EHB 1014
SignedHouse
Child support schedule
Implementing recommendations of the 2023 child support schedule work group.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill implements recommendations from the 2023 Child Support Schedule Work Group to revise Washington’s child support calculation rules. It increases the self-support reserve to $2,200, caps support at 45% of net income with new flexibility for hardship exceptions, and creates a new administrative process for temporarily reducing (abating) support to $50 per child per month when a parent is undergoing court-ordered behavioral health treatment. It also updates income rules, verification requirements, and enforcement provisions.
- Caps child support obligations at 45% of a parent’s net income for all children, but allows deviation if it would be unjust—e.g., if it leaves the custodial household unable to meet the child’s basic needs.
- Increases the self-support reserve from $1,250 to $2,200 (180% of federal poverty level for one person), meaning a paying parent’s net income cannot fall below this level unless a minimum of $50 per child per month applies.
- Sets a presumptive minimum child support obligation of $50 per child per month for parents with income below $2,200/month, unless it would be unjust.
- Creates a new abatement process allowing child support obligations to be reduced to $50 per child per month for up to six months when a paying parent is undergoing court-ordered behavioral health treatment (incapacitation), with a one-time lifetime limit per person.
- Expands income verification requirements to include tax returns for the prior two years and current paystubs, and clarifies which income sources are included or excluded (e.g., new spouse’s income is excluded, but overtime may be included under certain conditions).
- Requires courts and administrative orders to include language about abatement eligibility for incarceration or incapacitation, and allows DSHS to initiate abatement reviews administratively.
Who is affected
- Parents paying child support — Parents who are required to pay child support—especially those with low income, high-income parents, or those with multiple children—will be affected by changes to income calculations, support caps, and minimum obligations.
- Parents receiving child support — Parents receiving child support may see changes in how much they receive, especially if the paying parent has a new partner, high income, or experiences a change in circumstances like incarceration or behavioral health treatment.
- Parents of children with special needs — Parents whose children have special medical, educational, or psychological needs may see adjustments in how additional expenses are shared between parents.
- Parents experiencing incarceration or incapacitation — Parents who are incarcerated or undergoing court-ordered behavioral health treatment may qualify for temporary reduction (abatement) of their child support obligation to $50 per child per month for up to six months.
- Department of Social and Health Services — The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will implement and administer new administrative processes for reviewing and abating support obligations, including conducting hearings and managing the Washington State Support Registry.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Increases the self-support reserve from $1,250 to $2,200 (180% of federal poverty level), protecting paying parents with very low incomes from being driven into deeper poverty—reducing reliance on public assistance and enabling more sustainable long-term support capacity.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 26.19.065(2)(b), (c)Creates administrative abatement process for parents undergoing court-ordered behavioral health treatment, reducing barriers to accessing care and preventing punitive enforcement (e.g., jail, license suspension) during treatment—supporting recovery and long-term stability.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 5–7 (NEW)Explicitly excludes income of new spouses or partners from calculations, preventing new partners’ income from artificially inflating support obligations—a protection that especially benefits low-income parents in new relationships.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 2, RCW 26.19.071(4)(a)Refines income imputation rules to better reflect actual earning capacity for recently incarcerated, recently released, or low-experience parents—reducing arbitrary overestimates that have historically led to unpayable arrears.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 2, RCW 26.19.071(6)(v), (vi)Expands ability to add abatement language to existing orders for incapacitation or incarceration, allowing retroactive relief and reducing unnecessary enforcement actions—improving fairness and reducing jail time for nonpayment.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 8, RCW 26.09.170(6)
Potential Concerns (5)
Caps child support obligations at 45% of net income may reduce payments to custodial households when the paying parent has high income or multiple children, especially if courts find 'good cause' to apply the cap strictly—even when it leaves custodial households unable to meet children’s basic needs.
FinancialRef: Sec. 1, RCW 26.19.065(1)Presumptive minimum of $50 per child per month for parents earning below $2,200/month may result in insufficient support for children in low-income households—especially those with special needs—because $50 is far below actual cost of child-rearing and does not adjust for number of children beyond the minimum.
FinancialLean peopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 26.19.065(2)(a)Abatement of support to $50 per child per month for up to six months during court-ordered behavioral health treatment may cause significant short-term income loss for custodial households, especially when combined with the one-time lifetime limit—meaning families with repeated crises (e.g., relapse, co-occurring disorders) lose eligibility for relief and face repeated financial hardship.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 5–7 (NEW)Mandates tax returns for two prior years and current paystubs for income verification, increasing administrative burden and compliance costs for low-income and gig/contract workers who may lack formal documentation, potentially delaying or reducing support orders.
FinancialRef: Sec. 2, RCW 26.19.071(2)Includes overtime and second-job income in gross income calculations, which may increase support obligations for low-wage workers who rely on irregular or temporary overtime—potentially penalizing those trying to increase earnings without guarantee of sustained hours.
FinancialRef: Sec. 2, RCW 26.19.071(3)(e), (g)
Who Is Most Affected
Low-income paying parents benefit significantly from the increased self-support reserve and abatement options during behavioral health treatment—reducing risk of incarceration, license suspension, and unmanageable arrears. However, those with multiple children or high arrears may still face hardship if abatement is used only once.
Custodial parents—especially single mothers in low-income households—may receive less support when paying parents qualify for abatement or when the $50 minimum applies. However, they benefit from reduced enforcement actions during treatment and more reliable income when paying parents are stable.
DSHS gains administrative authority to review and abate support obligations, reducing enforcement costs and jail days—but faces new burdens in managing abatement reviews and potential litigation over eligibility.
Parents with children who have special needs may be harmed if the $50 minimum or abatement periods fail to account for additional medical, therapeutic, or educational costs—unless courts exercise discretion to deviate for special expenses.
Parents incarcerated or undergoing behavioral health treatment benefit from clear abatement pathways and one-time lifetime relief—but risk losing future flexibility if they experience repeated crises or relapses.