SB 16 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits

SB 16 sets clear limits on how much an employer can withhold from a parent's wages for child support payments. It specifies that withholdings cannot exceed a certain percentage of disposable earnings, particularly for parents earning under 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. The bill requires employers to include these limits in withholding notices and allows parents to contest withholdings they believe exceed these limits. This affects low-income parents receiving child support orders and their employers, ensuring withholdings remain within legally defined boundaries.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Oct 31, 2025 Signed May 31, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits Enrolled - Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits · 3 edits · May 31, 2026
MINOR
The bill was finalized and enrolled for the Governor's signature, updating the header to reflect its official status. Substantive text changes include a clarification that earnings deductions cannot exceed specific percentages of disposable income under certain conditions, and a correction to the income threshold language to ensure it accurately reflects the 250% Federal Poverty Guidelines for a single individual.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on child support earnings withholding limits, but the text was refined to improve clarity on income thresholds and deduction caps.
REQUIREMENT

Added specific language stating that the amount deducted from an obligor's earnings may not exceed a certain percentage of disposable earnings under defined circumstances.

TECHNICAL

Corrected a typo in the income threshold description from 'obligor's disposable earnings individual income' to 'obligor's individual income' to ensure accurate application of the 250% Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Updated the bill header and introductory text to reflect that the document is now an 'Enrolled Bill' ready for the Governor's approval.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 30, 2026

How they voted

471
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 49
Mar 27, 2026
D Democratic36
34 Yea 1 Nay 1
94% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
12
Committee
7
Amendments
1
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Enrolled
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Introduced
Senate Concurs House Amendments
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Apr 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary
lower
Mar 30, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (136-0-6)
house of delegates
Mar 27, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (47-1-1)
senate
Mar 17, 2026
Committee
Referred Judiciary
lower
Mar 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion Special Order until 3/11 (Senator Smith) Adopted
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion Special Order until Later Today (Senator Smith) Adopted
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Judicial Proceedings
upper
Oct 31, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Charles Sydnor
Charles Sydnor
DDemocratic
MD
44