The Georgia Commission on Child Support (hereinafter “Commission”) is seeking public comments for the 2026 Economic Study of the Child Support Guidelines and the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) table used in the calculation of child support. Georgia’s Income Shares Guidelines, O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15, was effective January 1, 2007, and may be viewed here.

Every four years the Commission authorizes and has conducted an economic study, pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations, 45 CFR 302.56(h)(3), and state law at O.C.G.A. § 19-6-50 and O.C.G.A. § 19-6-53, to determine the appropriateness of child support order amounts across our state. In addition to the economic study, a case sampling of child support orders and their worksheets will also be reviewed for inclusion in the study. The law says:

45 CFR 302.56(h)(3) “Provide a meaningful opportunity for public input, including input from low-income custodial and noncustodial parents and their representatives. The State must also obtain the views and advice of the State child support agency funded under title IV-D of the Act.” [The state child support agency is the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS).]

Comments received will be considered by the Economic Subcommittee and the Child Support Commission. The Commission consists of 15 members appointed by the Governor of Georgia to serve specific terms. The membership must consist of three superior court judges, one Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court or a Judge of the Court of Appeals, or their respective designees, two members of the House of Representatives and two members of the Senate, and seven other members, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 19-6-51. The current Commission members are:

1. Judge R. Michael Key, Chair

2. Mr. Charles (“Chuck”) Clay

3. Ms. Kathleen (“Katie”) Connell

4. Representative Chuck Efstration

5. Rep. Houston Gaines

6. Sen. Emanuel Jones

7. Judge Lisa C. Jones

8. Judge Emory Palmer

9. Regina Quick, Esq.

10. Sen. Brian Strickland

11. Dr. Roger Tutterow

12. Judge Connie L. Williford, Vice-Chair

13. Judge Lisa G. Colbert

14. Justice Benjamin Land

15. Christina L. Scott

The Commission has made available three different ways for you to provide comments:
* You may register and attend one of the two listening sessions, in-person or virtually.
* You may provide written comments on this website; and/or
*You may mail your comments to a designated mailing address.

One of the listening sessions will be conducted using Zoom Webinar. What is Zoom Webinar? Zoom is an Internet platform used for virtual/online meetings, training events, and other communications. You must have an Internet connection to participate in a listening session, but there is no cost for you to use Zoom, and you do not have to set up a Zoom user account, download, or purchase any software to participate in a listening session.

We have 22 time slots open for registration for you and other participants to have an opportunity to speak before the Child Support Commission and the Economic Subcommittee. We ask that you sign up for one time slot. Each speaker will be allowed five minutes maximum to talk. When your five minutes has expired, the host will mute your audio, and your speaking time will end. During the Zoom Webinar you will be unable to share video, and you will only be able to speak when you are un-muted by the host.

Two days before the listening session, the Child Support Commission staff will send you an email using the email address you entered as you registered for a listening session. That email will include the Zoom Webinar link and additional important details on participating in a listening session. When it is time for you to participate in the listening session, you will click the link in that email to join.

Alternatively, if you register for the in-person listening session, you will also receive five minutes to speak. Two days before the listening session, the Child Support Commission staff will send you an email using the email address you entered as you registered for the listening session to provide you with directions for the event.

 

To mail your comments, please utilize the following address

Judicial Council, Administrative Office of the Courts
Georgia Commission on Child Support
Attn: Mail Stop LL
244 Washington Street, Suite 300
Atlanta GA 30334