H.B. No. 3181 aims to enhance the enforcement of court orders regarding child possession and access, as well as to modify related orders in cases of contempt. The bill introduces a new section, 156.107, which allows a court to modify existing orders if a conservator is found in contempt for denying court-ordered possession or access to a child, particularly if they have a history of similar contempt findings. Additionally, it amends existing sections of the Family Code, including 157.165, which now prohibits community supervision for respondents found in contempt for failing to comply with child access orders if they have a prior contempt finding.

Further amendments include provisions that prevent the waiver of attorney's fees for respondents with previous contempt findings related to child access, and it establishes that additional periods of possession or access must be granted to compensate for denied access, with specific conditions based on prior contempt findings. The bill also repeals certain existing provisions and clarifies that the new regulations will apply to pending and future cases, with an effective date set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 157.165, Family Code 157.167, Family Code 157.168 (Family Code 157)