Md. child support guidelines haven’t been changed in two decades 

Posted: 7:17 pm Tue, March 9, 2010
By Steve Lash
Daily Record Legal Affairs Writer

The Maryland Senate on Tuesday passed legislation to change — for the first time since 1989 — the guidelines courts use to set child support payments.

Following the Senate’s 42-2 vote, attention shifts to the House of Delegates, where similar legislation awaits a less certain fate.

The vote drew praise from Department of Human Resources Secretary Brenda Donald, who said an update to the guidelines is long overdue. The stagnant guidelines have not kept pace with the increased cost of raising children over the last 21 years, she said.

“We know that Maryland’s children have been shortchanged over the years,” Donald said. “Child support is really far behind” the cost of living, she added.

Under the current guidelines, for example, parents with one child and a combined adjusted actual income of $10,000 per month, or $120,000 annually, should contribute a total of $1,040 per month (or $12,480 annually) to support that child. The noncustodial parent pays the difference between $1,040 and the amount the custodial parent is deemed to contribute.

The Senate-passed legislation, Senate Bill 252, would raise the parents’ combined contribution to $1,271 per month (or $15,252 annually).

The bill faces an uncertain future in the House. Delegates who oppose the measure, House Bill 500, have said more time is needed to study the guidelines to ensure the new dollar figures are fair to noncustodial parents in a poor economy.

But Donald said she is “hopeful” the measure will pass.

“We just want a fair up or down vote,” she said.

The support guidelines affect about 500,000 Maryland children, according to the DHR, which is responsible for collecting and distributing child-support payments.