Poliquin, Ellison Introduce the Child Support Assistance Act

Press Release

Today, Representatives Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) introduced H.R. 2091, the Child Support Assistance Act of 2015, in order to help state and local support enforcement agencies aid families in collecting child support payments.

To locate a delinquent parent and enforce an appropriate level for child support payment, enforcement agencies verify employment through consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) in order to obtain a consumer/credit rating. However, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FRCA), CRAs may not release consumer report information to a third party, such as an enforcement agency, unless they have legal bases for obtaining the report. The consumer reporting agency must also provide the delinquent parent with prior notice which can give that delinquent parent ample time to manipulate their financial situation to avoid an appropriate level of child support. The notice requirement is also an unnecessary cost and burden for state agencies.

The Child Support Assistance Act will fix these issues by amending the FCRA to permit enforcement agencies to obtain consumer reports on delinquent parents in order to enforce child support payments without giving a delinquent parent an opportunity to avoid child support payments. This bill will also expressly allow the enforcement agency to set an appropriate amount for child support payments and adjust the level as needed.

"Being a parent is one of the greatest and most important responsibilities as an adult," said Rep. Bruce Poliquin. "It's imperative for Congress, Republicans and Democrats, to work together and ensure that our kids have all the possible opportunities to succeed and have a bright future. The Child Support Assistance Act will help our state and local authorities in assisting families to collect child support payments from delinquent parents."

"Thousands of low-income kids and their families rely on child support to pay for clothes, school supplies, and trips to the doctor." Rep. Ellison said. "This bill would make it less expensive for states to collect delinquent child support payments and make it easier for credit reporting agencies to help them do it. We need to make sure the money from child support is actually supporting the parents and the children who depend on it."

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