SB 696 - This act establishes the Child Support Responsibility Act within the Department of Social Services. The Child Support Responsibility Program allows custodial parents to receive child support responsibility payments for a qualified child in certain circumstances. Certain participation requirements must be satisfied (Section 454.580).

The child support responsibility payment shall be $140 for the first qualified child and $60 for each additional qualified child. The maximum payment amount per month shall not exceed $200 (Section 454.583).

Funding for the program will be provided through noncustodial child support payments and appropriations. Appropriations from general revenue may be counted toward the state's maintenance of effort for the federal temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program.

Any noncustodial parent who is more than two months behind in payments must be referred to the Parent's Fair Share Program or be subject to penalties. A noncustodial parent who has been in the Parent's Fair Share Program for five years and who is not making at least the current child support payment is presumed to have failed the program and will be charged with penalties.

This act is similar to SB 1224 (2002).
LORIE TOWE