HB 1571

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to child support; amending s. 61.13, F.S.;
3	requiring either or both parents who owe support to secure
4	a child support award; amending s. 61.30, F.S.; providing
5	conditions for the imputation of income by the court under
6	certain circumstances; providing for the determination of
7	net income; providing child support guidelines schedules;
8	providing for income levels above what is reflected in the
9	schedule; revising amount of child care costs to be added
10	to the basic child support obligation; revising method for
11	calculating each parent's percentage share of the child
12	support need; revising method of calculating the total
13	minimum child support need; revising factors to be
14	considered by the court in adjusting child support awards;
15	providing for calculation of child support orders in cases
16	of split parenting arrangements; specifying the method for
17	determining a child support order amount; amending s.
18	409.2563, F.S.; providing for the imputation of income
19	under certain circumstances; amending s. 409.2564, F.S.;
20	revising a threshold for arrearages before passport
21	restrictions apply; amending s. 409.25641, F.S.; requiring
22	the Department of Revenue to employ automated
23	administrative enforcement of support orders in interstate
24	cases; authorizing the department to establish a
25	corresponding case under certain circumstances; requiring
26	the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
27	Accountability to evaluate state compliance with federally
28	required review of child support guidelines and provide a
29	report to the Governor and Legislature; providing an
30	effective date.
31
32	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
33
34	Section 1.  Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (1) of
35	section 61.13, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
36	61.13  Custody and support of children; visitation rights;
37	power of court in making orders.--
38	(1)(a)  In a proceeding under this chapter, the court may
39	at any time order either or both parents who owe a duty of
40	support to a child to pay support in accordance with the child
41	support guidelines schedules in s. 61.30. The court initially
42	entering an order requiring one or both parents to make child
43	support payments shall have continuing jurisdiction after the
44	entry of the initial order to modify the amount and terms and
45	conditions of the child support payments when the modification
46	is found necessary by the court in the best interests of the
47	child, when the child reaches majority, or when there is a
48	substantial change in the circumstances of the parties. The
49	court initially entering a child support order shall also have
50	continuing jurisdiction to require the obligee to report to the
51	court on terms prescribed by the court regarding the disposition
52	of the child support payments.
53	(c)  To the extent necessary to protect an award of child
54	support, the court may order either or both parents who owe a
55	duty of support to a child the obligor to purchase or maintain a
56	life insurance policy or a bond, or to otherwise secure the
57	child support award with any other assets which may be suitable
58	for that purpose, depending upon the equities of the cause.
59	Section 2.  Section 61.30, Florida Statutes, is amended to
60	read:
61	61.30  Child support guidelines; guidelines schedules;
62	retroactive child support.--
63	(1)(a)  The child support guideline amount as determined by
64	this section presumptively establishes the amount the trier of
65	fact shall order as child support in an initial proceeding for
66	such support or in a proceeding for modification of an existing
67	order for such support, whether the proceeding arises under this
68	or another chapter. The trier of fact may order payment of child
69	support which varies, plus or minus 5 percent, from the
70	guideline amount, after considering all relevant factors,
71	including the needs of the child or children, age, station in
72	life, standard of living, and the financial status and ability
73	of each parent. The trier of fact may order payment of child
74	support in an amount which varies more than 5 percent from such
75	guideline amount only upon a written finding explaining why
76	ordering payment of such guideline amount would be unjust or
77	inappropriate. Notwithstanding the variance limitations of this
78	section, the trier of fact shall order payment of child support
79	which varies from the guideline amount as provided in paragraph
80	(11)(b) whenever any of the children are required by court order
81	or mediation agreement to spend a substantial amount of time
82	with the primary and secondary residential parents. This
83	requirement applies to any living arrangement, whether temporary
84	or permanent.
85	(b)  The guidelines schedules may provide the basis for
86	proving a substantial change in circumstances upon which a
87	modification of an existing order may be granted. However, the
88	difference between the existing monthly obligation and the
89	amount provided for under the guidelines schedules shall be at
90	least 15 percent or $50, whichever amount is greater, before the
91	court may find that the guidelines schedules provide a
92	substantial change in circumstances.
93	(c)  For each support order reviewed by the department as
94	required by s. 409.2564(11), if the amount of the child support
95	award under the order differs by at least 10 percent but not
96	less than $25 from the amount that would be awarded under s.
97	61.30, the department shall seek to have the order modified and
98	any modification shall be made without a requirement for proof
99	or showing of a change in circumstances.
100	(2)  Income shall be determined on a monthly basis for each
101	parent the obligor and for the obligee as follows:
102	(a)  Gross income shall include, but is not limited to, the
103	following items:
104	1.  Salary or wages.
