Arkansas Senate Bill SB563

Arkansas 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/31/23
• Refer: 3/31/23
• Failed: 5/1/23

Caption

To Expand Upon The Guidelines That The Family Support Chart Should Provide.

Impact

If enacted, SB563 is expected to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of child support guidelines in Arkansas. By mandating revisions to the family support chart that reflect more nuanced parenting time scenarios, the bill aims to address discrepancies that might affect child support calculations. This legislative adjustment hopes to mitigate conflicts between parents and ensure that child support payments are fair and commensurate with the realities of parenting arrangements, promoting a more balanced approach to family law.

Summary

Senate Bill 563 aims to amend existing laws related to child support in Arkansas, specifically focusing on the guidelines provided by the family support chart. This legislation is designed to update the recommendations for child support obligations based on varying parenting time arrangements, emphasizing transparency and clarity in legislative guidance. The proposed changes include establishing numeric guidelines for support linked to parenting time schedules that account for significant overnight stays with the payor parent, improving the efficacy of support distribution during child custody arrangements.

Contention

The bill has sparked discussions regarding the balance between parental rights and the best interests of the child. Advocates for the bill argue that clearer guidelines will create a fair system for determining child support obligations which can adapt to various custody arrangements. However, some critics express concerns that the numerical emphasis on overnight stays could inadvertently penalize custodial parents who have less frequent physical custody but still play a significant role in their child's life. There are fears that this may lead to financial inequities that undermine the non-custodial parent’s responsibility and the child's welfare.