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H4045

194th

An Act relative to establishing a special commission to study child support

StatusActive Amendments0 SponsorAdrianne Pusateri Ramos CommitteeNot yet assigned

malegislature.gov ↗ · Download PDF · View Text on malegislature.gov

By Representative Ramos of North Andover, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4045) of Adrianne Pusateri Ramos for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to improvements to the child support system. The Judiciary.

Emergency Preamble

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to establish a special commission to study the child support system in the commonwealth, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

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Date	Branch	Action
3/26/2026	House	3/26/2026 HouseAccompanied a study order, see H5281 ↗ (under House Rule 27)
—	House	— HouseReported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order
10/20/2025	Joint	10/20/2025 JointHearing scheduled for 06/10/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
6/5/2025	Joint	6/5/2025 JointHearing scheduled for 06/10/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
4/24/2025	Senate	4/24/2025 SenateSenate concurred
4/22/2025	House	4/22/2025 HouseReferred to the committee on The Judiciary

Committee	Recommendation	Vote
J19	Accompanied	—

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H289	An Act establishing a special commission to study women and homelessness	Active
H291	An Act establishing a special commission on two-generation approaches to childhood education	Active
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1 section(s) · formatted for easier reading

▸Intro / Preamble

	(a) There shall be established a special commission, pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws, to study child support and recommend any improvements to the child support system in the commonwealth.
	(b) The special commission shall be comprised of the following members: the chairs of the joint committee on the judiciary or their designees, who shall serve as co-chairs; the chairs of the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities or their designees; 1 member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the president of the senate; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Bar Association, who shall have experience in family law and child support matters; 1 member appointed by the chief justice of the probate and family court; and the commissioner of the department of revenue or their designee, whom shall be from the department of revenue.
	(c) The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) analysis on the economic implications of child support on families in the commonwealth; (ii) analysis on the economic implications of nonpayment of child support; (iii) analysis of child support collections and unpaid child support; (iv) a review of all enforcement mechanisms and the impact of such mechanisms on lower socio-economic families and families with incarcerated obligors; (v) comprehensive data gathered on child support to inform policy recommendations; and (vi) any recommendations on changes to child support in the commonwealth.
	(d) The commission shall prepare a report detailing the results of the study, along with any recommendations and any proposed standards and legislation necessary to carry out its recommendations. The report shall be submitted to the: (i) joint committee on the judiciary; (ii) joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities; and (iii) clerks of the house of representatives and senate not later than December 31, 2026.

Show raw text

	(a) There shall be established a special commission, pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws, to study child support and recommend any improvements to the child support system in the commonwealth.
	(b) The special commission shall be comprised of the following members: the chairs of the joint committee on the judiciary or their designees, who shall serve as co-chairs; the chairs of the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities or their designees; 1 member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the president of the senate; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Bar Association, who shall have experience in family law and child support matters; 1 member appointed by the chief justice of the probate and family court; and the commissioner of the department of revenue or their designee, whom shall be from the department of revenue.
	(c) The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) analysis on the economic implications of child support on families in the commonwealth; (ii) analysis on the economic implications of nonpayment of child support; (iii) analysis of child support collections and unpaid child support; (iv) a review of all enforcement mechanisms and the impact of such mechanisms on lower socio-economic families and families with incarcerated obligors; (v) comprehensive data gathered on child support to inform policy recommendations; and (vi) any recommendations on changes to child support in the commonwealth.
	(d) The commission shall prepare a report detailing the results of the study, along with any recommendations and any proposed standards and legislation necessary to carry out its recommendations. The report shall be submitted to the: (i) joint committee on the judiciary; (ii) joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities; and (iii) clerks of the house of representatives and senate not later than December 31, 2026.