SECTION 55.1. Agency and Agency Attorneys in Child Support Cases

(a) The Office of the Attorney General is designated by Texas law as the state's Title IV-D Agency to perform the functions and provide the services required by the Social Security Act, title IV, part D; 42 United States Code §§651, et seq.; and 45 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 300-399 (hereafter IV-D services); as these federal statutes and regulations now exist or may in the future be amended. In providing services required by federal and state law, the Title IV-D Agency may:

(1) determine which services and remedies are appropriate in each case;

(2) employ attorneys to represent the interests of the State of Texas in providing such services;

(3) contract with private attorneys to provide services in IV-D cases; and

(4) appear as a party in any legal proceeding in any trial or appellate court.

(b) The Title IV-D Agency shall inform all recipients of IV-D services that attorneys providing services under this chapter represent the State of Texas, but do not represent any individual.

Source Note: The provisions of this §55.1 adopted to be effective November 30, 2000, 25 TexReg 11645