FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 6581

                          C 163 L 98

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Revising standards for determining child support obligations.

Sponsors:  Senators Roach and Fairley.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

House Committee on Law & Justice

Background:  The Washington child support schedule establishes an absolute minimum support amount of $25 per child per month for parents with a combined monthly net income of $600 or less.  The Western District of the U.S. District Court has held that the Washington statute conflicts with federal law which requires a rebuttable presumption that the award is the correct amount of support.  The Washington Court of Appeals recently ruled that the Washington statute is preempted by the federal statutes.

Summary:  When the combined monthly net income of the parents is $600 or less, a support order of not less than $25 per child per month must be entered unless the obligor establishes that it would be unjust or inappropriate.  The court takes into consideration the best interests of the child and the circumstances of each parent.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 44 0

House     96 0

Effective:  June 11, 1998