Family Law - Child Support - Determination of Custody and Agreements Between Parents
Sponsor: Nick Charles (District 25)Committee: Judicial ProceedingsSubject: Family LawStatus: Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m. (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
Requiring that a court determine custody before awarding child support under certain circumstances; and establishing a conclusive presumption that the application of the child support guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate if the parents mutually assert that the agreement is in the best interest of the child.
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Testimony (11)
MGA witness listFAV 5FavorableFWA 1Favorable with amendmentsUNF 4UnfavorableINFO 1Information only
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Alberts, Zachary | Center for Urban Families | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Smith Sr, David | Children's Rights Fund / 100 Fathers, Inc | Oral |
| FAV | Dews, Christopherlobbyist | Dews & Associates | Oral |
| FAV | Burton, D'wan | Out For Justice | Oral |
| FAV | Senator Charles, Senator Charleslegislator | Individual | Oral |
| UNF | Smith, Michelle | MSBA FLSC | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Vormelker, Will | Maryland Judiciary | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Ruth, Laure | Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | OMalley, Catherine | Women's Law Center | Position only |
| FWA | Vora, Amee | Maryland Legal Aid | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| INFO | Brown-Burnett, Gloria | Department of Human Services | Written (PDF) |
Organizations on record
Registered lobbyists who testified
FAVDews, ChristopherDews & AssociatesRegistered for: Advance Maryland Education Fund; Beyond Impact; Center for Urban Families; Dews & Associates; Out for Justice, Inc.; REFORM Alliance…