FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 418

                                  C 440 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Armstrong, Schmidt, Holm, Brekke, Sutherland, Locke, Winsley and Todd; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Establishing a child support schedule commission.

House Committe on Judiciary

Senate Committee on Judiciary

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Child support obligations in Washington may be established in a dissolution of marriage proceeding, in a paternity action under the Uniform Parentage Act or in a child support proceeding under a child support law enacted in 1984.  Child support may be determined through negotiation between the parties or may be set by the court.  The dissolution of marriage law provides that the court may award child support that is "reasonable or necessary."  The Uniform Parentage Act sets forth specific elements that are to be considered in determining the level of support owed by the non-custodial parent.

In 1982, the Superior Court Judges Association adopted voluntary guidelines for use by superior court judges in setting support awards.  The Governor's Executive Task Force on Support Enforcement has recommended that the legislature adopt a mandatory statutory child support schedule.

SUMMARY:

The Child Support Schedule Commission is established.  The commission members include the secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services and nine other members, seven of whom are appointed by the governor.  The appointed members include a superior court judge, two attorneys, two individuals with interest or experience in child support economic data, and two persons who represent the affected populations.  The administrator for the courts and the attorney general are also members.  The Office of Support Enforcement will provide clerical assistance to the commission.

The commission must recommend a child support schedule to the legislature by November 1, 1987.  The schedule must be based on updated economic data for Washington, provide for changes in child rearing costs based on a child's age, consider the need to provide funding for a child's primary residence, provide for health care and child care expenses, and consider the cost of living in each county.  The commission is also directed to determine the type of income that should be considered, net or gross, and establish a mechanism for taking into account voluntary unemployment or underemployment and a parent's variable income.

The superior court of each county is required to adopt a child support schedule by August 1, 1987.

The act expires July 1, 1988.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 76  19

      Senate    35    10 (Senate amended)

      House 89   9 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:May 18, 1987