Bill No.: HB0121                  Drafter:  JHR

LSO No.:  07LSO-0182              Effective Date:  7/1/2007

Enrolled Act No.:  HEA128

Chapter No.:       189

Prime Sponsor:     Joint Judiciary Interim Committee

Catch Title:       Child support enforcement fees.

Subject:  Authorizes the Department of Family Services to collect a federally mandated fee for specified child support enforcement services.

Summary/Major Elements:

· The federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 requires every state to pay a fee of $25 annually for every child support enforcement case in which the state collects at least $500 from an obligor, except the requirement shall not apply if the obligee is, or has been, a recipient of public benefits.

· This act:

· Requires the Department of Family Services (DFS) to collect the annual fee required by federal law from an obligee, when the obligee receives over $500 per year in child support as a result of DFS involvement on behalf of the obligee who has not received public benefits;

· Authorizes the court issuing a child support order to assess the annual fee against the obligor, if the fee may be required;

· Provides an appropriation of $300,000 to DFS to implement this act, but requires DFS to obtain the prior approval of the Department's chief information officer for any proposed purchases of computer equipment or software, and the prior approval of the Governor for any other expenditures from this appropriation.

Comment:  Final action on this bill was not taken at the time this summary was initially prepared.  This bill summary has been revised as a result of final action on the bill.  It should replace the summary provided in supplemental packet 1.