Julia Carson Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act of 2015

The Julia Carson Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act of 2015 proposes a series of reforms to the nation’s welfare and child support systems to better support low-income families and noncustodial parents. The bill would establish employment programs for parents who struggle to pay child support and would require states to pass through the full amount of collected child support directly to families rather than keeping a portion to offset government costs. Additionally, it would increase the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for workers without qualifying children and remove certain work-requirement barriers for two-parent households receiving assistance.

For the average citizen, these changes are designed to reduce financial strain on single-parent households while providing noncustodial parents with the tools and job training necessary to meet their financial obligations. By prohibiting states from recovering Medicaid birth costs from parents and expanding access to vocational training, the bill aims to keep more money in the hands of families and encourage stable, two-parent involvement in a child’s life. The legislation also includes provisions for domestic violence prevention and ensures that participation in fatherhood or marriage programs remains voluntary for those receiving public benefits.