A coalition of women’s groups, including the National Organization for Women, the League of Women Voters, the Breastfeeding Coalition, the National Council of Jewish Women, and UniteWomen FL, will be opposed on Tuesday in Tallahassee Senate Act 668, a family law measure awaiting governor Rick scott‘s signature.
The new law would provide judges with a formula to use when deciding on child support payments in Florida and, more controversially, establish a premise that an underage child should spend approximately the same amount of time with each parent.
The Florida Bar Association’s Family Law Department supports the Alimony the bill, but not the child participation component.
The move has generated strong support – and opposition – as advocates on both sides await the governor’s decision.
“The media conference is being held to convince Governor Scott to veto this bill,” said the Jacksonville family law attorney Heather fast.
Speakers for the event, which begins at 10:45 am on the steps between the new and old capitals, include Quick, NOW’s Barbara DeVane, and Polk County Judges Robert Doyel.
“It is not just upkeep that will be affected by the proposed legislation, but also timeshare,” said Quick. “The bill provides for a 50/50 timeshare split. This affects child benefit payments. More timeshare means fewer payments. Regardless of whether the child is more connected to one parent than to another, or if one parent works longer hours, or if the parent has emotional problems or substance abuse problems – there will be an equal distribution. The children should have a say in who they want to live with. And that person should be able to afford their clothes, food, and activities. We need to ask ourselves, ‘What is in the best interests of the child?’ “
Scott vetoed an earlier version of the proposal three years ago, but changes have been made to the legislation in the meantime.
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