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HD 349

An Act modernizing child support

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Chris Worrell

Massachusetts bill updates child support calculations, income definitions, and enforcement methods to reflect modern family structures and economic conditions while improving payment processing technology.

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Bill Summary · HD 349

Legislative bill overview

HD 349 modernizes Massachusetts' child support system by updating calculation methods, income definitions, and enforcement procedures to reflect contemporary family structures and economic conditions. The bill revises how parental income is determined, adjusts guidelines to account for shared custody arrangements, and implements technological improvements for payment processing and compliance tracking.

Why is this important

Child support directly affects the financial security of hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts children and families. Modernizing outdated guidelines—some based on economic data from decades past—can ensure payments more accurately reflect current living costs and parental earning patterns, while also reducing litigation costs and improving collection rates through better enforcement mechanisms.

Potential points of contention

  • Income calculation disputes: Expanding what counts as "income" (bonuses, investments, self-employment) may increase litigation over how to fairly assess parental earning capacity, particularly affecting self-employed parents and gig workers
  • Shared custody implications: Adjusting formulas for 50/50 and other shared arrangements could shift financial obligations significantly, potentially disadvantaging lower-earning parents or those with primary caregiving responsibilities
  • Implementation costs: Modernizing enforcement technology and administrative systems requires state funding, raising questions about budget priorities and whether savings from improved collections justify upfront expenditures

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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