HCS HB 493 -- CHILD SUPPORT

SPONSOR:  Franz (Baker, 123)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Family Services by a vote of 5 to 4.

This substitute allows a parent to stop paying child support when
his or her child reaches 21 years of age or is at least 18 years
of age and receives two failing grades in any one semester when
enrolled in at least 12 credit hours of higher education.  A
parent who has a child diagnosed with a developmental or physical
disability by two licensed physicians after the child reaches 18
years of age will not be required to pay support when the child
reaches 21 years of age.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill does not lessen the
requirements for parents paying child support but rather is a
move toward fairness for divorced parents to be able to make the
same financial choices for their children in college as married
parents are allowed.  The bill would help courts interpret the
current law more accurately.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Baker (123); and
Rich Myers.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that if the bill
passes, the courts will be flooded with claims to terminate child
support payments.

Testifying against the bill was Carla Holste.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:19 am