New York A 3531: Authorizes expedited settlement conference processes for establishing child support orders

Bill Text

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A03531 Summary:

BILL NOA03531 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS S00245

&nbsp

SPONSORReyes

&nbsp

COSPNSRHevesi, Davila

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Amd §439-a, Fam Ct Act

&nbsp

Authorizes expedited settlement conference processes for establishing child support orders where both parties voluntarily agree on the process.

Go to top A03531 Actions:

BILL NOA03531 

&nbsp

01/28/2025referred to judiciary

01/07/2026referred to judiciary

Go to topA03531 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA03531 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA03531 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 3531

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 January 28, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. REYES, HEVESI, DAVILA -- read once and referred
 to the Committee on Judiciary

 AN ACT to amend the family court act, in relation to authorizing expe-
 dited settlement conference processes for establishing child support
 orders

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Subdivisions (c) and (d) of section 439-a of the family
 2 court act are relettered (d) and (e) and a new subdivision (c) is added
 3 to read as follows:
 4 (c) (i) Purpose. To authorize the development of expedited settlement
 5 conference processes in each family court to facilitate the establish-
 6 ment of child support orders pursuant to section four hundred thirteen
 7 of this article consistent with the state's child support guidelines for
 8 parents who agree on child support and seek to voluntarily engage in a
 9 settlement conference, expedited settlement conferences shall be author-
 10 ized and developed pursuant to this section. Such expedited settlement
 11 conferences are not for the purpose of parents' negotiation or mediation
 12 of disputes concerning income or issues related to the determination of
 13 child support. Further, such expedited settlement conferences are not
 14 for use in actions brought by public welfare officials for support
 15 pursuant to subdivision one of section one hundred two of the social
 16 services law. The court administration shall promulgate or amend forms
 17 as necessary to implement the terms of this section.
 18 (ii) Initiating the expedited settlement conference. (A) An expedited
 19 settlement conference may be initiated:
 20 (1) by a petitioner selecting the option for a conference on the peti-
 21 tion, with no objection by the respondent.
 22 (2) by referral from a family court.
 23 (B) Parties seeking to engage in an expedited settlement conference
 24 shall apply for child support services pursuant to title IV-d of the

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD00853-01-5

 A. 3531 2

 1 federal social security act, either by indication on the petition for
 2 support or on the stipulation for child support.
 3 (C) The following cases shall be excluded from an expedited settlement
 4 conference process:
 5 (1) Cases that involve minor parents who are unrepresented by legal
 6 counsel.
 7 (2) Cases that require a determination of parentage.
 8 (3) Cases between parties who are also parties to a temporary or final
 9 order of protection issued by any court of competent jurisdiction.
 10 (4) Cases that involve spousal support in addition to child support.
 11 (iii) Exchange of financial affidavits and supporting documentation.
 12 The parties shall exchange financial affidavits and supporting documen-
 13 tation in accordance with section four hundred twenty-four-a of this
 14 article, unless the parties expressly waive all or further financial
 15 disclosure.
 16 (iv) Conduct of the conference. (A) At the outset of the expedited
 17 settlement conference, the parties shall be informed as to how the
 18 conference will proceed. Such notice shall include, but not be limited
 19 to:
 20 (1) that the parties have a right to consult with or retain an attor-
 21 ney prior to reaching agreement;
 22 (2) that participation in the conference is voluntary and that, at any
 23 time during the conference, either party can indicate that they choose
 24 to discontinue the conference for any reason;
 25 (3) that section four hundred twenty-