CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 154(HES) "An Act relating to paternity determination and child support; relating to reporting of and access to financial or other information for child support purposes; making changes to laws relating to occupational, recreational, or other licenses, permits, certificates, or other authorizations issued by the state to facilitate administration of child support laws; relating to the interest rate on judgments or decrees for child support; relating to immunity from civil liability for good faith compliance with reporting or other requirements for child support purposes; relating to voiding fraudulent transfers and to penalties for noncompliance with orders for child support purposes; amending Rules 4, 5, 35, 52, 58, 60(b), 78, 90.1, and 90.3, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; amending Rule 901, Alaska Rules of Evidence; amending Rules 3 and 5, Alaska Bar Association Rules; repealing the effective date of sec. 45, ch. 107, SLA 1996; and providing for an effective date." Glenda Straube, Child Support Enforcement was invited to join the committee. She explained the HES version of the bill before the committee. It included changes in federal mandates applicable for all states. Jim Nordlund, Division of Public Assistance was invited to join the committee. He said this bill, if passed into law would result in penalties for violators. With reference to the impact on the agency, he said it would be difficult if federal funds were lost due to non-compliance. The Department of Health and Social Services supported the bill. Ms. Straube explained the bill section by section. She specifically referred to new hire reporting and said all employers must report new or re-hires within twenty days. Senator Parnell asked about section 76 on page 29, line 27. Ms. Straube said she did not know who would make the determinations. She noted that crew member fishing licenses were added in to the bill. Social security numbers must be on all documents and shared with all child support agencies. However, the information was only to be used for child support purposes. Senator Phillips asked about the right to privacy with regards to the social security number and would this be a violation of one's constitutional rights. Dan Branch, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Law was invited to join the committee. He said the social security number was protected by federal law. He would look up and provide the necessary information to the committee with regards to use of the social security number. Senator Phillips had noted that one does not have to list their social security number on documents any more. Ms. Straube continued explaining the bill. She said once established, paternity could not be rescinded after sixty days without court process. Punitive fathers could request blood tests and the Division would provide these tests. She further said all agencies must provide employment records as applicable because there could be multiple cases involving the same party. A state agency or a court order could require a participant to be employed. She cited cases where individuals were appropriately employed and now paying child support payments. The State of Alaska also respects liens from other states. The department recognized use of first class mail after all diligent methods had been exhausted to notify the individual regarding child support. There was no statute of limitations on reporting arrears to the credit bureau. Further not mandated but included in the bill was: 1. one rate of interest for the child support debt (see section 12 and 13, judgments and decrees); 2. the child support order would be corrected if based on fraudulent information. Senator Torgerson asked about section 13 (AS 25.27.025). Ms. Straube indicated she would provide requested information after research. Under section 111 she said no could withhold employment if it was known the perspective employee owed child support. It should be clearly known the individual is responsible for the child whether a court order for child support is received or not. There was miscellaneous discussion between Senator Parnell and Ms. Straube regarding enforcement of child support. She did indicate that the department could not override a court order. Further under section 111, (5), everything would automatically conform according to federal mandate. Senator Torgerson asked if passage of this bill was urgent and Ms. Straube indicated that it was. Co-chair Sharp held the bill in committee and advised that he would bring it up again on tomorrow morning's calendar. ADJOURNMENT Co-chair Sharp adjourned the session at 6:32 p.m. until tomorrow morning.