26.19.025 - Quadrennial review of child support guidelines and child support review report -- Work group membership -- Report to legislature. - Washington Statutes

Quadrennial review of child support guidelines and child support review report — Work group membership — Report to legislature.

(1) Beginning in 2011 and every four years thereafter, the division of child support shall convene a work group to review the child support guidelines and the child support review report prepared under RCW 26.19.026 and determine if the application of the child support guidelines results in appropriate support orders. Membership of the work group shall be determined as provided in this subsection.

     (a) The president of the senate shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate;

     (b) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives;

     (c) The governor, in consultation with the division of child support, shall appoint the following members:

     (i) The director of the division of child support;

     (ii) A professor of law specializing in family law;

     (iii) A representative from the Washington state bar association's family law executive committee;

     (iv) An economist;

     (v) A representative of the tribal community;

     (vi) Two representatives from the superior court judges association, including a superior court judge and a court commissioner who is familiar with child support issues;

     (vii) A representative from the administrative office of the courts;

     (viii) A prosecutor appointed by the Washington association of prosecuting attorneys;

     (ix) A representative from legal services;

     (x) Three noncustodial parents, each of whom may be a representative of an advocacy group, an attorney, or an individual, with at least one representing the interests of low-income, noncustodial parents;

     (xi) Three custodial parents, each of whom may be a representative of an advocacy group, an attorney, or an individual, with at least one representing the interests of low-income, custodial parents; and

     (xii) An administrative law judge appointed by the office of administrative hearings.

     (2) Appointments to the work group shall be made by December 1, 2010, and every four years thereafter. The governor shall appoint the chair from among the work group membership.

     (3) The division of child support shall provide staff support to the work group, and shall carefully consider all input received from interested organizations and individuals during the review process.

     (4) The work group may form an executive committee, create subcommittees, designate alternative representatives, and define other procedures, as needed, for operation of the work group.

     (5) Legislative members of the work group shall be reimbursed for travel expenses under RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative members, except those representing an employee or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

     (6) By October 1, 2011, and every four years thereafter, the work group shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature, including recommendations for legislative action, if necessary.

[2007 c 313 § 5; 1991 c 367 § 26.]

Notes: Findings -- 2007 c 313: "Federal law requires the states to periodically review and update their child support guidelines. Accurate and consistent reporting of the terms of child support orders entered by the courts or administrative agencies in Washington state is necessary in order to accomplish a review of the child support guidelines. In addition, a process for review of the guidelines should be established to ensure the integrity of any reviews undertaken to comply with federal law." [2007 c 313 § 1.]

Severability -- Effective date -- Captions not law -- 1991 c 367: See notes following RCW 26.09.015.