Child Support Payments Could Begin at Conception Under Bill

Women in Montana would be able to request child support payments starting at conception if a bill in the Montana House of Representatives becomes law.

The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony for House Bill 288 Thursday. Proponents said fathers should bear part of the financial burden of prenatal care, particularly in unplanned pregnancies.

Opponents, however, said Montana law already allows women to collect child support for prenatal care after a child’s birth and the bill would complicate medical decisions and put victims of sexual and domestic violence at risk of continued assault and...