The bill amends several sections of the Child Protection Act, Juvenile Justice Act, and Children in Need of Supervision Act to provide courts with more discretion regarding child support obligations for parents when their child is placed in a court-ordered setting. Specifically, the bill changes the language from "shall" to "may," allowing courts to decide whether to order parents or legally obligated individuals to pay for the support and treatment of the child. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement for courts to mandate employment or community service for those who are not fully employed, thereby eliminating a potential burden on parents who may be struggling financially.

Furthermore, the bill includes conforming amendments to ensure that the support obligations, if ordered, align with existing child support guidelines. It specifies that if a support obligation is established, it must adhere to the presumptive child support amounts and requires the court to document any deviations from these guidelines. The bill aims to streamline the process of determining financial responsibilities while considering the circumstances of the parents, ultimately promoting a more flexible approach to child support in the context of court-ordered placements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 14-3-429, 14-3-435, 14-6-229, 14-6-236, 14-6-429, 14-6-435, 21-13-315