105	2.  Bonuses, commissions, allowances, overtime, tips, and
106	other similar payments.
107	3.  Business income from sources such as self-employment,
108	partnership, close corporations, and independent contracts.
109	"Business income" means gross receipts minus ordinary and
110	necessary expenses required to produce income.
111	4.  Disability benefits.
112	5.  All workers' compensation benefits and settlements.
113	6.  Unemployment compensation.
114	7.  Pension, retirement, or annuity payments.
115	8.  Social security benefits.
116	9.  Spousal support received from a previous marriage or
117	court ordered in the marriage before the court.
118	10.  Interest and dividends.
119	11.  Rental income, which is gross receipts minus ordinary
120	and necessary expenses required to produce the income.
121	12.  Income from royalties, trusts, or estates.
122	13.  Reimbursed expenses or in kind payments to the extent
123	that they reduce living expenses.
124	14.  Gains derived from dealings in property, unless the
125	gain is nonrecurring.
126	(b)1.  Income on a monthly basis shall be imputed to an
127	unemployed or underemployed parent when such employment or
128	underemployment is found by the court to be voluntary on that
129	parent's part, absent a finding of fact by the court of physical
130	or mental incapacity or other circumstances over which the
131	parent has no control. In the event of such voluntary
132	unemployment or underemployment, the employment potential and
133	probable earnings level of the parent shall be determined based
134	upon his or her recent work history, occupational
135	qualifications, and prevailing earnings level in the community
136	as provided in this paragraph; however, the court may refuse to
137	impute income to a primary residential parent if the court finds
138	it necessary for the parent to stay home with the child who is
139	the subject of the child support calculation to care for that
140	child.
141	2.  In order for the court to impute income under
142	subparagraph 1., the court must make specific findings of fact
143	consistent with the requirements of this paragraph. The party
144	seeking to impute income has the burden to present competent,
145	substantial evidence:
146	a.  That the unemployment or underemployment is voluntary;
147	and
148	b.  That identifies the amount and source of the imputed
149	income, through evidence of available income from employment for
150	which the party is suitably qualified by education, experience,
151	current licensure, or geographic location, with due
152	consideration being given to the parties' current existing
153	parental obligations and time-sharing plan and their historical
154	compliance with the plan.
155	3.  A rebuttable presumption shall exist, which entitles
156	the court to impute Florida minimum wage to a parent if no other
157	evidentiary basis or mechanism for establishing a parent's gross
158	income is available, absent a finding by the court that:
159	a.  The parent has a physical or mental incapacity that
160	renders the parent unemployable or underemployed;
161	b.  The parent needs to stay home with a child who is the
162	subject of the child support calculation proceedings and care
163	for that child, thereby preventing the parent's employment or
164	rendering the parent underemployed; or
165	c.  There are other circumstances over which the parent has
166	no control, except for penal incarceration, which prevents the
167	parent from earning an income.
168
169	If evidence is produced that demonstrates that the parent is a
170	resident of another state, the state minimum wage applicable to
171	the parent's state of residence shall apply if it is greater
172	than the Florida minimum wage. In the absence of a state minimum
173	wage or if the other state's minimum wage is lower than the
174	Florida minimum wage, the federal minimum wage as determined by
175	the United States Department of Labor shall apply.
176	4.  Income may not be imputed beyond minimum wage
177	requirements in subparagraph 3. based upon:
178	a.  Income records that are more than 5 years old at the
179	time of the hearing or trial at which imputation is sought.
180	b.  Income at a level that a party has not previously ever
181	earned in the past, unless the party recently has earned a
182	degree or been licensed, certified, relicensed, or recertified
183	and thus is qualified for, subject to geographic location, with
184	due consideration being given to the party's current existing
185	parental obligations and time-sharing plan and historical
186	compliance with the plan.
187	(c)  Public assistance as defined in s. 409.2554 shall be
188	excluded from gross income.
189	(3)  Net income is obtained by subtracting allowable
190	deductions from gross income. Allowable deductions shall
191	include:
192	(a)  Federal, state, and local income tax deductions,
193	adjusted for actual filing status and allowable dependents and
194	income tax liabilities.
195	(b)  Federal insurance contributions or self-employment
196	tax.
197	(c)  Mandatory union dues.
198	(d)  Mandatory retirement payments.
199	(e)  Health insurance payments, excluding payments for
200	coverage of the minor child.
201	(f)  Court-ordered support for other children which is
202	actually paid.
203	(g)  Spousal support paid pursuant to a court order from a
204	previous marriage or the marriage before the court.
