Bill > HB1144

This bill modifies the definition of "adjusted actual income," which is a key component in calculating child support obligations in Maryland. Adjusted actual income is essentially a parent's income after certain deductions. The bill changes the criteria for one of these deductions: the allowance for children living in a parent's home who are not subject to the current child support order. Previously, this allowance was based on a parent having the child for more than 92 overnights a year; the bill now changes this to 25% of the child's overnights, which is still at least 92 overnights, but also introduces a new calculation method for this allowance, involving determining the basic child support obligation for the additional child and then multiplying that amount by 75%, with the court retaining the ability to deny this allowance if it's deemed unjust or inappropriate. The bill also clarifies that alimony or maintenance payments are subtracted from a parent's income before child support is calculated, and that alimony or maintenance received is considered income for the recipient. This change aims to ensure child support calculations more accurately reflect a parent's available income after accounting for other financial obligations and the needs of other children in their care.

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https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1144?ys=2026RS