Texas Senate Passes Bill Requiring Child Support at Conception

Ted Cruz — Source: Ion Digital / Online Editor: Reagan Elam

A new bill passed by the Texas Senate could change when child support kicks in—and it’s got people talking.

Senate Bill 942, introduced by Republican Sen. Bryan Hughes (Mineola), was approved Wednesday in a 27-4 vote. The proposed law would require fathers to start paying child support from the date of conception, not just after the baby is born.

“This recognizes that the responsibility that the mom is bearing does not begin at birth, but starts months before that,” Hughes said, highlighting the medical expenses moms face during pregnancy.

During the discussion, Democratic Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (Austin) raised concerns about differing views on when life begins and questioned whether parents should start saving for potential child support once their sons become sexually active.

Hughes responded by saying the bill is about making sure moms aren’t left to handle all the costs of pregnancy on their own. “Expenses and medical care… arise before birth, and this recognizes that. This makes sure that the mother is taken care of, prenatal care and postnatal care,” he explained.

Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) also chimed in, sharing her personal story as an adoptive mom and saying the bill offers much-needed support. “Those costs don’t begin at birth. They begin before. And I appreciate the help that this is for women everywhere,” she said.

Next stop for SB 942? The Texas House!

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TX Senate Passes Bill Requiring Child Support at Conception