205	(4)  Net income for each parent the obligor and net income
206	for the obligee shall be computed by subtracting allowable
207	deductions from gross income.
208	(5)  Net income for each parent the obligor and net income
209	for the obligee shall be added together for a combined net
210	income.
211	(6)  The following guidelines schedules shall be applied to
212	the combined net income to determine the minimum child support
213	need:
214
	Combined Monthly NetAvailable Income Child or Children
215
	One Two Three Four Five Six
216
	650.00 74 75 75 76 77 78
217
	700.00 119 120 121 123 124 125
218
	750.00 164 166 167 169 171 173
219
	800.00 190 211 213 216 218 220
220
	850.00 202 257 259 262 265 268
221
	900.00 213 302 305 309 312 315
222
	950.00 224 347 351 355 359 363
223
	1000.00 235 365 397 402 406 410
224
	1050.00 246 382 443 448 453 458
225
	1100.00 258 400 489 495 500 505
226
	1150.00 269 417 522 541 547 553
227
	1200.00 280 435 544 588 594 600
228
	1250.00 290 451 565 634 641 648
229
	1300.00 300 467 584 659 688 695
230
	1350.00 310 482 603 681 735 743
231
	1400.00 320 498 623 702 765 790
232
	1450.00 330 513 642 724 789 838
233
	1500.00 340 529 662 746 813 869
234
	1550.00 350 544 681 768 836 895
235
	1600.00 360 560 701 790 860 920
236
	1650.00 370 575 720 812 884 945
237
	1700.00 380 591 740 833 907 971
238
	1750.00 390 606 759 855 931 996
239
	1800.00 400 622 779 877 955 1022
240
	1850.00 410 638 798 900 979 1048
241
	1900.00 421 654 818 923 1004 1074
242
	1950.00 431 670 839 946 1029 1101
243
	2000.00 442 686 859 968 1054 1128
244
	2050.00 452 702 879 991 1079 1154
245
	2100.00 463 718 899 1014 1104 1181
246
	2150.00 473 734 919 1037 1129 1207
247
	2200.00 484 751 940 1060 1154 1234
248
	2250.00 494 767 960 1082 1179 1261
249
	2300.00 505 783 980 1105 1204 1287
250
	2350.00 515 799 1000 1128 1229 1314
251
	2400.00 526 815 1020 1151 1254 1340
252
	2450.00 536 831 1041 1174 1279 1367
253
	2500.00 547 847 1061 1196 1304 1394
254
	2550.00 557 864 1081 1219 1329 1420
255
	2600.00 568 880 1101 1242 1354 1447
256
	2650.00 578 896 1121 1265 1379 1473
257
	2700.00 588 912 1141 1287 1403 1500
258
	2750.00 597 927 1160 1308 1426 1524
259
	2800.00 607 941 1178 1328 1448 1549
260
	2850.00 616 956 1197 1349 1471 1573
261
	2900.00 626 971 1215 1370 1494 1598
262
	2950.00 635 986 1234 1391 1517 1622
263
	3000.00 644 1001 1252 1412 1540 1647
264
	3050.00 654 1016 1271 1433 1563 1671
265
	3100.00 663 1031 1289 1453 1586 1695
266
	3150.00 673 1045 1308 1474 1608 1720
267
	3200.00 682 1060 1327 1495 1631 1744
268
	3250.00 691 1075 1345 1516 1654 1769
269
	3300.00 701 1090 1364 1537 1677 1793
270
	3350.00 710 1105 1382 1558 1700 1818
271
	3400.00 720 1120 1401 1579 1723 1842
272
	3450.00 729 1135 1419 1599 1745 1867
273
	3500.00 738 1149 1438 1620 1768 1891
274
	3550.00 748 1164 1456 1641 1791 1915
275
	3600.00 757 1179 1475 1662 1814 1940
276
	3650.00 767 1194 1493 1683 1837 1964
277
	3700.00 776 1208 1503 1702 1857 1987
278
	3750.00 784 1221 1520 1721 1878 2009
279
	3800.00 793 1234 1536 1740 1899 2031
280
	3850.00 802 1248 1553 1759 1920 2053
281
	3900.00 811 1261 1570 1778 1940 2075
282
	3950.00 819 1275 1587 1797 1961 2097
283
	4000.00 828 1288 1603 1816 1982 2119
284
	4050.00 837 1302 1620 1835 2002 2141
285
	4100.00 846 1315 1637 1854 2023 2163
286
	4150.00 854 1329 1654 1873 2044 2185
287
	4200.00 863 1342 1670 1892 2064 2207
288
	4250.00 872 1355 1687 1911 2085 2229
289
	4300.00 881 1369 1704 1930 2106 2251
290
	4350.00 889 1382 1721 1949 2127 2273
291
