Feds Propose Cutting Red Tape on Child Support Rules
Published Date: 6/18/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government wants to make child support programs easier by cutting out old, confusing rules that slow things down. This change affects states and tribes running these programs and aims to save time and money while keeping everything running smoothly. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until July 20, 2026, to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Remove Duplicate Child Support Rules
The Administration for Children and Families proposes to remove numerous regulations that it says are duplicative or obsolete across 45 CFR parts 301 through 310 (for example, sections such as 301.0, 301.10, 302.11, 303.32, 304.12, 305.42, 307.0, 308.3, 309.01, 309.165, and 310.0). The agency says this rescission is intended to reduce regulatory burden for States and Tribes that run Title IV-D child support programs while keeping statutory obligations in effect.
Families’ Child Support Service Stay Same
ACF states that removing these regulatory sections will not change the underlying statutory obligations or the operation of the child support program, so services to children and families are expected to continue. If you are a parent or guardian of children, the rule says program requirements in statute remain in effect even if duplicative regulatory text is removed.
No New Paperwork Burdens
The proposed rule states it contains no new information collection requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act and will not create new OMB-approved paperwork burdens. ACF also certifies the proposal would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11530, Employment and Training Services for Noncustodial Parents in the Child Support Program; Rescission
The government plans to cancel a recent rule that let child support agencies offer job training to noncustodial parents using federal funds. This change affects agencies and parents involved in the child support program and could shift how support services are funded and delivered. Comments on this proposal are open until August 10, 2026, so folks have time to weigh in before it’s final.
2026-09383, Restoring Flexibility To Support Head Start Program Access
The government wants to give Head Start programs more freedom by removing some strict rules about staff wages and benefits. This change aims to save over $2 billion and help programs serve more kids better. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 11, 2026!
2026-06632, Work Participation Rate Calculation Changes: Recalibration of the Caseload Reduction Credit and Prohibition of Small Checks in Work Participation Rate Calculation
The government is updating how it measures work participation for families getting help through TANF. They’re changing the base year for counting caseload drops from 2005 to 2015 and won’t count tiny monthly payments under $35 in work rate calculations. These changes, required by a 2023 law, affect states and could impact funding starting soon, so everyone should pay attention and share their thoughts by May 6, 2026.
2026-15413, Announcement of the Intent To Award Single-Source Grants (Multiple Recipients) for Necessary Expenses Directly Related to the Consequences of Hurricanes Fiona and Ian
ACF/OHS announces its intent to award multiple single-source grants totaling $143,436,162 to select organizations operating a Head Start grant in Florida, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico who demonstrated Head Start services in the affective areas were either disrupted or impacted by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian. These awards are for necessary expenses directly related to the consequences of Hurricanes Fiona and Ian, including replacement of damaged or destroyed property and facilities, and increased mental health support.
2026-15150, Notice of Final Issuance on the Adoption of Administration for Native Americans Program Policies and Procedures
ANA is issuing final interpretive rules, general statements of policy, and rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice relating to the following Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs): Economic Advancement Grants for Local Empowerment (EAGLE), AI3 Action Institute--Artificial Intelligence for American Indians (AI3 Action Institute), and the National Center for Native Training and Technical Assistance (NCNTTA).
2026-15087, Proposed Information Collection Activity; Mental Health Assessment Form and Onsite Health Intervention Form
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is requesting a 3-year extension with changes of the Mental Health Assessment Form and Onsite Health Intervention Form (formerly Public Health Investigation Form: Non-TB Illness, and Public Health Investigation Form: Active TB, OMB # 0970- 0509, expiration 9/30/2026). Proposed revisions include merging two forms (Public Health Investigation Forms, Active TB and Non-TB Illness) into the single Onsite Health Intervention (OHI) Form. The proposed restructuring and revisions will improve transparency, lessen burden, improve data quality, and ensure alignment with ORR requirements. In addition, to ensure continuity of care, the request has been revised to include the sharing of health information with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in specific circumstances.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-12234, Wireline Competition Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics Seek Comment on Proposed 2026 Mandatory Data Collection for Incarcerated People's Communications Services
The FCC wants to collect new info in 2026 about phone and video calls for people in jail to help set fair prices. This affects companies that provide these services and aims to make reporting easier for them. Comments on the plan are open until mid-July, so everyone can share their thoughts before any changes happen.
Next: 2026-12337, Request for Information: Identifying Regulations To Facilitate Innovation and Competition to Financial Products and Services for Fintech Firms
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission wants to hear from fintech companies and others about rules that might be making it hard for new financial tech to grow and compete. They’re looking to update or remove any tricky regulations to help fintech firms team up with financial players more easily, while still keeping things safe and fair. If you have ideas, send them in by July 9, 2026!