DelawareFamily Court weighs reunification before support charges for children in care
For children served by the state department, Family Court must find that support payments would not hinder proposed reunification before a person can be held liable.
What it does
For a child served by the state department, a person liable for support is not liable for the child’s care and support unless Family Court finds payment will not hinder proposed reunification.
After Family Court finds a person liable, the Department may seek money for the child’s care and support, based on that person’s ability to pay.
Argument forConsidering reunification plans before finding someone liable could help families avoid payments that might get in the way.
Argument againstPeople who can pay may still face collection for a child’s care and support if Family Court finds payment would not hinder reunification.
More detail
Family Court must find that payment would not hinder reunification before a person can be held liable. This applies to a child committed or admitted to a service provided by the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families. The person must be liable under state law for supporting the child. The court must find that payment will not pose a barrier to proposed reunification efforts. This applies to liabilities incurred after the Act’s effective date. It does not affect liabilities incurred before that date.
The Department may collect money from a person Family Court finds liable. This applies after Family Court finds a person liable under the rule for a child’s care and support. Collection is based on the person’s ability to pay and follows the referenced state law. This applies to liabilities incurred after the Act’s effective date. It does not affect liabilities incurred before that date.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 24Signed by Governor Matt MeyerBecame Law
- Jun 30Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YESPassed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 25Reported Out of Committee (Finance) in Senate with 4 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 24Assigned to Finance Committee in SenateMinor
- Jun 24Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 6 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 18Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in SenateMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 18Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 2 ABSENTPassed House
- Jun 18Amendment HA 1 to HB 341 - Passed In House by Voice VoteMajor
- Jun 16Reported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 6 On Its MeritsMinor
- Apr 16Assigned to Appropriations Committee in HouseMinor
- Apr 16Amendment HA 1 to HB 341 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Apr 15Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 2 Favorable, 11 On Its MeritsMinor
- Apr 9Introduced and Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in HouseIntroduced