The bill seeks to amend the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to implement recommendations from the 2023 child support schedule work group, focusing on adjustments to child support obligations. Key changes include raising the maximum child support obligation from "forty-five" percent to "45" percent of a parent's net income and increasing the threshold for presumptive minimum support obligations from "one hundred twenty-five" percent to "180" percent of the federal poverty guideline for a one-person family. It also establishes that when a parent's income exceeds the self-support reserve of 180 percent, their child support obligations cannot reduce their income below this threshold, except for a minimum payment of $50 per child per month. The bill clarifies income sources for calculating child support, ensuring only the income of the parents is considered, and introduces new definitions related to parental incapacitation and military duties.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for abatement of support obligations for incapacitated individuals, allowing for a temporary reduction of support payments to $50 per month per child during court-ordered behavioral health treatment. It mandates that the Department of Social and Health Services review child support orders for potential abatement when notified of a person's incapacitation. The bill also updates the economic table for calculating monthly basic support obligations, raising the income threshold for support calculations from $1,000 to $2,200 for families with three or more children, and increases the combined monthly net income threshold from $12,000 to $50,000. These changes aim to create a more equitable child support system that reflects the financial realities of families while ensuring that obligations are fair and manageable.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 26.19.065, 26.19.071, 26.19.080, 26.09.170, 26.23.050, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056, 74.20A.059, 26.19.020
Engrossed Bill: 26.19.065, 26.19.071, 26.19.080, 26.09.170, 26.23.050, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056, 74.20A.059, 26.19.020