TX HB4492

Creates a new criminal offense for biological fathers who fail to pay child support for six months or longer, specifically when the child's mother was unable to access or receive abortion services during the pregnancy

First offense is a Class B misdemeanor with minimum 180 days confinement; second offense escalates to Class A misdemeanor with minimum one year confinement; third or subsequent offenses become a state jail felony

Courts may reduce the minimum confinement sentence for Class B and Class A misdemeanor convictions if the defendant consents to undergo a voluntary vasectomy

Provides an affirmative defense if the biological father supported the mother's efforts to access and receive abortion services during the pregnancy

Applies only to child support arrearages accruing on or after September 1, 2025