Jane Does Nicely Org Submits Pressing Public Testimony to Youngster Assist Activity Pressure – Press Launch

February 15, 2021 / PRZen / WELLESLEY, Mass. – Last week, the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines Task Force held three days of public forums inviting the public to comment on their policies. 9 out of 10 comments were devastating reports (mostly mothers and lawyers representing low-income families) of dire circumstances due to inadequate child support regulations, the court’s refusal to order child support for low- and middle-income custody parents, and diminishing support as a child All these guidelines were the direct result of the last review in 2017.

The stories were heartbreaking. Careful parents use up retirement savings and borrow money to make ends meet. In 2017, the Task Force added extra burdens to parents in need by reducing the obligation of non-caring parents to share medical expenses and childcare costs equally (allowing caregivers to work) . The caring parents now pay 85% of these costs. Another devastating blow to caring parents has been the 25% reduction in assistance once a child is 18 years old. The court suspected the child was “possibly” in college. For a court claiming to be the arbiter of evidence and fact, changing policies without evidence or fact on whether a kid is “gone” in college was a new low point.

There were also several comments regarding the conflict of interest of the advisor charged with preparing the economic review. Several comments disproved the consultant’s findings, indicating that the consultant is a for-profit lobbyist serving the interests of the debtors. Criticism of the task force included concerns about the use of public funds and the lack of transparency throughout the process.

Jane Does Well highlighted several recommendations previously made to the Task Force for the Good of Families and shared her compelling research on how and why Massachusetts stands alone when it comes to childcare:

Massachusetts is the only state in the nation that revokes a party’s right to spousal support for caring for children.

Massachusetts is the only state in the nation that arbitrarily and allegedly decreases child support when a child reaches a certain age with no evidence or facts.

Massachusetts is the only state in the nation that has multiple child support adjustments 50% below national standards and adjacent state benchmarks.

Massachusetts is the only state in the nation that has a 15% cap on non-caring parents’ maintenance obligations for medical and childcare expenses.

Massachusetts is the only state in the nation that uses public funds to hire for-profit advisors who are of special interest and benefit from reduced child support.

Massachusetts child benefit policy, once the shining example of “child welfare,” is now an outlier. It has become nothing more than a failed, secret process that lacks accountability and is undermined by special interests.

Jane Does Well is committed to women and children. Please contact us with your stories and concerns.

Follow the full story here: https://przen.com/pr/33386993