summary
Introduced
03/27/2025
03/27/2025
In Committee
03/27/2025
03/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill makes changes to the requirements for notice of a change of employer, address, and ability to pay for parties in child support and maintenance agreements. Under current law, the requirements for a notice of a change of employer, address, or ability to pay in child support and maintenance agreements apply only to payers of child support or maintenance. The bill extends these requirements to payees. The bill also specifies that the type of income for which a party must notify the other party of a change is defined by rule by the Department of Children and Families. DCF currently defines Xgross incomeY for child support purposes to include a number of income sources, including wages and salaries, investment income, and certain benefits. The bill establishes that in an order for child support, but not maintenance, neither party is required to disclose income that is not considered gross income under DCF rules and the payee is not required to disclose a change in employer or income if the payer is not a Xshared-placement parent,Y as defined by DCF. LRB-2388/1 MDE:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 163 The bill also removes references to Xfamily support,Y an alternative form of support that combined child support and maintenance into a single obligation. Orders for family support in this state were eliminated by 2021 Wisconsin Act 35. Finally, the bill allows a party to redact certain personally identifying information from an income change notice to another party, establishes the confidentiality of any information disclosed as part of an income change notice, and establishes that an individual who fails to provide an income change notice required under law may be proceeded against for contempt of court and may be required to provide damages, including reasonable attorney fees.
AI Summary
This bill makes comprehensive changes to income change notification requirements in child support and maintenance orders. The legislation extends existing notification rules to both payers and payees, requiring them to inform the county child support agency and each other about changes in address, employer, and income within 10 business days. The bill introduces a definition for "shared-placement parent" as a parent with at least 25% court-ordered placement and responsibility for the child's basic support costs. It specifies that in child support orders, parties are not required to disclose income not considered "gross income" by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and payees do not need to report income changes if the payer is not a shared-placement parent. The bill also allows parties to redact various personally identifying information from income change notices, such as social security numbers, addresses, and account numbers, to protect privacy. Additionally, the legislation establishes that failing to provide required income change notifications can result in contempt of court proceedings and potential financial penalties, including reasonable attorney fees. The bill removes references to "family support," an outdated support category eliminated by previous legislation, and ensures the confidentiality of disclosed information.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (11)
Jesse James (R)*,
Steve Nass (R)*,
David Armstrong (R),
Elijah Behnke (R),
Lindee Brill (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Dan Knodl (R),
Rob Kreibich (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
Jim Piwowarczyk (R),
Ron Tusler (R),
Last Action
Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator James (on 05/19/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb163 |
| Senate Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/SB163-SA1.pdf |
| SB163 ROCP for Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/mental_health_substance_abuse_prevention_children_and_families/1918201.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB163.pdf |
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