The Title IV-D agency must create and rule on a data-match system for financial institutions, may join with other states and vendors, and financial institutions helping in good faith get liability protection.
Sec. 231.307. FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DATA MATCHES. (a) The Title IV-D agency shall develop a system meeting the requirements of federal law (42 U.S.C. Sections 666(a)(4) and (17)) for the exchange of data with financial institutions doing business in the state to identify an account of an obligor owing past-due child support and to enforce support obligations against the obligor, including the imposition of a lien and a levy and execution on an obligor's assets held in financial institutions as required by federal law (42 U.S.C. Section 666(c)(1)(G)). (b) The Title IV-D agency by rule shall establish procedures for data matches authorized under this section. (c) The Title IV-D agency may enter into an agreement with one or more states to create a consortium for data matches authorized under this section. The Title IV-D agency may contract with a vendor selected by the consortium to perform data matches with financial institutions. (d) A financial institution providing information or responding to a notice of child support lien or levy provided under Subchapter G, Chapter 157, or otherwise acting in good faith to comply with the Title IV-D agency's procedures under this section may not be liable under any federal or state law for any damages that arise from those acts. (e) In this section: (1) "Financial institution" has the meaning assigned by Section 157.311; and (2) "Account" has the meaning assigned by Section 157.311. (f) A financial institution participating in data matches authorized by this section may provide the Title IV-D agency an address for the purpose of service of notices or process required in actions under this section or Subchapter G, Chapter 157. (g) This section does not apply to an insurer subject to the reporting requirements under Section 231.015. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 911, Sec. 79, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 556, Sec. 58, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1023, Sec. 57, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 508 (H.B. 1674), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2011.