Connecticut House Bill HB06562

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/3/21
• Refer: 3/3/21

Caption

An Act Concerning Child Support Enforcement.

Impact

The bill proposes to amend existing statutes to enable the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to appoint special policemen in the Office of Child Support Services from within the Department of Social Services. This amendment is intended to empower appointed individuals with police-like authority to serve warrants related to child support matters. Such changes could significantly strengthen the state’s ability to enforce compliance with child support obligations, thereby benefiting custodial parents and children who rely on these payments.

Summary

House Bill 06562, titled 'An Act Concerning Child Support Enforcement,' aims to enhance the effectiveness of child support enforcement in the state. It introduces provisions for improving coordination and resources available for child support services, alongside the establishment of a task force dedicated to studying technological advancements that can aid in maximizing the collection of child support payments due to state residents. The bill recognizes the ongoing challenges in enforcing child support orders and seeks systematic improvements.

Contention

While the bill is designed to address the issues in child support enforcement, concerns have been raised regarding the implications of increasing enforcement powers. Stakeholders may worry about the potential for overreach or misuse of the new authority granted to the appointed special policemen. Additionally, the effectiveness of the proposed technological enhancements and the specific role of the task force in implementing these improvements may be points of contention during legislative discussions.