Connecticut House Bill HB05271

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/13
• Refer: 1/14/13

Caption

An Act Concerning The Service Of Capias Mittimus Orders In Child Support Cases.

Impact

The proposed changes in HB 05271 have significant implications for the enforcement of child support laws within the state. Permitting law enforcement officers to serve capias mittimus orders will likely streamline the process of executing these orders and help improve the collection of overdue payments. Proponents of the bill believe this will not only increase compliance among non-paying parents but also reduce the burden on the judicial system by alleviating the congestion caused by pending child support cases.

Summary

House Bill 05271 aims to amend the general statutes to allow state police officers and municipal police officers the authority to serve capias mittimus orders specifically in child support cases. Traditionally, the enforcement of such orders was limited to certain officials, which may have impeded the ability to collect past due child support effectively. By widening the pool of officers authorized to serve these orders, the bill seeks to enhance the enforcement mechanisms available to the state in dealing with delinquent child support cases.

Contention

While the bill is rooted in the intention to strengthen child support enforcement, it may face some contention regarding the role of law enforcement in civil matters. Critics could argue that involving police officers in the service of capias mittimus orders in child support cases might blur the lines between civil and criminal enforcement. This concern revolves around the potential for heightened tensions in interactions between law enforcement and individuals facing child support issues and raises questions about the appropriate role of police in matters that might be seen as civil or administrative.