Sec. 154.1825. DENTAL CARE COVERAGE FOR CHILD. (a) In this section:

(1) "Accessibility" means the extent to which dental insurance coverage for a child provides for the availability of dental care within a reasonable traveling distance and time from the child's primary residence, as determined by the court.

(2) "Reasonable cost" has the meaning assigned by Section 154.1815(a).

(b) The court shall consider the cost, accessibility, and quality of dental insurance coverage available to the parties and shall give priority to dental insurance coverage available through the employment of one of the parties if the coverage is available at a reasonable cost to the obligor.

(c) In determining the manner in which dental care coverage for the child is to be ordered, the court shall render its order in accordance with the following priorities, unless a party shows good cause why a particular order is not in the best interest of the child:

(1) if dental insurance is available for the child through a parent's employment or membership in a union, trade association, or other organization at reasonable cost, the court shall order that parent to include the child in the parent's dental insurance; or

(2) if dental insurance is not available for the child under Subdivision (1) but is available to a parent from another source and at a reasonable cost, the court may order that parent to provide dental insurance for the child.

(d) If the parent ordered to provide dental insurance under Subsection (c)(1) or (2) is the obligee, the court shall order the obligor to pay the obligee, as additional child support, an amount equal to the actual cost of dental insurance for the child, but not to exceed a reasonable cost to the obligor. In calculating the actual cost of dental insurance for the child, if the obligee has other minor dependents covered under the same dental insurance plan, the court shall divide the total cost to the obligee for the insurance by the total number of minor dependents, including the child covered under the plan.

Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1150 (S.B. 550), Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2018.