HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3422        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4045

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Adrianne Pusateri Ramos

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to establishing a special commission to study child support.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3422        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4045

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

An Act relative to establishing a special commission to study child support.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to establish a special commission to study the child support system in the commonwealth, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

(a) There shall be established a special commission, pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws, to study child support and recommend any improvements to the child support system in the commonwealth.

(b) The special commission shall be comprised of the following members: the chairs of the joint committee on the judiciary or their designees, who shall serve as co-chairs; the chairs of the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities or their designees; 1 member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the president of the senate; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Bar Association, who shall have experience in family law and child support matters; 1 member appointed by the chief justice of the probate and family court; and the commissioner of the department of revenue or their designee, whom shall be from the department of revenue.

(c) The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) analysis on the economic implications of child support on families in the commonwealth; (ii) analysis on the economic implications of nonpayment of child support; (iii) analysis of child support collections and unpaid child support; (iv) a review of all enforcement mechanisms and the impact of such mechanisms on lower socio-economic families and families with incarcerated obligors; (v) comprehensive data gathered on child support to inform policy recommendations; and (vi) any recommendations on changes to child support in the commonwealth.

(d) The commission shall prepare a report detailing the results of the study, along with any recommendations and any proposed standards and legislation necessary to carry out its recommendations. The report shall be submitted to the: (i) joint committee on the judiciary; (ii) joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities; and (iii) clerks of the house of representatives and senate not later than December 31, 2026.