FINAL BILL REPORT

                            SB 5791

                          C 207 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Changing child support provisions.

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

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

BACKGROUND:

In order to receive federal funding for child support programs, the state must comply with federal program requirements.  In 1992, two amendments were made to federal regulations:  (1) support orders must include a provision requiring obligor parents to keep the state Office of Support Enforcement informed of their current employer and whether they have access to health insurance; and (2) specific written findings must be entered if immediate wage withholding is not ordered. 

SUMMARY:

In child support cases that require payments be made to the Washington State Support Registry, the support order must state that the responsible party is required to notify the registry of the name and address of his or her current employer, whether he or she has access to health insurance coverage at reasonable cost, and if so, the health insurance policy information.

If a court finds good cause not to require immediate income withholding, there must be a written determination of why this would not be in the child's best interests.  In modification of support cases, there must also be proof of timely payment of previously ordered child support.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    48   0

House     96   0

EFFECTIVE:July 25, 1993