	4400.00 898 1396 1737 1968 2147 2295
292
	4450.00 907 1409 1754 1987 2168 2317
293
	4500.00 916 1423 1771 2006 2189 2339
294
	4550.00 924 1436 1788 2024 2209 2361
295
	4600.00 933 1450 1804 2043 2230 2384
296
	4650.00 942 1463 1821 2062 2251 2406
297
	4700.00 951 1477 1838 2081 2271 2428
298
	4750.00 959 1490 1855 2100 2292 2450
299
	4800.00 968 1503 1871 2119 2313 2472
300
	4850.00 977 1517 1888 2138 2334 2494
301
	4900.00 986 1530 1905 2157 2354 2516
302
	4950.00 993 1542 1927 2174 2372 2535
303
	5000.00 1000 1551 1939 2188 2387 2551
304
	5050.00 1006 1561 1952 2202 2402 2567
305
	5100.00 1013 1571 1964 2215 2417 2583
306
	5150.00 1019 1580 1976 2229 2432 2599
307
	5200.00 1025 1590 1988 2243 2447 2615
308
	5250.00 1032 1599 2000 2256 2462 2631
309
	5300.00 1038 1609 2012 2270 2477 2647
310
	5350.00 1045 1619 2024 2283 2492 2663
311
	5400.00 1051 1628 2037 2297 2507 2679
312
	5450.00 1057 1638 2049 2311 2522 2695
313
	5500.00 1064 1647 2061 2324 2537 2711
314
	5550.00 1070 1657 2073 2338 2552 2727
315
	5600.00 1077 1667 2085 2352 2567 2743
316
	5650.00 1083 1676 2097 2365 2582 2759
317
	5700.00 1089 1686 2109 2379 2597 2775
318
	5750.00 1096 1695 2122 2393 2612 2791
319
	5800.00 1102 1705 2134 2406 2627 2807
320
	5850.00 1107 1713 2144 2418 2639 2820
321
	5900.00 1111 1721 2155 2429 2651 2833
322
	5950.00 1116 1729 2165 2440 2663 2847
323
	6000.00 1121 1737 2175 2451 2676 2860
324
	6050.00 1126 1746 2185 2462 2688 2874
325
	6100.00 1131 1754 2196 2473 2700 2887
326
	6150.00 1136 1762 2206 2484 2712 2900
327
	6200.00 1141 1770 2216 2495 2724 2914
328
	6250.00 1145 1778 2227 2506 2737 2927
329
	6300.00 1150 1786 2237 2517 2749 2941
330
	6350.00 1155 1795 2247 2529 2761 2954
331
	6400.00 1160 1803 2258 2540 2773 2967
332
	6450.00 1165 1811 2268 2551 2785 2981
333
	6500.00 1170 1819 2278 2562 2798 2994
334
	6550.00 1175 1827 2288 2573 2810 3008
335
	6600.00 1179 1835 2299 2584 2822 3021
336
	6650.00 1184 1843 2309 2595 2834 3034
337
	6700.00 1189 1850 2317 2604 2845 3045
338
	6750.00 1193 1856 2325 2613 2854 3055
339
	6800.00 1196 1862 2332 2621 2863 3064
340
	6850.00 1200 1868 2340 2630 2872 3074
341
	6900.00 1204 1873 2347 2639 2882 3084
342
	6950.00 1208 1879 2355 2647 2891 3094
343
	7000.00 1212 1885 2362 2656 2900 3103
344
	7050.00 1216 1891 2370 2664 2909 3113
345
	7100.00 1220 1897 2378 2673 2919 3123
346
	7150.00 1224 1903 2385 2681 2928 3133
347
	7200.00 1228 1909 2393 2690 2937 3142
348
	7250.00 1232 1915 2400 2698 2946 3152
349
	7300.00 1235 1921 2408 2707 2956 3162
350
	7350.00 1239 1927 2415 2716 2965 3172
351
	7400.00 1243 1933 2423 2724 2974 3181
352
	7450.00 1247 1939 2430 2733 2983 3191
353
	7500.00 1251 1945 2438 2741 2993 3201
354
	7550.00 1255 1951 2446 2750 3002 3211
355
	7600.00 1259 1957 2453 2758 3011 3220
356
	7650.00 1263 1963 2461 2767 3020 3230
357
	7700.00 1267 1969 2468 2775 3030 3240
358
	7750.00 1271 1975 2476 2784 3039 3250
359
	7800.00 1274 1981 2483 2792 3048 3259
360
	7850.00 1278 1987 2491 2801 3057 3269
361
	7900.00 1282 1992 2498 2810 3067 3279
362
	7950.00 1286 1998 2506 2818 3076 3289
363
	8000.00 1290 2004 2513 2827 3085 3298
364
	8050.00 1294 2010 2521 2835 3094 3308
365
	8100.00 1298 2016 2529 2844 3104 3318
366
	8150.00 1302 2022 2536 2852 3113 3328
367
	8200.00 1306 2028 2544 2861 3122 3337
368
	8250.00 1310 2034 2551 2869 3131 3347
369
	8300.00 1313 2040 2559 2878 3141 3357
370
	8350.00 1317 2046 2566 2887 3150 3367
371
	8400.00 1321 2052 2574 2895 3159 3376
372
	8450.00 1325 2058 2581 2904 3168 3386
373
	8500.00 1329 2064 2589 2912 3178 3396
