Sec. 231.117. UNEMPLOYED AND UNDEREMPLOYED OBLIGORS. (a) The Title IV-D agency shall refer to appropriate state and local entities that provide employment services any unemployed or underemployed obligor who is in arrears in court-ordered child support payments.

(b) A referral under Subsection (a) may include:

(1) skills training and job placement through:

(A) the Texas Workforce Commission; or

(B) the agency responsible for the food stamp employment and training program (7 U.S.C. Section 2015(d));

(2) referrals to education and literacy classes; and

(3) counseling regarding:

(A) substance abuse;

(B) parenting skills;

(C) life skills; and

(D) mediation techniques.

(c) The Title IV-D agency may require an unemployed or underemployed obligor to complete the training, classes, or counseling to which the obligor is referred under this section. The agency shall suspend under Chapter 232 the license of an obligor who fails to comply with the requirements of this subsection.

(d) A court or the Title IV-D agency may issue an order that requires the parent to either work, have a plan to pay overdue child support, or participate in work activities appropriate to pay the overdue support.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 7.20(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1072, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Renumbered from Sec. 231.115 by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 19.01(23), eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Renumbered from Sec. 231.115 and amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 556, Sec. 54, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.