H.B. No. 847
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the enforcement of an order to pay child support by
  contempt and the awarding of costs and fees in certain proceedings.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 157.162(b), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  A finding that the respondent is not in contempt does
  not preclude the court from awarding the petitioner court costs and
  reasonable attorney's fees or ordering any other enforcement
  remedy, including rendering a money judgment, posting a bond or
  other security, or withholding income.
         SECTION 2.  Sections 157.162(d) and (e), Family Code, are
  repealed.
         SECTION 3.  The repeal by this Act of Sections 157.162(d) and
  (e), Family Code, applies to a hearing to enforce an order in a suit
  affecting the parent-child relationship that commences on or after
  the effective date of this Act. A hearing that commences before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the hearing commenced, and the former law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  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. 847 was passed by the House on April
  18, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 847 was passed by the Senate on May
  22, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor