Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 24, 2014 11:59 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Ronald G. Waters |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Deduction From Bail Money for Payment of Outstanding Child Support |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to require the deduction from amounts otherwise returnable to a defendant to be used to pay outstanding child support. Too often criminal defendants post significant amounts of cash bail to gain release from prison pending their trial while at the same time they owe large amounts of outstanding child support. My bill will not excuse a parent of their financial responsibilities to their children because they decided to break the law. Child support payments are critical to families who are struggling to make ends meet. Child poverty has been shown to dramatically affect a child’s capacity to learn and increases the risk of social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Moreover, a child who is not being supported by a parent will become the responsibility of the taxpayer. A criminal defendant who is financially able to post cash bail to gain their freedom should be required to financially support his or her children. Please support me in co-sponsoring this legislation that protects children and keeps parents accountable for their actions. If you have any questions, please contact Tim Scott in my Harrisburg office at 717-783-4090 or tscott@pahouse.net. |