2003 House Bill 4776 ↩

Senate Roll Call 440: Passed

To establish procedures that give more authority to court-appointed referees in child support cases, so that fewer decisions need go before a judge. The bill allows a “de novo” child support hearing to be based on the record of previous referee hearings, rather than requiring new litigation. It also requires the Friend of the Court to establish guidelines for deviating from the state child support formula; gives judges more discretion in appointing referees; and requireS parties to be informed of whether a child's custody preference has been considered. The bill is part of a legislative package comprised of House Bills 4768 to 4777.