HB 352: Revise child support guideline laws and establish a committee - Montana

HB0352_X(4).pdf → HB0352_X(5).pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to streamline its title by removing references to staff expertise requirements and a private software vendor contract, focusing instead on the establishment of the Guidelines Review Committee. The substantive text was reorganized to clarify the committee's duties, which now explicitly include researching and recommending policy changes for the Montana child support guidelines. Additionally, the amendment standardizes the formatting of section headers and ensures the committee's administrative procedures align with applicable federal regulations.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed in its title by removing specific mandates regarding staff expertise and software vendor contracts, shifting the primary focus to the oversight committee's role in reviewing and updating child support guidelines.

REQUIREMENT

The bill's title was updated to remove references to requiring specific staff expertise and contracting with a private software vendor, simplifying the legislative intent to focus on the guidelines review committee.

The duties of the Guidelines Review Committee were clarified to explicitly include researching, developing, and recommending proposed policy changes to the department regarding child support guidelines.

Provisions regarding the committee's administration were updated to explicitly state that appointments and administration must occur in accordance with applicable federal regulations and guidelines.

TECHNICAL

Section headers and numbering were standardized to improve readability and consistency, such as changing 'GUIDELINES REVIEW COMMITTEE' to lowercase 'guidelines review committee' in the statute text.

HB0352_3(11).pdf → HB0352_X.pdf · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill reorganizes the Montana child support guidelines legislation to clarify the roles of the Guidelines Review Oversight Committee. It replaces the previous requirement for two separate staff positions with a single committee structure that includes external experts and individuals with lived experience. The bill also updates the committee's duties to include quarterly meetings and specific responsibilities for verifying the accuracy of child support calculations.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on child support guidelines, but the applicability of the oversight mechanism changes from a specific staff requirement to a broader committee-based review process.

REQUIREMENT

Replaced the mandate for two specific staff members with tax expertise with a new Guidelines Review Oversight Committee.

Added a requirement for the committee to include one member with child support expertise and one member with lived experience related to child support.

Established a requirement for the committee to meet at least quarterly.

Updated the committee's duties to include researching policy changes and verifying the accuracy of the state's child support calculator.

Removed the specific provision requiring the department to contract with a private software vendor for child support calculations.

HB0352_3(5).pdf → HB0352_3(6).pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill underwent minor formatting adjustments and a reorganization of section titles. The most significant change is the removal of the word 'OVERSIGHT' from the section title, which likely reflects a decision to rename or restructure the committee's official designation. These changes are primarily technical and do not alter the substantive policy, funding, or eligibility criteria of the bill.

TECHNICAL

The section title was modified by removing the term 'OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE', changing the header from 'OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE -- REPORTING REQUIREMENT' to 'oversight committee -- reporting requirement'. This appears to be a formatting or nomenclature update rather than a change in the committee's function.

Minor formatting adjustments were made to the introduction line and the capitalization of the subsection header, shifting from a mix of uppercase and lowercase to a more consistent lowercase style for the committee name.

HB0352_3(3).pdf → HB0352_3(4).pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reorganized to create a clearer structure for a new 'Guidelines Review Oversight Committee' within the child support department. The changes add specific requirements for committee members, including expertise in tax preparation and lived experience, and mandate that the committee verify the accuracy of the state's child support calculator by comparing it to a private vendor with input from a certified public accountant.

Scope change

The scope of the oversight committee was expanded to include specific duties regarding policy research, approval of internal guidelines, and technical verification of the child support calculator.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the child support guidelines project manager and one other staff member to have expertise in tax preparation and analysis.

Defined the composition of the Guidelines Review Oversight Committee to include specific representatives such as a federally recognized Indian tribe member, noncustodial and custodial parents, and an administrative law judge.

Mandated that the committee verify the child support calculator by comparing it to a private vendor's software, requiring consultation with a certified public accountant regarding tax implications.

Reorganized the bill text to consolidate committee duties and reporting requirements into a more logical subsection structure.

HB0352_2(15).pdf → HB0352_3.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from HB 352.2 to HB 352.3 and underwent significant restructuring of its text. The most substantive change involves the Guidelines Review Oversight Committee, which was reorganized into a new Section 1 with clearer, capitalized headings. The committee's composition was simplified to require one expert and one person with lived experience, removing specific mandates for tribal members, parents, and judges. Additionally, the requirement for the Department of Public Health to contract with a private software vendor was moved to a new Section 1(9) and clarified to assist the public in calculating child support.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the composition and operation of the child support oversight committee was narrowed and reorganized, while the requirement for external software contracting was made more explicit.

REQUIREMENT

The composition of the Guidelines Review Oversight Committee was changed from a diverse panel including tribal members, parents, and judges to a simplified structure requiring only one expert and one person with lived experience.

A new subsection was added explicitly requiring the department to contract with a private software vendor to help the public calculate child support expenses.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was restructured with new section numbers and capitalized headings to improve readability and organization.

HB0352_1(5).pdf → HB0352_2.pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill adds a mandatory requirement for the child support committee to consult with a certified public accountant regarding income tax implications during software vendor comparisons. It also updates the bill's version number and formatting headers to reflect a new legislative version.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific mandate that the consultant for child support software must include a certified public accountant to review income tax implications.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill version identifier from HB 352.1 to HB0352.2 and adjusted page headers.

LC2034.pdf → HB0352_1.pdf · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect its official House Bill number (HB 352) and includes a new requirement that the child support guidelines project manager and at least one other staff member must have or obtain expertise in tax preparation and analysis. This change ensures the team responsible for developing child support guidelines has the necessary financial skills to handle tax-related aspects of their work.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandate for the child support guidelines project manager and at least one additional staff member to possess or acquire expertise in tax preparation and analysis.

Revise child support guideline laws and establish a committee

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