Unborn Child Support Act This bill requires states to apply child support obligations to the time period during pregnancy. This requirement is applicable retroactively based on a court order at the request of the pregnant parent and a determination by a physician of the month during which the child was conceived. Existing state requirements are applicable to these obligations, such as proof of parenthood.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would significantly change how child support is handled at both the federal and state levels. Under the proposed law, states would need to adjust their current child support enforcement mechanisms to include unborn children, allowing for the retroactive collection of support payments. Additionally, the legislation mandates that any measure to establish paternity must not pose risks to the unborn child, prioritizing the child's safety in the process.
Summary
SB230, known as the 'Unborn Child Support Act', aims to amend part D of title IV of the Social Security Act to establish child support obligations for unborn children. The bill stipulates that states must create and enforce these obligations to ensure support from the biological father, beginning from conception if requested by the mother. Importantly, the legislation clarifies that 'unborn child' refers to any member of the species homo sapiens at any stage of development carried in the womb.
Contention
The bill has sparked discussions concerning women's rights and parental obligations. Supporters argue that it provides necessary support and recognition for unborn children, thus extending parental responsibilities. However, critics may raise concerns regarding the implications of enforcing financial obligations before a child is born, particularly in relation to women's autonomy and decision-making. These discussions are essential in understanding the balance between the rights of the unborn and those of the mother.
Providing for Life Act of 2023 This bill revises various programs and supports for families and children related to taxes, health, and other benefits. First, the bill increases the child tax credit to a maximum of $3,500 per child ($4,500 per child under the age of six) and makes permanent the increased income threshold over which the credit phases out. The bill further eliminates the federal deduction for certain state and local taxes (SALT deduction) and makes the adoption tax credit refundable. The bill allows parents to use a portion of their Social Security benefits for up to three months of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child. Additionally, the bill requires Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to cooperate with states in establishing child support orders. It also provides additional workforce training for noncustodial parents with child support obligations. States must establish requirements for the biological father of a child to pay, at the mother's request, at least 50% of reasonable out-of-pocket medical expenses associated with the mother's pregnancy and delivery. The bill requires institutions of higher education to provide students with certain information about the resources and services (excluding abortion services) available to pregnant students. Additionally, the bill provides grants for community-based maternal mentoring programs and for pregnancy resource centers that do not provide abortions; requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publish a website with specified pregnancy-related information; and extends from one to two years the postpartum benefit eligibility period under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).