Brief Description: Revising the distribution of child support amongst multiple cases.

Sponsors: Representatives Pettigrew, Delvin and Dickerson; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Hearing Date: 1/28/04

Staff: Sonja Hallum (786-7092).

Background:

The Division of Child Support (DCS) has a significant number of cases throughout the state for which they are collecting support. Support paid to DCS is deposited in a registry and must be distributed to the family or families to whom support is owed. Support collected for families receiving public assistance is retained by the state.

If the obligor has multiple cases, DCS must divide the support payment between the cases. DCS will apply a support payment to an obligor's current support obligations first. If current support is owed to multiple families, support is paid to each family proportionally based upon the amount of current support owed each family. Once current support is fully satisfied, any additional money is applied to any arrearage and divided among the families based on the proportionate size of the debts, subject to minor exceptions.

Summary of Bill:

The bill distinguishes between distribution of support for current support payments and past-due support payments. The Department of Social and Health Services (Department) is required to develop rules for the proportionate distribution of current support payments if a responsible parent owes a support obligation for two or more Title IV-D cases under the Social Security Act. The Department is also required to develop distribution of past-due support payments if a responsible parent owes a support obligation for two or more Title IV-D cases under the Social Security Act; however, the distribution is not required to be proportionate.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.