The bill, H.B. No. 187, proposes amendments to the Family Code regarding retroactive child support obligations for men determined to be the fathers of children through adjudication or acknowledgment of paternity. It introduces a new section, 154.0091, which mandates that courts order retroactive child support payments starting from the first day of the calendar month in which the child's conception occurred. Additionally, the bill requires the father to reimburse the child's mother for various expenses incurred during gestation, delivery, and postpartum recovery, including medical expenses, necessary materials for the child's health and safety, and lost wages due to medical attention.

Furthermore, the bill modifies existing provisions by changing the language in Section 160.636(g) to require courts to order retroactive child support as outlined in the new section, rather than allowing it at the court's discretion. It also repeals Section 160.636(h) and clarifies that the changes apply only to orders and acknowledgments of paternity rendered or executed after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. The bill aims to ensure that fathers are held accountable for their financial responsibilities from the point of conception, thereby supporting the welfare of the child and the mother.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 160.636 (Family Code 160)