H.B. 5628 (H-2): COMMITTEE SUMMARY SPOUSAL SUPPORT FORMULA
House Bill 5628 (Substitute H-2 as passed by the House) Sponsor: Representative Michelle McManus
House Committee: Judiciary and Civil Rights
Senate Committee: Families, Mental Health and Human Services
Date Completed: 11-14-96
The bill would amend the Friend of the Court Act to require the State Friend of the Court Bureau within the Office of the State Court Administrator to develop and recommend a formula to be used in establishing and modifying a spousal support amount. The formula would have to be based on, and include a consideration of, all of the following:
-- The needs of the recipient spouse, including health care expenses.
-- The relative needs and earning ability of each spouse.
-- The amount of child support the payer was obligated to pay for one or more children involved in the same action.
Further, the bill would require that each of the three human service professionals who serve on the nine-member advisory committee to the Office of the Friend of the Court (FOC) have a postgraduate degree, be licensed or registered by the State, and provide family counseling. Currently, the Act specifies only that the professionals must provide family counseling.
The bill would take effect January 1, 1997.
The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 5627, which would require the FOC Office to use electronic means to receive, record, and disburse support payments; House Bill 5635, which would require marriage education or a longer waiting period before a marriage license was issued; and House Bill 5637, which would enact the “Parenting Plan Act”.
MCL 552.519 Legislative Analyst: L. Burghardt
The bill would require additional resources by the FOC such as staff time, possible outside consultation, and training. At this time, the estimated cost associated with implementation of the bill is indeterminate.
Fiscal Analyst: M. Ortiz
S9596\S5628SA
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
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