House bill would cap child-support garnishments at 25% for low-income Marylanders

Delegate Kim Taylor told the committee that HB 142 would cap wage garnishments for child support at 25% of disposable earnings for obligors earning below roughly 250% of the federal poverty guideline (about $40,000 a year), arguing the change would help low-wage parents remain employed and therefore more likely to pay.

Workforce and community organizations said they see workers quit or lose jobs when garnishments reach 50% or more. April Hamilton, an obligor and recipient, described years of wage garnishment she said left her unable to get ahead and urged relief to permit work, education and family stability.

Opponents, including the Maryland State Bar Association family-law section, warned the committee that the bill imposes a narrower "disposable earnings" standard for garnishment than the court's calculation of actual income used to set child-support orders and could create default arrears if garnishments fall below judicially ordered amounts. They also objected to an estimated fiscal impact; the department's fiscal note cited a net cost in the first year (sponsor referenced a roughly $1.3 million estimate), and sponsors said they are working with the Department of Human Services to reconcile assumptions and consider prospective implementation tied to improved income-data access.

Committee members discussed possible amendments and the prospect of working through DHS to reduce administrative costs and improve income verification before broad implementation. No vote was taken during the hearing.