Relating To Child Support.
The amendments presented in HB 734 will have a significant impact on the way child support moneys are handled within the context of public assistance programs. By allowing these child support payments to be disregarded, the bill intends to alleviate financial burdens on families dependent on public funds, promoting a more stable economic environment for children receiving essential support. This approach takes into account the necessity of helping families achieve a self-sufficient status without the fear of reducing their assistance due to child support payments.
House Bill 734 aims to amend various provisions relating to child support under the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The bill stipulates that the Department of Human Services will pass through certain amounts of child support collected from noncustodial parents to families receiving public assistance, ensuring that up to the first $100 (or $200 for families with more than one child) of child support collected will benefit the receiving families directly. Furthermore, this bill proposes that the Department disregard these payments when calculating eligibility for public assistance, thus not penalizing families receiving this support for their income level.
Notably, the bill also includes provisions that strengthen employer obligations related to child support. Under the new requirements, employers will face heavier fines for failing to comply with child support withholding orders—potentially up to $1,000. This increase reflects the legislature's intention to emphasize the significance of employers' roles in ensuring that child support payments are conveniently collected and transmitted. However, this may raise concerns among employers regarding their responsibilities, especially smaller businesses which might struggle with compliance costs.
The bill does not alter the fundamental rights and obligations established prior to its enactment, maintaining a consistent legal framework for child support matters. Despite the favorability towards assisting families, it also places additional responsibilities on employers, which could be seen as an overreach by those concerned with government regulations on business practices. Thus, while the main aim of HB 734 is to assist financially vulnerable families, the implications for employers may lead to discussions about balance in regulatory measures.