CHAPTER 236. COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR CHILD SUPPORT COLLECTION SERVICES - Texas Statutes

FAMILY CODE

TITLE 5. THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE

PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP

SUBTITLE D. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

CHAPTER 236. COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR CHILD SUPPORT COLLECTION

SERVICES

Sec. 236.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "council" means the

State Council on Competitive Government.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 420, Sec. 27, eff. Sept. 1,

1997. Renumbered from Family Code Sec. 234.001 by Acts 1999, 76th

Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 19.01(25), eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 236.002. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COUNCIL. (a) The council

shall:

(1) establish an initiative called "Kids Can't Wait" to increase

child support enforcement;

(2) identify child support enforcement functions performed by

the Title IV-D agency that may be competitively bid;

(3) establish guidelines for referral of child support

enforcement cases to a contractor;

(4) after consulting with the Title IV-D agency, make

recommendations regarding competitive bidding of child support

enforcement functions that are identified under Subdivision (2);

(5) consider the benefits of the state's participation in an

electronic parent locator network or a similar national service

designed to locate parents who owe child support;

(6) study the feasibility of cost recovery options in child

support collection actions for children who do not receive public

assistance; and

(7) engage in other activities necessary for the administration

of this chapter.

(b) The Title IV-D agency shall coordinate with the council

regarding competitive bidding of child support enforcement

functions identified under this section.

(c) A member of the council may designate an employee of the

state agency represented by the member to perform any of the

member's powers or duties under this section.

(d) The Title IV-D agency shall cooperate with the council if

requested by the council.

(e) The council and the Title IV-D agency shall report not later

than October 1, 1998, to the presiding officer of each house of

the legislature the results of the council's efforts under this

section.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 420, Sec. 27, eff. Sept. 1,

1997. Renumbered from Family Code Sec. 234.002 by Acts 1999, 76th

Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 19.01(25), eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 236.003. CHILD SUPPORT COLLECTION AGREEMENT. The Title

IV-D agency or a contractor awarded a contract under this chapter

to collect child support may enter into an agreement with a

person liable for the payment of child support. The agreement may

relate to any matter that may be adjudicated by a court,

including:

(1) the determination of paternity;

(2) the determination of the amount of child support due;

(3) the method of making child support payments;

(4) the imposition of income garnishment or withholding;

(5) the payment of fees;

(6) the reimbursement of costs; and

(7) other child support enforcement matters permitted by state

or federal law.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 420, Sec. 27, eff. Sept. 1,

1997. Renumbered from Family Code Sec. 234.003 by Acts 1999, 76th

Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 19.01(25), eff. Sept. 1, 1999.