Child support: Child Support Evader Law.
The bill mandates significant changes to how child support obligations are monitored and enforced at the state level. Through the implementation of the website, it is expected that public scrutiny will encourage obligors to settle their debts to avoid being publicly named and shamed. Furthermore, there are specific protections in place, ensuring that the obligor can only be listed under clearly defined criteria and after certain notification processes have been followed. These include providing a 60-day notice to the obligor before their information is posted, allowing them an opportunity to comply with their obligations first.
Assembly Bill 1498, known as the Child Support Evader Law, aims to address the issue of delinquent child support payments in the state of California. It requires the Department of Child Support Services to establish a publicly accessible website containing information on individuals who are significantly behind on their court-ordered child support obligations. Under this bill, obligors—defined as individuals who are delinquent in paying child support—will be listed if they owe more than $5,000 and have not made any payment in over six months. The site will include names, photographs, residence ZIP Codes, amounts owed, and the number of children for whom the obligor owes payments.
Responses to AB 1498 have been mixed. Advocates argue that the public disclosure aspect serves as an effective deterrent against delinquency, emphasizing accountability and ensuring that custodial parents receive the support they are entitled to. Opponents, however, express concerns about the potential stigma and privacy violations that could arise from publishing personal information online. The sentiment reflects a broader societal debate on balancing enforcement of support obligations with the rights of individuals.
Key points of contention around AB 1498 include privacy concerns regarding the public dissemination of obligors’ personal information and the effectiveness of such a measure in actually improving compliance with child support payments. Critics argue that labeling individuals publicly can lead to social ostracization and could impact their employment prospects, while proponents suggest that the potential for public shame could incentivize compliance. This legislation fundamentally alters the approach to child support enforcement within California by centralizing data access and amplifying public awareness.