HB510: HB510 Domestic relations; duration of child support for postsecondary education; provide

25 LC 48 1477 House Bill 510 By: Representatives Jackson of the 68th, Schofield of the 63rd, Alexander of the 66th, Davis of the 87th, Glaize of the 67th, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 19-6-15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to child1 support guidelines for determining amount of award, continuatio n of duty of support, and2 duration of support, so as to provide for the duration of child support for postsecondary3 education; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability;4 to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Code Section 19-6-15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to child support8 guidelines for determining amount of award, continuation of duty of support, and duration9 of support, is amended by revising subsection (e) as follows:10 "(e)(1) Duration of child support responsibility. The duty to provide support for a11 minor child shall continue until the child reaches the age of m ajority, dies, marries, or12 becomes emancipated, whichever first occurs; provided, however, that, in any temporary,13 final, or modified order for child support with respect to any proceeding for divorce,14 separate maintenance, legitimacy, or paternity entered on or after July 1, 1992, the court,15 in the exercise of sound discretion, may direct either or both parents to provide financial16 H. B. 510 - 1 - 25 LC 48 1477 assistance to a child who has not previously married or become emancipated, who is17 enrolled in and attending a secondary school, and who has attained the age of majority18 before completing his or her secondary school education, provid ed that such financial19 assistance shall not be required after a child attains 20 years of age. The provisions for20 child support provided in this subsection paragraph may be enforced by either parent, by21 any nonparent custodian, by a guardian appointed to receive child support for the child22 for whose benefit the child support is ordered, or by the child for whose benefit the child23 support is ordered.24 (2) Duration of child support for postsecondary education. In any temporary, final,25 or modified order for child support with respect to any proceeding for divorce, separate26 maintenance, legitimacy, or paternity entered on or after July 1, 2025, the court, in the27 exercise of sound discretion, may direct either or both parents to provide financial28 assistance to a child who is enrolled in and attending a techni cal school, vocational29 school, college, university, or other institution of postsecondary education, provided that30 such financial assistance shall not be required after a child attains 24 years of age. The31 court shall require verification of such enrollment and attenda nce. In determining the32 amount of such financial assistance, the court shall consider the amount of tuition as well33 as additional fees and expenses related to such enrollment and attendance. The34 provisions for child support provided in this paragraph may be enforced by either parent,35 by any nonparent custodian, by a guardian appointed to receive child support for the child36 for whose benefit the child support is ordered, or by the child for whose benefit the child37 support is ordered."38 SECTION 2.39 This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2025, and shall apply to all support orders entered40 on or after such date.41 H. B. 510 - 2 - 25 LC 48 1477 SECTION 3.42 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.43 H. B. 510 - 3 -