Indiana House of Representatives Republican Caucus: State Representative Cindy Kirchhofer

Thank you for visiting my website. I hope you will find all of the provided information and links useful and interesting.

As your representative, I am honored to represent and excited to serve the people of House District 89.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you in the upcoming legislative session.

Sincerely,

Cindy Kirchhofer
State Representative
House District 89

Rep. Kirchhofer supports balance to child support

STATEHOUSE—State Representative Cindy Kirchhofer (R-Beech Grove) sponsored a Senate bill in the House of Representatives that modifies the length of time to provide child support. Senate Bill (SB) 18 passed the House with a 67-28 vote.

Under current Indiana law, the duty to provide child support ceases when the child becomes emancipated or becomes 21 years old. SB 18 decreases the non-emancipated age from 21 to 19.

“Constituents have come forward and expressed concern with supporting a child who is between 19 and 21 years of age who is not motivated to go to college or work,” said Rep. Kirchhofer. “Education is very important; we want parents to be able to help with those expenses if the child is committed to it.”

If a child turns 19 years old and is receiving support under an order issued before July 1, 2012, they may file a petition for educational needs until they turn 21 years old. For any court ordered support issued after June 30, 2012, the child is eligible to petition for educational needs until 19 years of age.

“Married parents do not have to support a child up to the age of 21,” said Rep. Kirchhofer. “This bill levels the playing field for all parents, married or not.”

Last year, Rep. Kirchhofer brought forward a similar bill through the Family, Children and Human Affairs committee, but it could not progress due to the absence of the House Democrats.

SB 18, which will become effective on July 1, 2012, now moves to the governor’s office to be signed in to law.