OLYMPIA -- A forum later this month could lead to changes in how much non-custodial parents are required to pay in child support.

The forum will take place Saturday, May 31, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Ramada Inn at the Spokane Airport, 8909 West Airport Drive.

The forum is sponsored by the Child Support Schedule Workgroup, which was established by the Washington State Legislature in 2007. The workgroup is reviewing 14 specific topics related to child support. It will make recommendations to the Legislature by Dec. 30, 2008. The workgroup includes legislators and individuals representing the courts, prosecuting attorneys, legal services, tribal community, custodial and non-custodial parents, the state’s Division of Child Support, Office of Administrative Hearings, and the Washington State Bar Association.

More information about the project and the 14 topics under review is available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/dcs/resources/workgroup.asp. There is also an e-mail address for those who wish to submit comments to the workgroup at supportschedule@dshs.wa.gov.

"We encourage parents who pay or receive child support to tell us their thoughts on the issues being considered by the workgroup," said David Stillman, director of the Department of Social and Health Services' Division of Child Support. "Their suggestions and concerns will be an important part of the workgroup's final recommendations to the Legislature."

People wishing to speak at the forum are asked to focus their comments on the 14 topics identified by the Legislature for review.

For more information about the forum, contact Bob Shirley at shirlrb@dshs.wa.gov, or (360) 664-5299. Two additional forums are planned later this year on Sept. 13 in Vancouver and Sept. 27 in the Seattle area.