The bill amends the child support obligation schedule in South Dakota, specifically revising section 25-7-6.2. It establishes that the child support obligation must be determined based on the combined monthly net incomes of both parents, with the noncustodial parent's share establishing the child support order. The self-support reserve amount has been increased from eight hundred seventy-one dollars to one thousand one hundred forty-eight dollars per month, which accounts for the subsistence needs of the obligated parent with limited ability to pay. Additionally, if the noncustodial parent's obligation falls within the specified range, it will be compared to their proportionate share based on both parents' incomes, with the lesser amount determining the child support order.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a provision stating that a noncustodial parent who is incarcerated for more than one hundred eighty days is obligated to pay no less than the minimum base obligation amount established in the schedule. The language regarding the presumption that the custodial parent's share is spent directly for the benefit of the child has been retained, ensuring clarity in the allocation of child support funds.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/07/2026: 25-7-6.2