SB 1272 - This act establishes the Child Support Insurance Act within the Department of Social Services. The Child Support Insurance program allows custodial parents to receive child support insurance payments for a qualified child in certain circumstances. Certain participation requirements must be satisfied.

The child support insurance payment shall be $100 for the first qualified child and $50 for each additional qualified child. The maximum payment amount per month shall not exceed $200. 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.

For noncustodial parents who are in arrears on their child support obligations, the state may choose to do any of the following:

-Noncustodial parents who are more than two months behind in payments must be referred to the Parent's Fair Share Program.

-Noncustodial parents who are not making reasonable progress in their payments may be subject to penalties.

-Noncustodial parents who have been in the Parent's Fair Share Program for five years and who are not making at least the current child support payment are presumed to have failed the program and will be charged with penalties.

This act is similar to SB 696 (2003).
LORIE TOWE