SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 2039
As of April 22, 2025
Title: An act relating to child support pass through.
Brief Description: Concerning child support pass through.
Sponsors: Representatives Macri, Gregerson and Ormsby.
Brief History: Passed House: 4/17/25, 56-40.
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 4/23/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Delays from January 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029, the requirement that the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) pass through to a family receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) all current child support collected each month.
  • Delays from January 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029, the requirement that DSHS disregard current child support when determining TANF eligibility and benefit amount. 
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Staff: Josh Hinman (786-7281)
Background:

Federal law requires each state to have a child support enforcement program that complies with federal requirements as a condition of receiving federal funds for child support enforcement and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). As a condition of receiving TANF benefits, a family must assign its rights to child support to the state during the months the family receives the benefits. Assigned child support collections are retained by the state and the federal government as partial reimbursement for TANF assistance.

 

State law currently requires the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to pass through up to $50 each month for families on TANF with one child and up to $100 each month for families on TANF with more than one child. Any amount collected above those thresholds is retained by the state, and a portion of that is remitted to the federal government for its share.

 

Child support passed through may be considered income for determining TANF eligibility and benefit amount.

 

In 2024, ESHB 1652 modified child support pass through and income disregard as follows, effective January 1, 2026:

  • requires DSHS to pass through all current child support it receives for a family receiving TANF; and
  • requires DSHS to disregard and not count as income any current child support when determining TANF eligibility and benefit amount.
Summary of Bill:

The child support pass through and income disregard is delayed by three and a half years, from January 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.