A Summary of the "Children First Child Support Reform Act of 1999" and the "Fathers Count Act of 1999."

This Policy Brief will summarize the "Children First Child Support Reform Act of 1999" and the "Fathers Count Act of 1999." Although these bills did not become law this legislative session, they are likely to be contended with in similar forms in future sessions. This brief is intended to clarify the actual provisions of each bill in order to facilitate a clear understanding of the specifics in future debates on such provisions. The "Children First Child Support Reform Act of 1999," sponsored by Senator Herb Kohl, was referred to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance but was not acted on in committee before Congress adjourned. The "Fathers Count Act of 1999" was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 328 to 93, but the Senate did not take action on it. Many of the provisions not directly related to the fatherhood grants, but added to this bill, were subsequently added to the final omnibus budget bill, H.R. 3194, which was passed on November 19, 1999. (Author abstract)