Relating to the failure to pay child support by certain biological fathers; creating a criminal offense.

HB 4492 creates a criminal offense for biological fathers who fail to pay child support for six months or longer for children born to mothers who were unable to access abortion services during pregnancy. It classifies this as a Class B misdemeanor (minimum 180-day jail term) for first offenses, escalating to a Class A misdemeanor (minimum one year) for second offenses, and a state jail felony for two or more prior offenses. The bill allows courts to reduce jail time if the father consents to a voluntary vasectomy, and establishes an affirmative defense if the father supported the mother’s efforts to access abortion services. This law applies only to child support arrears accruing on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025).