The Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Division proposes amendments to 1 TAC §55.302 and §55.303 to clarify the definition of "date of hire" and to update changes to employer new hire reporting requirements. The proposed amendments are made pursuant to federal changes to section 453a of the Social Security Act, which outlines a new mandatory data requirement for employers when reporting new hire information to the State Directory of New Hires.

Alicia G. Key, Deputy Attorney General for the Child Support Division, has determined that for the first five years the amended sections as proposed are in effect, there will be no significant fiscal implications for state or local government.

Ms. Key has also determined that for each year of the first five years the amended sections as proposed are in effect, the public benefit as a result of the amended sections will be compliance with state and federal statutes.

Ms. Key has also determined that for the first five years the amended sections as proposed are in effect, there will be no significant fiscal implications for small businesses or individuals. In addition, there will be no local employment impact as a result of the amended sections as proposed.

Comments on the proposed amendments should be submitted to Kathy Shafer, Deputy Director, Legal Counsel Division, Child Support Division, Office of the Attorney General, (physical address) 5500 East Oltorf, Austin, Texas 78741 or (mailing address) P.O. Box 12017, Mail Code 044, Austin, Texas 78711-2017.

The proposed amendments are authorized under Texas Family Code §234.104, which provides the Office of the Attorney General with the authority to establish by rule procedures for reporting employee information.

The Texas Family Code, Chapters 231 and 234 are affected by the amended sections.