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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 19, 2017 11:03 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Todd Stephens |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Encouraging Child Support Payments |
I am reintroducing legislation to encourage parents to pay child support (prior HB 1975). Unfortunately, due to a deficiency in Pennsylvania law, it makes more sense for people to pay their credit card bills than to pay their child support. I will be introducing legislation to correct this. While 28 states charge interest on child support arrears, Pennsylvania does not. My bill will add interest to delinquent child support at either the prime interest rate or 6% per year, whichever is higher. Because most other financial obligations carry interest penalties, those failing to fulfill their child support obligations are incentivized to pay their other bills before paying their child support. This is wrong. This legislation will encourage people to make meeting their financial obligations to their children their top priority, as it should be. According to NCSL, as of October 2015 the following states charged interest on child support arrears: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation. Prior co-sponsors: STEPHENS, TAYLOR, SACCONE, TOOHIL, MILLARD, STAATS, THOMAS, MURT, D. COSTA, ROZZI, SCHLOSSBERG, ENGLISH, O'NEILL, NEILSON, WATSON, FARRY, YOUNGBLOOD, SAYLOR, MAHONEY and MOUL |