374
	8550.00 1333 2070 2597 2921 3187 3406
375
	8600.00 1337 2076 2604 2929 3196 3415
376
	8650.00 1341 2082 2612 2938 3205 3425
377
	8700.00 1345 2088 2619 2946 3215 3435
378
	8750.00 1349 2094 2627 2955 3224 3445
379
	8800.00 1352 2100 2634 2963 3233 3454
380
	8850.00 1356 2106 2642 2972 3242 3464
381
	8900.00 1360 2111 2649 2981 3252 3474
382
	8950.00 1364 2117 2657 2989 3261 3484
383
	9000.00 1368 2123 2664 2998 3270 3493
384
	9050.00 1372 2129 2672 3006 3279 3503
385
	9100.00 1376 2135 2680 3015 3289 3513
386
	9150.00 1380 2141 2687 3023 3298 3523
387
	9200.00 1384 2147 2695 3032 3307 3532
388
	9250.00 1388 2153 2702 3040 3316 3542
389
	9300.00 1391 2159 2710 3049 3326 3552
390
	9350.00 1395 2165 2717 3058 3335 3562
391
	9400.00 1399 2171 2725 3066 3344 3571
392
	9450.00 1403 2177 2732 3075 3353 3581
393
	9500.00 1407 2183 2740 3083 3363 3591
394
	9550.00 1411 2189 2748 3092 3372 3601
395
	9600.00 1415 2195 2755 3100 3381 3610
396
	9650.00 1419 2201 2763 3109 3390 3620
397
	9700.00 1422 2206 2767 3115 3396 3628
398
	9750.00 1425 2210 2772 3121 3402 3634
399
	9800.00 1427 2213 2776 3126 3408 3641
400
	9850.00 1430 2217 2781 3132 3414 3647
401
	9900.00 1432 2221 2786 3137 3420 3653
402
	9950.00 1435 2225 2791 3143 3426 3659
403
	10000.00 1437 2228 2795 3148 3432 3666
404
405	For combined monthly available income less than the amount set
406	out on the above schedules, the parent should be ordered to pay
407	a child support amount, determined on a case-by-case basis, to
408	establish the principle of payment and lay the basis for
409	increased orders should the parent's income increase in the
410	future. For combined monthly available income greater than the
411	amount set out in the above schedules, the obligation shall be
412	the minimum amount of support provided by the guidelines
413	schedules plus the following percentages multiplied by the
414	amount of income over $10,000:
415
	Child or Children
416
	One Two Three Four Five Six
417
	5.0% 7.5% 9.5% 11.0% 12.0% 12.5%
418
419	These percentages shall not be used to determine child support
420	beyond the amount necessary to satisfy the reasonable needs of
421	the child or children.
422	(7)  Child care costs incurred on behalf of the children
423	due to employment, job search, or education calculated to result
424	in employment or to enhance income of current employment of
425	either parent shall be reduced by 25 percent and then shall be
426	added to the basic obligation. After the adjusted child care
427	costs are added to the basic obligation, any moneys prepaid by
428	the noncustodial parent for child care costs for the child or
429	children of this action shall be deducted from that noncustodial
430	parent's child support obligation for that child or those
431	children. Child care costs shall not exceed the level required
432	to provide quality care from a licensed source for the children.
433	(8)  Health insurance costs resulting from coverage ordered
434	pursuant to s. 61.13(1)(b), and any noncovered medical, dental,
435	and prescription medication expenses of the child, shall be
436	added to the basic obligation unless these expenses have been
437	ordered to be separately paid on a percentage basis. After the
438	health insurance costs are added to the basic obligation, any
439	moneys prepaid by the noncustodial parent for health-related
440	costs for the child or children of this action shall be deducted
441	from that noncustodial parent's child support obligation for
442	that child or those children.
