H.B. No. 557 amends the Texas Family Code to modify the enforcement of child support orders and the accrual of interest on child support arrearages. The bill introduces a new provision stating that a court cannot find a respondent in contempt for failing to pay child support if the respondent can provide satisfactory evidence of being current on payments or having a plan to become current, along with proof that any missed payments were due to third-party errors or circumstances beyond their control.

Additionally, the bill specifies that interest will not accrue on confirmed child support arrearages that have been reduced to a money judgment if the court determines that the respondent's failure to make timely payments was due to similar external factors. These changes apply only to hearings and judgments that commence on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 157.162 (Family Code 157)
House Committee Report: Family Code 157.162, Family Code 157.265 (Family Code 157)
Engrossed: Family Code 157.162, Family Code 157.265 (Family Code 157)