S.B. No. 1403 aims to improve the administration and enforcement of child support by the Title IV-D agency in Texas. Key provisions include exempting the agency from mediation or arbitration clauses in child support orders it was not a party to and allowing the agency to halt enforcement against obligors if the obligee is incarcerated for family violence against a child covered by the order. The bill also establishes new procedures for administrative adjustments of child support obligations during incarceration, ensuring compliance with due process requirements for notice and service. Additionally, it expands the agency's authority to file investigation reports on a party's financial resources and permits agency attorneys to represent it in court without prior notice to the involved parties.

The bill amends various sections of the Family Code, specifying that the changes apply only to actions taken on or after the effective date of the Act, September 1, 2025, while maintaining existing laws for cases initiated before this date. It also mandates that all Title IV-D brochures be made available online and at courthouses by December 1, 2025, enhancing accessibility to information regarding child support services. Overall, these amendments are designed to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and uphold the rights of all parties involved in child support cases while ensuring a smooth transition to the new legal standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 201.1045, Family Code 231.002, Family Code 231.016, Family Code 231.1015, Family Code 231.1016, Family Code 231.104, Family Code 231.109, Family Code 231.118, Family Code 231.121, Family Code 231.302, Family Code 232.006, Family Code 233.006, Family Code 233.007, Family Code 233.0155, Family Code 234.012 (Family Code 233, Family Code 232, Family Code 234, Family Code 201, Family Code 231)
Senate Committee Report: Family Code 201.1045, Family Code 231.002, Family Code 231.016, Family Code 231.1015, Family Code 231.1016, Family Code 231.104, Family Code 231.109, Family Code 231.118, Family Code 231.121, Family Code 231.302, Family Code 232.006, Family Code 233.006, Family Code 233.007, Family Code 233.0155, Family Code 234.012 (Family Code 233, Family Code 232, Family Code 234, Family Code 201, Family Code 231)
Engrossed: Family Code 201.1045, Family Code 231.002, Family Code 231.016, Family Code 231.1015, Family Code 231.1016, Family Code 231.104, Family Code 231.109, Family Code 231.118, Family Code 231.121, Family Code 231.302, Family Code 232.006, Family Code 233.006, Family Code 233.007, Family Code 233.0155, Family Code 234.012 (Family Code 233, Family Code 232, Family Code 234, Family Code 201, Family Code 231)