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MarylandHB 06812025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Child Support - Driver's License Suspension for Arrearages and Court Orders

Sponsored By: Karen Toles (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Family LawVehicle Laws - Licensing and RegulationAdministrative AgenciesCourt OrdersDrivers' LicensesFamily Law -see also- Adoption; Alimony; Annulment; etc.ReportsSupport of Dependents -see also- AlimonyTime

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Parents get license review and reinstatement rights

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland's Child Support Administration must give written notice and time to request an investigation before seeking suspension. Review grounds include inaccurate overdue-support information, harm to current or likely employment, or documented disability hardship showing inability to work or comply. The agency must investigate, let the support recipient respond, and explain its findings and appeal rights. A written appeal must reach the Office of Administrative Hearings within 20 days after notice of the investigation result. The agency cannot seek suspension when review establishes a qualifying ground or the parent follows an agreed or court-ordered overdue-support payment schedule. It must request reinstatement after full repayment, six consecutive months of ordered payments, compliance with an approved employment program, or when reporting grounds no longer exist. Following a payment arrangement or court order also provides a path to reinstatement. The agency may request removal of the suspension record for compliant employment-program participants or when inaccurate information caused suspension.

License suspension limits for unpaid child support

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland requires license suspension after 120 days out of compliance with the latest child-support order, subject to safeguards. This threshold covers both regular and commercial licenses. The Child Support Administration must have accepted an assignment of support, or the recipient must have applied for enforcement services. Parents with current-year individual income at or below 250% of federal poverty guidelines are exempt. The exemption does not apply if a court found voluntary impoverishment when entering the latest support order. The Motor Vehicle Administration may issue a work-restricted license.

Courts can weigh low-income parents' remaining income

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland courts may consider parents' remaining income when deciding whether standard child-support amounts are unfair. The test asks whether monthly support leaves actual monthly income below 110% of the 2019 federal poverty level for one person. This does not guarantee a lower payment or set a new support amount. Any reduction lowers both the paying parent's bill and the support owed to the receiving household.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Karen Toles

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Gabriel Acevero

    Democratic • House

  • Jackie Addison

    Democratic • House

  • Marlon Amprey

    Democratic • House

  • Frank M. Conaway

    Democratic • House

  • Charlotte Crutchfield

    Democratic • House

  • Marvin E. Holmes

    Democratic • House

  • Ashanti Martinez

    Democratic • House

  • Cheryl E. Pasteur

    Democratic • House

  • Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk

    Democratic • House

  • Kent Roberson

    Democratic • House

  • Malcolm P. Ruff

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole A. Williams

    Democratic • House

  • Jamila J. Woods

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 160 • No: 25

Senate vote • 4/7/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 47 • No: 0

House vote • 3/13/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 113 • No: 25 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 578

    5/13/2025

  2. Returned Passed

    4/7/2025House

  3. Third Reading Passed (47-0)

    4/7/2025Senate

  4. Second Reading Passed

    4/7/2025Senate

  5. Favorable Adopted

    4/7/2025Senate

  6. Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings

    4/7/2025Senate

  7. Referred Judicial Proceedings

    3/14/2025Senate

  8. Third Reading Passed (113-25)

    3/13/2025House

  9. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    3/12/2025House

  10. Favorable Report by Judiciary

    3/12/2025House

  11. Hearing 2/20 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/17/2025House

  12. Hearing canceled

    2/17/2025House

  13. Hearing 2/20 at 11:00 a.m.

    2/17/2025House

  14. Hearing canceled

    2/17/2025House

  15. Hearing 2/20 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/31/2025House

  16. First Reading Judiciary

    1/24/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/13/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/12/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/24/2025

    PDF

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