HB4213 - Relating to the accrual of interest on overdue child support.

      By: Dutton H.B. No. 4213       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the accrual of interest on overdue child support.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 157.265, Family Code, is amended to read   as follows:          Sec. 157.265.  ACCRUAL OF INTEREST ON CHILD SUPPORT.  (a)     Interest accrues on the portion of delinquent child support that is   greater than the amount of the monthly periodic support obligation   at the interest rate determined under Section 304.003, Finance   Code, [ rate of six percent simple interest per year ] from the date   the support is delinquent until the date the support is paid or the   arrearages are confirmed and reduced to money judgment.          (b)  Interest accrues on child support arrearages that have   been confirmed and reduced to money judgment as provided in this   subchapter at the interest rate determined under Section 304.003,   Finance Code, [ rate of six percent simple interest per year ] from   the date the order is rendered until the date the judgment is paid.          (c)  Interest accrues on a money judgment for retroactive or   lump-sum child support at the interest rate determined under   Section 304.003, Finance Code, [ annual rate of six percent simple   interest ] from the date the order is rendered until the judgment is   paid.          (d)  Subsection (a) applies to a child support payment that   becomes due on or after January 1, 2026  [ 2002 ].          (e)  Child support arrearages in existence on January 1, 2026     [ 2002 ], that were not confirmed and reduced to a money judgment on   or before that date accrue interest as follows:                (1)  before January 1, 2026  [ 2002 ], the arrearages are   subject to the interest rate that applied to the arrearages before   that date; and                (2)  on and after January 1, 2026  [ 2002 ], the   cumulative total of arrearages and interest accumulated on those   arrearages described by Subdivision (1) is subject to Subsection   (a).          (f)  Subsections (b) and (c) apply to a money judgment for   child support rendered on or after January 1, 2026  [ 2002 ]. A money   judgment for child support rendered before that date is governed by   the law in effect on the date the judgment was rendered, and the   former law is continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.