State lawmakers are cheering the final approval of a new law that will allow the parents of adults with developmental disabilities to continue to receive child support payments. 

The measure approved this month by Gov. Kathy Hochul allows parents of children with developmental disabilities to petition courts to receive support payments until their child is 26 -- providing expanded years of support for families. 

“This critical, common-sense piece of bi-partisan legislation will help the custodial parents of dependent adult-age children with disabilities support and provide for their families,” said Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, who sponsored the bill alongside Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh. “The needs of children with disabilities extend beyond the age of majority, and child support payments can be a lifeline for custodial parents to care for and meet the needs of their children

Forty other states have similar laws on the books that allow parents of children with developmental disabilities to continue to receive child support payments past the age of 21. 

"Divorce is an unfortunate reality for many families throughout New York State, including families with a child who is intellectually and/or developmentally disabled," Walsh said. "When these families separate, providing the best possible support and services for these individuals is even more challenging. This important piece of legislation recognizes that just because a child or adult child dependent reaches the age of 21, their day-to-day needs do not end."