CINCINNATI -- The Ohio House approved a bill in Columbus Thursday to update the state guidelines used to calculate child support payments.
Advocates say House Bill 366 will allow more appropriate payments to be made based on a parent's ability to pay.
The bill creates a standard deduction when parents have multiple child support orders. It also takes into account the time a child spends with the non-custodial parent.
Monique Gilliam receives child support for two of her four children. She said the current system can cause parents who are are willing but financially unable to pay "feel like they're wallowing in an unsurmountable debt."
"Changing the way a parent pays based on their ability to pay, I agree with that," Gilliam said.
West Chester family attorney Greg Vogt said this is the first time in more than a quarter-of-a-century that there have been any significant changes to the child support law in Ohio. He said the bill creates a simpler approach, rather than leaving decisions up to different courts.
"We're going to basically have a more consistent approach to the court system," he said.
The bill next goes to Gov. John Kasich for his signature.
