Summary of Child Support, Fatherhood, and Marriage Provisions in House and Senate Versions of H.R. 4

Publication Date: November 2003

Publisher: Center for Law and Social Policy

Author(s): Vicki Turetsky

Research Area: Social conditions

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

On February 13, 2003, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) reauthorization bill. On September 10, 2003, the Senate Finance Committee approved its version of H.R. 4. Both Senate Finance Committee and House versions include a number of important child support provisions. In addition, both versions would authorize new spending for marriage and fatherhood initiatives and increase spending for access and visitation grants. This paper describes the child support, fatherhood, and marriage provisions in the bills.