The bill amends the General Laws regarding child support, specifically allowing for the continuation of support beyond the age of emancipation under certain conditions. It permits the court to order support up to the age of 21, or 23 if the child is enrolled in an educational program, and indefinitely for a child with a severe physical or mental impairment, considering various factors. The bill also provides for the appointment of an attorney or guardian ad litem to represent the interests of a minor or dependent child in support, custody, and visitation matters, detailing their duties and the process for obtaining confidential healthcare information. Additionally, the bill allows for the review and alteration of support decrees, stating that incarceration should not be considered voluntary unemployment for the purposes of establishing or modifying child support.

The bill further outlines the enforcement and modification of child support orders, including the continuation of wage withholding for arrears after emancipation and the suspension of orders once arrears are paid. It allows for the modification or suspension of support orders for incarcerated noncustodial parents and excludes those incarcerated for criminal nonsupport or civil contempt. The bill also includes provisions for assigning tangible personal property to satisfy arrears, health insurance coverage in support orders, temporary support orders, community service alternatives, and potential reimbursement from grandparents in certain cases. It mandates the recording of all support orders and the updating of personal information for enforcement purposes, establishes service of process procedures, and sets the effective date upon passage, extending support payments up to the ages of 21 or 23 under specified conditions.

Statutes affected:
7167: 15-5-16.2