HB 555 Summary: Child Support Law Changes for Caretakers

• Defines "caretaker" in child support and paternity law as any non-parent individual with whom a child resides for at least 30 consecutive days and is the primary caregiver, or those with legal custody, public assistance roles, or guardianship status.

• Allows caretakers to file Title IV-D child support applications to obtain support for children in their care and to be made parties to paternity and child support proceedings.

• Establishes a "redirection" process enabling child support enforcement agencies to redirect existing child support payments from a parent to a caretaker when the caretaker is determined to be the child's primary caregiver.

• Creates investigation and notice procedures for redirecting support, including 14-day objection periods and provisions for terminating redirection when caregiver status changes.

• Effective date is six months after enactment, allowing time for the Department of Job and Family Services to implement necessary system changes and create rules and forms.