HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5791

                  As Passed House - Amended

                       April 17, 1993

Title:  An act relating to mandatory provisions in child support orders.

Brief Description:  Changing child support provisions.

Sponsors:  Senators A. Smith and Rinehart; by request of Attorney General.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, April 2, 1993, DP;

  Passed House - Amended, April 17, 1993, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 16 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Ballasiotes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Chappell; Johanson; Locke; Long; Mastin; H. Myers; Riley; Schmidt; Scott; Tate; and Wineberry.

Staff:  Patricia Shelledy (786-7149).

Background:  States must comply with numerous federal requirements to obtain federal funding for child support enforcement programs.  Effective July 10, 1992, federal regulations require states to include two new items in child support orders.

First, in cases governed by federal requirements, a support order must include a provision requiring the obligor parent to keep the state Office of Support Enforcement informed of the name and address of the obligor's employer and whether the obligor has access to health insurance.  Cases which require payment to the Washington State Support Registry must comply with these federal regulations.

Second, before a court or administrative authority finds that good cause exists not to require immediate wage withholding, the court or administrative authority must enter written findings why immediate wage withholding is not in the child's best interests.  Further, in cases of modification of support, "good cause" must be based on proof of timely payment of previously ordered support.

Summary of Bill:  Child support order statutes are amended to comply with recent federal regulations.

In cases requiring payment to the Washington State Support Registry, orders must notify the obligor parent of the parent's responsibility to keep the state registry informed of the name and address of the obligor's employer and whether the obligor has access to health insurance at a reasonable cost, and, if so, the policy information.

If a court or administrative authority finds that good cause exists not to require immediate wage withholding, the court or administrative authority must enter written findings why immediate wage withholding is not in the child's best interests.  Further, in cases of modification of support, "good cause" must be based on proof of timely payment of previously ordered support.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill is necessary to comply with federal regulations.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Bruce Clausen, Assistant Attorney General (pro); and Mike Riccio, Office of Support Enforcement (pro).