HOUSE BILL NO. 344 "An Act relating to paternity establishment and child support; relating to the crimes of criminal nonsupport and aiding the nonpayment of child support; and amending Rule 37(b)(2)(D), Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an effective date." BARBARA MIKLOS, CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES reviewed the proposed committee substitute, work draft # 0-GH2007\F, 5/4/98. She observed that 4 sections were removed after the Division learned that the federal government did not require them. She referred to a memorandum by Terri Lauterbach, Legislative Council, dated 5/4/98 (copy on file). She agreed with Ms. Lauterbach's interpretation. Section 5 was removed. This section made aiding the nonpayment of child support punishable by the loss of hunting and sport fishing licenses. Section 11 was removed. Sections pertaining to court rule changes were also removed. She stressed that the legislation fulfills federal requirements without doing more then is required by the federal government. Co-Chair Therriault observed that section 37 would delete the sunset. He spoke in support of retaining the sunset. Ms. Mikolos explained that section 36 accompanies section 2. Representative Martin questioned if the biological parents are pursued once a child is placed in a foster home. Ms. Mikolos clarified that both biological parents are pursued, either jointly or individually, based on income. Ms. Mikolos observed that if the sunset provision is retained the Division would be before the Legislature in 1999. In response to a question by Representative Martin, Ms. Mikolos noted that the Division has three investigators. She noted that other employees assist on some investigations. Investigators only do the most serious cases. There is one halftime district attorney assisting the Division. JENNIFER TAYLOR, FAIRBANKS expressed concern with the use of social security numbers. Co-Chair Therriault noted that social security information would be available to the Department, but not to the general public. She emphasized the need to provide for the survival of children born to single poor mothers. She stressed that statutes should be written for general comprehension. She maintained that culpability should be the same regardless of income. She spoke in support of state statutes that are serious enough to provide absolute enforcement. (Tape Change, HFC 98 - 154, Side 2) In response to a question by Co-Chair Therriault, Ms. Mikolos explained that language contained in the previous version was found to be over reaching. The Division consulted with the federal government and they agreed. She added that section 24 might still be too broad. DAN BRANCH, HUMAN SERVICES SECTION, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF LAW suggested that "has a" and "obligated" be deleted and replaced with "owes overdue." He explained that this change would provide that the only persons that could have their fish and game licenses affected by failure to comply with a child support subpoena or warrant are those that owe overdue child support. Co-Chair Therriault MOVED to delete "has a" and "obligated" and insert "owes overdue." There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Co-Chair Therriault MOVED to delete section 37. He explained that this would retain the sunset review. Representative Davies suggested that the sunset date be extend to the year 2001. Ms. Mikolos spoke in support of a 2001-year sunset review. Co-Chair Therriault WITHDREW the MOTION to delete section 37. Representative Davies MOVED to amend section 37 to provide a sunset date of 2001. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Representative Davies questioned what provisions would be taken to keep social security numbers confidential. Ms. Mikolos noted that there is a federal felony penalty for failure to maintain confidentiality. She noted that they have an agreement with the Department of Fish and Game to black out social security numbers on licenses. Representative Davies MOVED to ADOPT work draft # 0- GH2007\F, 5/4/98. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Representative Davies MOVED to report CSHB 344 (FIN) out of Committee with the accompanying fiscal notes. Representative Kohring OBJECTED. He expressed concern that too much control is being given to the Child Support Enforcement Division. He also expressed concern with the inclusion of social security numbers and federal mandates. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Davies, Grussendorf, Moses, Davis, Foster, Kelly, Martin, Therriault OPPOSED: Kohring Co-Chair Hanley and Representative Mulder were absent for the vote. The MOTION PASSED (8-1). CSHB 344 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with "no recommendation" and with five zero fiscal notes, three by the Department of Administration, one by the Department of Revenue, one by the Department of Community and Regional Affairs; and one fiscal impact note by the Department of Administration.