Child support award; cost of health insurance coverage obtained by noncustodial parent considered in determining.
The bill specifically impacts the calculation of child support awards by adding an additional factor—the cost of health insurance—to the formula used to determine how much financial support a noncustodial parent is obligated to provide. This change could lead to adjustments in the amount of child support awarded, reflecting more accurately the financial responsibilities of the noncustodial parent based on their actual financial obligations for health insurance.
Senate Bill 2067 aims to amend Section 43-19-101 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 by requiring that when a court orders a noncustodial parent to obtain health insurance for their child or children, the cost of that health insurance be taken into account when establishing child support awards. This provision is meant to ensure that the financial burden of health insurance is considered fairly in the context of child support determinations.
One notable point of contention around SB2067 could be the complexity it adds to child support calculations. Stakeholders may raise concerns regarding the implications of varying health insurance costs, as this could lead to inconsistencies in support awards depending on the insurance options available to parents. Additionally, there could be debates over whether this requirement adequately considers the availability and affordability of insurance for noncustodial parents, potentially causing additional financial strain on them.