443	(9)  Each parent's percentage share of the child support
444	need shall be determined by dividing each parent's net monthly
445	income by the combined net monthly income.
446	(10)  The total minimum child support need shall be
447	determined by adding child care costs and health insurance costs
448	to the minimum child support need. Each parent's actual dollar
449	share of the total minimum child support need shall be
450	determined by multiplying the minimum child support need by each
451	parent's percentage share of the combined monthly net income.
452	(11)(a)  The court may adjust the total minimum child
453	support award, or either or both parents' share of the total
454	minimum child support award, based upon the following deviation
455	factors considerations:
456	1.  Extraordinary medical, psychological, educational, or
457	dental expenses.
458	2.  Independent income of the child, not to include moneys
459	received by a child from supplemental security income.
460	3.  The payment of support for a parent which regularly has
461	been paid and for which there is a demonstrated need.
462	4.  Seasonal variations in one or both parents' incomes or
463	expenses.
464	5.  The age of the child, taking into account the greater
465	needs of older children.
466	6.  Special needs, such as costs that may be associated
467	with the disability of a child, that have traditionally been met
468	within the family budget even though the fulfilling of those
469	needs will cause the support to exceed the presumptive amount
470	established by the proposed guidelines schedules.
471	7.  Total available assets of the obligee, obligor, and the
472	child.
473	8.  The impact of the Internal Revenue Service dependency
474	exemption and waiver of that exemption and the impact of any
475	federal child care tax credit. The court may order the primary
476	residential parent to execute a waiver of the Internal Revenue
477	Service dependency exemption if the noncustodial parent is
478	current in support payments.
479	9.  When application of the child support guidelines
480	schedules requires a person to pay another person more than 55
481	percent of his or her gross income for a child support
482	obligation for current support resulting from a single support
483	order.
484	10.  The particular parenting shared parental arrangement,
485	such as where the child spends a significant amount of time, but
486	less than 20 40 percent of the overnights, with the noncustodial
487	parent, thereby reducing the financial expenditures incurred by
488	the primary residential parent; or the refusal of the
489	noncustodial parent to become involved in the activities of the
490	child.
491	11.  Any other adjustment which is needed to achieve an
492	equitable result which may include, but not be limited to, a
493	reasonable and necessary existing expense or debt. Such expense
494	or debt may include, but is not limited to, a reasonable and
495	necessary expense or debt which the parties jointly incurred
496	during the marriage.
497	(b)  Whenever a particular parenting shared parental
498	arrangement provides that each child spend a substantial amount
499	of time with each parent, the court shall adjust any award of
500	child support, as follows:
501	1.  In accordance with subsections (9) and (10), calculate
502	the amount of support obligation apportioned to the noncustodial
503	parent without including day care and health insurance costs in
504	the calculation and multiply the amount by 1.5.
505	2.  In accordance with subsections (9) and (10), calculate
506	the amount of support obligation apportioned to the custodial
507	parent without including day care and health insurance costs in
508	the calculation and multiply the amount by 1.5.
509	3.  Calculate the percentage of overnight stays the child
510	spends with each parent.
511	4.  Multiply the noncustodial parent's support obligation
512	as calculated in subparagraph 1. by the percentage of the
513	custodial parent's overnight stays with the child as calculated
514	in subparagraph 3.
515	5.  Multiply the custodial parent's support obligation as
516	calculated in subparagraph 2. by the percentage of the
517	noncustodial parent's overnight stays with the child as
518	calculated in subparagraph 3.
519	6.  The difference between the amounts calculated in
520	subparagraphs 4. and 5. shall be the monetary transfer necessary
521	between the custodial and noncustodial parents for the care of
522	the child, subject to an adjustment for day care and health
523	insurance expenses.
524	7.  Pursuant to subsections (7) and (8), calculate the net
525	amounts owed by the custodial and noncustodial parents for the
526	expenses incurred for day care and health insurance coverage for
527	the child. Day care shall be calculated without regard to the
528	25-percent reduction applied by subsection (7).
529	8.  Adjust the support obligation owed by the custodial or
530	noncustodial parent pursuant to subparagraph 6. by crediting or
531	debiting the amount calculated in subparagraph 7. This amount
532	represents the child support which must be exchanged between the
533	custodial and noncustodial parents. However, if the amount to be
534	paid is more than the child support that would be paid had the
535	child support been calculated without adjustment for substantial
536	parenting time, the court shall order child support to be paid
537	without making the otherwise mandatory adjustment required by
538	this paragraph.
