The bill, H.B. No. 1980, amends the Texas Family Code to allow courts to order retroactive child support starting from the date of a child's conception. It introduces new provisions that establish a presumption that it is in the best interest of the child for such support to be ordered, based on medical evidence or other testimony. Additionally, the bill allows courts to require obligors to cover an equitable portion of prenatal and postnatal health care expenses for both the mother and child, and mandates that courts confirm the total amount of retroactive child support owed.

Furthermore, the bill modifies existing language regarding paternity and child support obligations, clarifying that courts can order retroactive support when establishing paternity. It repeals a previous section related to this matter and specifies that the changes apply only to orders and acknowledgments of paternity made after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 154.131, Family Code 160.636 (Family Code 160, Family Code 154)