Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2581

Introduced
1/24/24  
Refer
1/24/24  

Caption

Eliminating the court's requirement to order child support be paid to the secretary when custody of a child is awarded to the secretary.

Impact

If enacted, HB2581 would impact various sections of existing child support laws, specifically K.S.A. 38-2234 and K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 38-2255, making significant changes to how child support payment requests are structured in the context of custody cases handled by state authorities. By eliminating the mandatory order for child support to be paid to the secretary in these circumstances, the bill could lead to shifts in financial responsibilities when custody is transferred to the state, which may affect how families interact with the child welfare system.

Summary

House Bill 2581 aims to amend existing child support regulations by eliminating the requirement for courts to order child support payments to be paid to the Kansas Secretary for Children and Families in cases where custody of the child is awarded to the secretary. This change is intended to streamline child support processes within the state's child welfare system. The bill's proponents, including the Kansas Department for Children and Families, argue that removing this requirement makes the process less cumbersome for the affected families while ensuring that child support responsibilities are still addressed where necessary.

Contention

Notably, there may be contention around the bill regarding the financial implications for both parents and the state. Some stakeholders might express concerns about whether this change adequately ensures the financial support of children who may already be in vulnerable circumstances. Critics may fear that the elimination of this requirement could weaken the enforcement of child support obligations, thereby potentially negatively impacting children’s well-being if families fall into arrears or fail to fulfill their child support responsibilities following custody changes.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB149

Requiring that a haircare plan is part of the case plan for a child in custody of the secretary for children and family services and requiring the secretary to offer training on culturally competent haircare to caregivers.

KS HB2638

Requiring that a child in custody of the secretary be provided information regarding the child's rights and the secretary maintain confirmation of the child's notification and understanding of such child's rights in child in need of care proceedings.

KS HB2075

Determining when a law enforcement officer may or shall take a child into custody and requiring that the secretary provide support to such law enforcement officers, the court review involvement in permanency planning and a permanency hearing for a child in custody of the secretary be held within nine months from such child's removal from the and every subsequent hearing 6 months thereafter.

KS HB2302

Requiring a law enforcement officer to consult with the secretary for children and families before taking a child into custody and that the secretary respond and offer consultation to such law enforcement officer outside of the secretary's operating hours.

KS HB2601

Establishing a registry for child abuse and neglect to be maintained by the secretary for children and families, providing for registration and expungement processes that include administrative hearings and opportunities for subsequent appeals, requiring reports of abuse or neglect to include information regarding a custody dispute concerning the child who is the subject of the report and directing the secretary to submit a report to the legislature on such information.

KS HB2175

Requiring the secretary for children and families to notify the parent of a child who is the subject of an investigation of abuse or neglect of such parent's rights during such investigation and to complete a written report upon closing such an investigation, providing for an agreement between the parent of a child and the secretary if such child is removed from the home during an investigation of abuse or neglect and a parent to withhold certain information except when otherwise ordered by a court.

KS SB132

Establishing certain license fees and training requirements, creating a process for day care facility licensees to apply for temporary waiver of certain statutory requirements and authorizing the secretary to develop and operate pilot programs to increase child care facility availability or capacity, transferring certain child care programs to the Kansas office of early childhood and separating licensing duties between the secretary for health and environment and the executive director of early childhood.

KS HB2589

Prohibiting the secretary for children and families from accepting anonymous reports of child abuse or neglect, requiring the secretary to inform anonymous reporters of such prohibition and other pertinent information regarding reporting child abuse and neglect and allowing law enforcement agencies to accept anonymous reports of child abuse or neglect.

KS HB2734

Requiring expedited procedures for children who are under two years of age at the time that a petition is filed requesting such child be adjudicated to be a child in need of care, requiring permanency for such a child within 12 months and directing the secretary to report on such expedited procedures.

KS HB2062

Providing for child support orders for unborn children from the date of conception, including the direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses of the mother as a factor in child support orders and providing for an income tax exemption for unborn and stillborn children, requiring courts to consider the value of retirement accounts in certain circumstances, authorizing payment from certain retirement accounts to pay child support arrearages and eliminating the exemption of pension and retirement moneys from claims to fulfill child support obligations.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.