Oregon Attorney General’s Responds to the Recession With Changes to the Child Support Program

The following email was sent to Oregon family law lawyers on May 5, 2009:

“Greetings,

As you know, the Attorney General has initiated a special project to respond to current economic crisis.  The goal of this project is to speed the entry of fair and enforceable orders.  We are also hoping to use the project as an opportunity to try out some other changes in the guidelines and procedures.

There are two important changes that will become effective May 7, 2009.  First, at the request of the Division of Child Support, the legislature has enacted and the Governor signed emergency legislation and rules authorizing the temporary modification of existing orders based upon employment related loss of income to either parent.  HB 2275A.  These temporary modifications are only available through the child support program, either through the Division of Child Support (DCS) or through District Attorneys offices.  Private attorneys and the court cannot independently issue temporary modifications.  DCS has established a specialized unit in Salem called the “Recession Response Team” (RRT) to handle these modifications, using streamlined procedures designed to encourage consent and expedite modifications.  Parents can access this team through the DCS interactive telephone system, by dialing 1-800-850-0228 and listening to the instructions.

The second change is to the child support guidelines themselves.  The most significant changes include a cap on child care costs, adjustments relating to medical support orders and the establishment of a presumption $100 minimum order.”

The proposed rules are currently posted on the DOJ/DCS website in draft form: http://www.dcs.state.or.us/oregon_admin_rules/child_support_rules/draft.htm