Minnesota Senate Bill SF2666

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/17/25
• Refer: 3/17/25

Caption

Maintenance and child support orders cost-of-living adjustments repeal

Impact

The intended impact of SF2666 is to provide clarity regarding financial responsibilities for parents obligated to pay child support or spousal maintenance. By limiting automatic adjustments, the bill may change how families manage their finances, potentially leading to increased disputes over payments as parents will need to petition the court for adjustments based on significant financial changes rather than relying on a structured system. Furthermore, the bill reinforces that nonpayment of support can lead to legal penalties, highlighting the serious implications for those failing to meet their obligations.

Summary

SF2666, a bill introduced in the Minnesota legislature, focuses on the modification and enforcement of child support and maintenance orders. The bill seeks to repeal the requirement for automatic cost-of-living adjustments to maintenance and child support orders, effective January 1, 2027. This repeal implies that parents would need to seek modifications through the court rather than having adjustments automatically applied every two years based on changes in the cost of living.

Contention

Notably, there are concerns among advocates for child support reform regarding the repeal of cost-of-living adjustments. Critics argue that removing this automatic adjustment could disproportionately affect custodial parents, often mothers, who rely on consistent financial support to maintain their livelihood and meet their children's needs. The debate surrounding SF2666 reflects broader discussions about fairness and the adequacy of support systems for children in divorce and separation situations.