539	9.  The court may deviate from the child support amount
540	calculated pursuant to subparagraph 8. based upon the deviation
541	factors considerations set forth in paragraph (a), as well as
542	the custodial parent's low income and ability to maintain the
543	basic necessities of the home for the child, the likelihood that
544	the noncustodial parent will actually exercise the visitation
545	granted by the court, and whether all of the children are
546	exercising the same parenting shared parental arrangement.
547	10.  For purposes of adjusting any award of child support
548	under this paragraph, "substantial amount of time" means that
549	the noncustodial parent exercises visitation at least 20 40
550	percent of the overnights of the year.
551	(c)  A noncustodial parent's failure to regularly exercise
552	court-ordered or agreed visitation not caused by the custodial
553	parent which resulted in the adjustment of the amount of child
554	support pursuant to subparagraph (a)10. or paragraph (b) shall
555	be deemed a substantial change of circumstances for purposes of
556	modifying the child support award. A modification pursuant to
557	this paragraph shall be retroactive to the date the noncustodial
558	parent first failed to regularly exercise court-ordered or
559	agreed visitation.
560	(d)  A split parenting arrangement exists when there is
561	more than one child in common and each parent has the majority
562	of the overnight timesharing for one or more of the children. In
563	cases involving split parenting arrangements, the court shall
564	calculate and order child support as follows:
565	1.  The court shall make two separate child support
566	calculations, one for each child or group of children residing
567	for a majority of the overnights with each parent.
568	2.  The obligations arising from each initial child support
569	calculation shall be offset. The lower support obligation shall
570	be subtracted from the higher support obligation to determine
571	the split parenting child support obligation.
572	3.  The parent owing the greater amount of child support in
573	subparagraph 1. shall pay the split parenting child support
574	obligation to the other parent.
575	(12)(a)  A parent with a support obligation may have other
576	children living with him or her who were born or adopted after
577	the support obligation arose. If such subsequent children exist,
578	the court, when considering an upward modification of an
579	existing award, may disregard the income from secondary
580	employment obtained in addition to the parent's primary
581	employment if the court determines that the employment was
582	obtained primarily to support the subsequent children.
583	(b)  Except as provided in paragraph (a), the existence of
584	such subsequent children should not as a general rule be
585	considered by the court as a basis for disregarding the amount
586	provided in the guidelines schedules. The parent with a support
587	obligation for subsequent children may raise the existence of
588	such subsequent children as a justification for deviation from
589	the guidelines schedules. However, if the existence of such
590	subsequent children is raised, the income of the other parent of
591	the subsequent children shall be considered by the court in
592	determining whether or not there is a basis for deviation from
593	the guidelines schedules guideline amount.
594	(c)  The issue of subsequent children under paragraph (a)
595	or paragraph (b) may only be raised in a proceeding for an
596	upward modification of an existing award and may not be applied
597	to justify a decrease in an existing award.
598	(13)  If the recurring income is not sufficient to meet the
599	needs of the child, the court may order child support to be paid
600	from nonrecurring income or assets.
601	(14)  Every petition for child support or for modification
602	of child support shall be accompanied by an affidavit which
603	shows the party's income, allowable deductions, and net income
604	computed in accordance with this section. The affidavit shall be
605	served at the same time that the petition is served. The
606	respondent, whether or not a stipulation is entered, shall make
607	an affidavit which shows the party's income, allowable
608	deductions, and net income computed in accordance with this
609	section. The respondent shall include his or her affidavit with
610	the answer to the petition or as soon thereafter as is
611	practicable, but in any case at least 72 hours prior to any
612	hearing on the finances of either party.
613	(15)  For purposes of establishing an obligation for
614	support in accordance with this section, if a person who is
615	receiving public assistance is found to be noncooperative as
616	defined in s. 409.2572, the IV-D agency is authorized to submit
617	to the court an affidavit attesting to the income of the
618	custodial parent based upon information available to the IV-D
619	agency.
620	(16)  The Legislature shall review the guidelines schedules
621	established in this section at least every 4 years beginning in
622	1997.
623	(17)  In an initial determination of child support, whether
624	in a paternity action, dissolution of marriage action, or
625	petition for support during the marriage, the court has
626	discretion to award child support retroactive to the date when
627	the parents did not reside together in the same household with
628	the child, not to exceed a period of 24 months preceding the
629	filing of the petition, regardless of whether that date precedes
630	the filing of the petition. In determining the retroactive award
631	in such cases, the court shall consider the following:
632	(a)  The court shall apply the guidelines schedules in
633	effect at the time of the hearing subject to the obligor's
634	demonstration of his or her actual income, as defined by
635	subsection (2), during the retroactive period. Failure of the
636	obligor to so demonstrate shall result in the court using the
637	obligor's income at the time of the hearing in computing child
638	support for the retroactive period.
