§48-17-109. General duties of support enforcement commission.
(a) Federal law requires that each state periodically review the formula used to set child support obligations to determine appropriate awards for the support of children. States are required to consider current research and data on the costs of and expenditures necessary for rearing children. A process for review of the guidelines should be established to ensure the integrity of the formula and reviews undertaken to comply with federal law.
(b) The commission shall review and analyze:
(1) The current child support guidelines;
(2) Relevant research and data regarding the cost of child rearing;
(3) Research and data on the application of, and deviations from, the child support guidelines;
(4) Current law, administrative rules and practices regarding child support; and
(5) Any other data the commission deems relevant to the review of the current child support guidelines.
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In April 2022, the West Virginia Support Enforcement Commission began its review of the child support guidelines as required by the Federal Office of Child Support Services. In January 2023, the West Virginia Support Enforcement Commission finished their review, which was presented to the West Virginia Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability, 2023 West Virginia Support Enforcement Commission Report. As a result of the review and recommendations, the Child Support Guidelines were revised in the 2023 Legislative sessions - Regular and Special and can be found in WV Code §48-13-101 et seq.
The West Virginia Support Enforcement Commission reviews the child support guidelines every four years. The next guideline review is due in April 2026.
Members of the Commission
Ann L. Haight
Megan Hatfield
Allyson E. Hilliard
Dr. W. Shane Holmes
Dr. Marjorie McDiarmid
Tina A. Mitchell
Melody Pendergrass
Heidi L. Talmage
The Honorable Heather A. Wood