HB 25-1159 — Child Support Commission Recommendations
Status: Governor Signed (May 31, 2025)
Introduced: January 29, 2025
Purpose / Intent
HB 25-1159 is titled “Child Support Commission Recommendations.” Its stated purpose is to implement policy and statutory changes proposed by a state Child Support Commission intended to improve the administration, accuracy, fairness, and enforceability of the child support system. The bill represents the legislature’s response to the Commission’s findings and recommendations.
Key points and likely scope
The full bill text is not included in the materials provided. Based on the title and common outputs of child‑support commissions, HB 25-1159 likely does one or more of the following (the items below are potential components commonly found in such implementing legislation; confirm against the enacted text for exact provisions):
- Updates child support guidelines or the formula for calculating support (income definitions, work‑related deductions, parenting time adjustments).
- Revises procedures for establishing, modifying, and enforcing orders (including timelines, notice requirements, and evidence standards).
- Changes definitions or treatment of income sources (self‑employment, bonuses, unemployment, public benefits).
- Modifies policies on medical support, childcare costs, and extraordinary expenses.
- Improves enforcement mechanisms (income withholding, tax refund intercepts, license suspension, contempt procedures).
- Addresses arrears management (interest, offsets, repayment plans, potential partial forgiveness or compromise procedures).
- Enhances interagency data sharing and administrative processes to speed case processing (e.g., cooperation with Department of Revenue, workforce agencies).
- Provides new protections for low‑income obligors (self‑support reserve, minimum support floors, or hardship provisions).
- Directs agency rulemaking, reporting requirements, or creates implementation timelines and appropriations if needed.
Please consult the enacted bill text for which of the above were adopted and the exact statutory language.
Who is affected
- Parents and caregivers involved in child support cases (both obligors and obligees).
- Children who receive support.
- State agencies that administer child support (e.g., the state child support enforcement agency, courts, Department of Revenue).
- Employers (if changes to income withholding or reporting are made).
- Attorneys and advocates working in family law and public assistance.
Legislative history & timeline
- Introduced in the House: 2025-01-29 (assigned to Health & Human Services).
- Passed House with amendments and through committees (Feb–Apr 2025).
- Transmitted to Senate and moved through Health & Human Services and Appropriations (Apr–May 2025).
- Passed Senate (May 5, 2025) and returned to the House for signatures.
- Sent to Governor: May 15, 2025.
- Governor Signed: May 31, 2025.
Sponsors
Primary sponsors listed include Junie Joseph, Regina English, Kyle Mullica, and Scott Bright. Numerous cosponsors from both chambers supported the bill.
Next steps / Where to read the full law
Because the summary above describes likely areas of change but not the enacted statutory language, review the official enrolled bill or session law for precise provisions, effective dates, and any fiscal appropriations. These are available on the state legislature’s website or the governor’s legislation portal (search “HB 25-1159” or “Child Support Commission Recommendations”).