639	(b)  All actual payments made by the noncustodial parent to
640	the custodial parent or the child or third parties for the
641	benefit of the child throughout the proposed retroactive period.
642	(c)  The court should consider an installment payment plan
643	for the payment of retroactive child support.
644	Section 3.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section
645	409.2563, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
646	409.2563  Administrative establishment of child support
647	obligations.--
648	(5)  PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT ORDER.--
649	(a)  After serving notice upon the noncustodial parent in
650	accordance with subsection (4), the department shall calculate
651	the noncustodial parent's child support obligation under the
652	child support guidelines schedules as provided by s. 61.30,
653	based on any timely financial affidavits received and other
654	information available to the department. If either parent fails
655	to comply with the requirement to furnish a financial affidavit,
656	the department may proceed on the basis of information available
657	from any source, if such information is sufficiently reliable
658	and detailed to allow calculation of guideline amounts under s.
659	61.30. If the custodial parent receives public assistance and
660	fails to submit a financial affidavit, the department may submit
661	a financial affidavit for the custodial parent pursuant to s.
662	61.30(15). If there is a lack of sufficient reliable information
663	concerning a parent's actual earnings for a current or past
664	period, it shall be presumed for the purpose of establishing a
665	support obligation that the parent had an earning capacity equal
666	to the Florida federal minimum wage on a full-time basis during
667	the applicable period, unless the parent shows that he or she is
668	a resident of another state, in which case the state minimum
669	wage applicable to the parent's state of residence shall apply
670	if it is greater than the Florida minimum wage. In the absence
671	of a state minimum wage or if the other state's minimum wage is
672	lower than the Florida minimum wage, the federal minimum wage
673	shall apply.
674	Section 4.  Subsection (10) of section 409.2564, Florida
675	Statutes, is amended to read:
676	409.2564  Actions for support.--
677	(10)  For the purposes of denial, revocation, or limitation
678	of an individual's United States passport, consistent with 42
679	U.S.C. s. 652(k)(1), the Title IV-D agency shall have procedures
680	to certify to the Secretary of the United States Department of
681	Health and Human Services, in the format and accompanied by such
682	supporting documentation as the secretary may require, a
683	determination that an individual owes arrearages of support in
684	an amount exceeding $2,500 $5,000. Said procedures shall provide
685	that the individual be given notice of the determination and of
686	the consequence thereof and that the individual shall be given
687	an opportunity to contest the accuracy of the determination.
688	Section 5.  Section 409.25641, Florida Statutes, is amended
689	to read:
690	409.25641  Procedures for processing automated
691	administrative enforcement requests.--
692	(1)  The department Title IV-D agency shall use automated
693	administrative enforcement, as defined in Title IV-D of the
694	Social Security Act, in response to a request from another state
695	to enforce a support order and shall promptly report the results
696	of enforcement action to the requesting state.
697	(2)  This request:
698	(a)  May be transmitted from the other state by electronic
699	or other means.;
700	(b)  Shall contain sufficient identifying information to
701	allow comparison with the databases within the state which are
702	available to the department. Title IV-D agency; and
703	(c)  Shall constitute a certification by the requesting
704	state:
705	1.  Of the amount of arrearage accrued under the order; and
706	2.  That the requesting state has complied with all
707	procedural due process requirements applicable to the case.
708	(3)  If assistance is provided by the department Title IV-D
709	agency to another state as prescribed above, the department may
710	not neither state shall consider the case to be transferred from
711	the caseload of the other state to the caseload of the
712	department, but the department may establish a corresponding
713	case based on the other state's request for assistance Title IV-
714	D agency.
715	(4)  The department Title IV-D agency shall maintain a
716	record of:
717	(a)  The number of requests received;
718	(b)  The number of cases for which the department Title IV-
719	D agency collected support in response to such a request; and
720	(c)  The amount of such collected support.
721	(5)  The department shall have authority to adopt rules to
722	implement this section.
723	Section 6.  The Office of Program Policy Analysis and
724	Government Accountability shall evaluate the effectiveness of
725	the system currently used for complying with the federal
726	requirement that each state review its child support guidelines
727	at least once every 4 years. The evaluation shall include a
728	comparison of all available methodologies being utilized by
729	other states in conducting their reviews of their child support
730	guidelines and include recommendations for either maintaining
731	the current review process with the Legislature or transferring
732	the responsibility to another entity. A report shall be
733	submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
734	Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 31, 2008.
735	Section 7.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2007.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.