SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5390

                    As of January 27, 1995

Title:  An act relating to interest on past due child support.

Brief Description:  Requiring the office of child support enforcement to assess and collect interest on past due child support.

Sponsors:  Senators Fairley, Long, Pelz, Kohl and Quigley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  1/31/95.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Susan Carlson (786-7418)

Background:  The Office of Support Enforcement is authorized to assess and collect interest on unpaid child support that has accrued under any support order entered into the Washington State support registry.  The Office of Support Enforcement generally does not collect interest unless the amount has been reduced to a fixed amount by court order.

It has been suggested that the assessment and collection of interest would encourage more timely payments of child support, and that support enforcement should be required to collect interest.

Summary of Bill:  The Office of Support Enforcement is required to assess and collect interest on unpaid child support under any support order entered into the registry.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 24, 1995.

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