Bill > A4629

Introduced Session

In 2004 and again in 2014 the New Jersey Department of Human Services sponsored amnesty periods for delinquent child support obligors, creating an opportunity for obligors to make new agreements to pay arrearages and avoid significant consequences from failure to make timely payments, such as arrest on outstanding warrants and license suspension. It is the sponsor's view that this opportunity should be a regular feature of the child support program in New Jersey, permitting a regular opportunity for obligors to address delinquencies while avoiding consequences that impact the ability to earn and pay child support. This bill directs the Department of Human Services Services, the State IV-D agency responsible for the overall supervision of the child support program in New Jersey, in consultation with the Probation Division, to establish in each county an annual child support amnesty period, not to exceed 60 consecutive days in duration. During the amnesty period, any delinquent obligor may pay arrearages or, if unable to make full payment, reach a payment plan regarding back pay and future payments, or for the forgiveness of State-owed debt. In any event, they would not face potential arrest, and may be able to negotiate the removal of other consequences such as license suspensions or arrest warrants.

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Shavonda Sumter (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Human Services Committee (on 10/22/2018)