SENATE BILL REPORT

 

                           SHB 2172

 

                    AS OF FEBRUARY 22, 1994

 

 

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to the employer reporting program of the office of support enforcement.

 

SPONSORS: House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Ogden, Dunshee, Silver, Valle, Karahalios and Johanson; by request of Legislative Budget Committee)

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

 

Staff:  Susan Carlson (786‑7418)

 

Hearing Dates: February 23, 1994

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

The Employer Reporting Program requires employers in designated industries to report information on new hires to the Office of Support Enforcement (OSE).  This information is used by OSE to collect child support.  If information is received regarding an employee from whom the department is not collecting support, the department is required to destroy it.

 

In 1992, the Legislative Budget Committee prepared a report regarding the Employer Reporting Program.  The report included a recommendation that the Office of Financial Management examine the costs and benefits of sharing employer reporting data with other state agencies.  It has been suggested that the statute be amended to allow OSE to disclose information received from employers to other state agencies.

 

SUMMARY:

 

Upon written request by a state agency, the Department of Social and Health Services shall make available employer reporting information.  The use of this information by the requesting agency is limited to:  (1) comparison with records of the requesting agency to detect improper or fraudulent claims; (2) determining employer compliance with registration and licensing requirements.  After comparison, if no such situation is found or suspected, the requesting agency must destroy the information.  The requesting agency must maintain the confidentiality of the information except as necessary to implement the agencies' regulatory or enforcement responsibilities.

 

Appropriation:  none

 

Revenue:  none

 

Fiscal Note:  available