H.B. No. 154
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the termination of the parent-child relationship and
  the duty to pay child support in circumstances involving mistaken
  paternity.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 161.005(e) and (i), Family Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (e)  A petition under Subsection (c) must be filed not later
  than the second [first] anniversary of the date on which the
  petitioner becomes aware of the facts alleged in the petition
  indicating that the petitioner is not the child's genetic father.
         (i)  An order under Subsection (h) terminating the
  parent-child relationship ends the petitioner's obligation for
  future support of the child as of the date the order is rendered, as
  well as the obligation to pay interest that accrues after that date
  on the basis of a child support arrearage or money judgment for a
  child support arrearage existing on that date.  The order does not
  affect the petitioner's obligations for support of the child
  incurred before that date [or the petitioner's obligation to pay
  interest that accrues after that date on the basis of child support
  arrearages existing on that date].  Those obligations are
  enforceable until satisfied by any means available for the
  enforcement of child support other than contempt.
         SECTION 2.  Section 161.005, Family Code, as amended by this
  Act, applies only to a suit affecting the parent-child relationship
  pending in a trial court on the effective date of this Act or filed
  on or after that date. A suit affecting the parent-child
  relationship in which a final order is rendered before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the order was rendered, and the former law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 154 was passed by the House on May 2,
  2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 147, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 154 was passed by the Senate on May
  17, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 29, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor