H.B. No. 1980 amends the Texas Family Code to establish provisions for retroactive child support, allowing courts to order such support beginning from the date of a child's conception. The bill introduces new subsections that clarify the conditions under which retroactive support can be ordered, including a presumption that it is in the child's best interest to start support from conception, as determined by medical evidence or other relevant testimony. Additionally, the court may require the obligor to cover an equitable portion of prenatal and postnatal health care expenses for both the mother and child, and it mandates that the court confirm the total amount of retroactive support owed.

The bill also modifies existing language regarding paternity and child support obligations, ensuring that courts can order retroactive support when establishing paternity. It repeals a previous subsection related to this process and specifies that the changes apply only to orders and acknowledgments of paternity made after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the support framework for children by ensuring that financial responsibilities are recognized from the earliest stages of conception.

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