The bill, H.B. No. 175, 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. It 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 healthcare 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 Section 160.636, clarifying that courts can order retroactive child support when establishing paternity or support obligations. It repeals a previous subsection and specifies that the changes apply only to orders and acknowledgments of paternity made after the bill's effective date. The act will take effect 91 days after the end of the legislative session.

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