Family law: support orders.
The most significant change introduced by AB 2780 is in the qualification requirements for vocational training counselors. The bill allows courts to accept a broader range of postgraduate degrees beyond the previously mandated master's degree in behavioral sciences. This change is anticipated to widen the pool of professionals available to conduct vocational assessments, which could lead to more accurate evaluations of a parent's ability to earn sufficient income to support their children.
Assembly Bill No. 2780, authored by Assemblymember Bloom, amends Sections 4058 and 4331 of the Family Code, primarily addressing issues related to child support calculations and the qualifications for vocational training counselors involved in support assessments. This bill aims to provide more flexibility in the evaluation process of a parent’s potential earning capacity and to ensure that child support calculations consider various important aspects of the children's welfare.
The sentiment surrounding AB 2780 has been largely positive, with supporters emphasizing the need for fair evaluations that reflect each family's unique situation. Proponents argue that by considering a broader array of qualifications for counselors, the quality and depth of vocational assessments will improve. Critics, however, express concerns that changes in vocational evaluation standards might lead to inconsistencies in how earning capacity is assessed across different jurisdictions.
A point of contention remains regarding how the bill might affect the overall calculations of child support. Detractors worry that the new guidelines could result in lower child support obligations for some non-custodial parents if their vocational assessments are evaluated too leniently. Nevertheless, supporters maintain that considering a parent's time spent with children and their overall welfare will result in a balance that serves the child's best interests.