S.B. No. 942 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 to Section 154.131, which state that it is presumed reasonable and in the child's best interest for a court to order retroactive support from conception, based on medical evidence or other presented evidence. 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. The court is also mandated to confirm the total amount of retroactive child support owed.

Furthermore, the bill modifies Section 160.636(g) to clarify that courts can order retroactive child support when establishing paternity, based on a valid acknowledgment of paternity. It repeals Section 160.636(h) and specifies that the changes apply only to orders and acknowledgments rendered or executed after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 154.131, Family Code 160.636 (Family Code 160, Family Code 154)
Senate Committee Report: Family Code 154.131, Family Code 160.636 (Family Code 160, Family Code 154)
Engrossed: Family Code 154.131, Family Code 160.636 (Family Code 160, Family Code 154)