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Senate debates major overhaul of child support guidelines; senators split over increases and phase-in
Summary
A lengthy floor debate centered on Second Substitute SB 23, which raises child support tables (including new tables up to $20,000 joint monthly income), phases in changes to limit court runs, and alters how childcare costs are allocated; supporters said it corrects a 14-year-old undercount, opponents warned of hardship for low-income payers.
Sen. Gregory A. Bell, sponsor of the second substitute to Senate Bill 23, told the Senate that the measure updates Utah’s child support guidelines for the first time in 14 years, expands the income tables up to $20,000 in combined monthly income and limits adjustments to a maximum 25% increase from committee recommendations to avoid sudden spikes.
"These tables haven't been adjusted in 14 years," Bell said as he presented charts and committee work that he said justify raising awards for single-child awards and expanding the table range. He described a phase-in that would prevent a rush to court: existing orders would generally remain on the old tables through 2009–2010 and changes to an order would only be permitted when the recalculated award increased by a…
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