Bill > HB551

This bill modifies existing New Mexico law regarding liens on gaming machine winnings for debt owed to or collected by the Health Care Authority (HCA), specifically updating procedures for child support debt collection. The bill changes references from the "Human Services Department" to the "Health Care Authority" and establishes new requirements for placing liens on gambling winnings. Under the revised law, a lien can now attach to gaming payouts of at least $1,200 (or a threshold amount set by federal law) when the winner owes child support debt. The HCA must provide the gaming board with a secure, verified list of names and social security numbers of obligors, and gaming licensees must make a good-faith effort to check winner names against this list before paying out winnings. If a winner is identified as owing debt, the licensee must retain the payout, notify the HCA, and follow a specific administrative process that allows the obligor to contest the debt. The bill also includes provisions for the gaming board to establish rules for lien attachment and enforcement, and provides protection for gaming operators who attempt to match winners in good faith. These changes aim to streamline the process of collecting child support debt through gaming winnings while providing some procedural protections for winners.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=551&year=25