HB 19-1215 Summary

• Implements Colorado Child Support Commission recommendations to update child support guidelines, including revised income thresholds, minimum payment amounts ($10 for obligors with income below $650/month), and expanded low-income adjustment provisions effective July 1, 2020

• Adds definition of "mandatory school fees" (lab fees, book fees, computer fees, testing fees, supply fees) as shareable expenses between parents proportional to income, excluding uniforms, meals, and extracurricular activities

• Changes underemployment standards to clarify parents in full-time or part-time educational/vocational programs reasonably intended to increase income cannot be deemed underemployed, and establishes detailed factors for imputing potential income

• Creates administrative lien and levy procedures allowing state child support enforcement agencies to attach obligor bank accounts for past-due child support, and establishes new Child Support DRA Fee Cash Fund for program operations

• Requires child support commission to review guidelines at least once every four years and submit recommendations to Governor and General Assembly; increases county DRA fee threshold from $500 to $550 and adjusts collection fees