Liston introduces bipartisan legislation to ensure families receive child support payments

State Reps. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) and Sarah LaTourette (R-Chesterland) today introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure that child support funds stay with Ohio families regardless of whether they receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.

“Child support is money that parents pay to give their children opportunity,” said Rep. Liston. “We are working across the aisle to ensure Ohio's children have what is necessary to thrive. ”

Currently, Ohio takes child support money from families who receive TANF and applies it to the costs of the program.  Rep. Liston's bill would ensure that Ohio's neediest children have access to the resources that their parents provide.

“This bill helps families keep their hard-earned money,” added Liston.

The legislation would also stipulate that child support money up to $100 per child each month would not be included in TANF benefit calculations, for a maximum of $200 a month, to help prevent families from losing benefits. Half of states in the U.S. have implemented similar laws to allow money to stay with children and families.

After receiving a bill number, the legislation will be assigned to a committee for its initial hearings.