Family Law includes many areas, such as marriage, divorce, and custody and visitation. Legislators are frequently called upon to make decisions on these sensitive issues. NCSL can help provide balanced information and other assistance, such as an educational presentation for legislators, staff and other state leaders, testimony before a legislative committee, or a roundtable discussion with experts we've brought in to assist in understanding a particular issue.
Same-sex marriage is becoming an increasingly important issue for policymakers, now that a handful states allow same-sex couples to marry and more than a dozen offer civil unions or domestic partnerships. NCSL carefully tracks developments, both legislative and judicial, to help lawmakers stay apprised of this growing area.
Child Support is essential to keep children out of poverty. Approximately half of America's children live in single-parent families at some point in their lives, and child support is often critical in supporting their families. As states struggle to adequately serve this population and meet federal program requirements, NCSL can provide information and assistance to states on child support guidelines, enforcement, program structure and many more child support topics.
Staff also provide assistance on the critical issue of domestic violence, including services to victims, penalties and treatment for batterers, and responses to help children in violent families.
D.C. Staff: