DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Burrell HB No. 1240
Abstract: Requires the Dept. of Children and Family Services to use a portion of certain monies
collected pursuant to family support enforcement programs to fund fatherhood initiatives.
Present law authorizes the Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to collect application
and other fees from each individual who is receiving child support enforcement services from
DCFS or any individual who owes a duty of support. Present law requires the fees to comply
with any applicable federal laws, rules, and regulations and prohibits the fees from exceeding the
maximum set by federal laws, rules, and regulations or the actual costs incurred by DCFS in
providing the support services, whichever is less.
Proposed law retains present law and requires DCFS to dedicate 15% of the application and other
fees collected to the administration of family support programs designed to assist fathers who
have custody of their children with the responsibilities of fatherhood or to encourage
noncustodial fathers to have more participation in their children's lives. Nothing in proposed law
shall be construed to limit DCFS from using monies from other sources authorized by law to
fund such fatherhood initiatives.
Present law provides that a court may enter into a cooperative agreement with DCFS to collect
court-ordered child support payments and administrative costs collected and distributed by the
court. Present law authorizes DCFS to retain an amount equal to the actual costs incurred in
collecting and distributing the child support, including administrative costs; however, such
amount shall not exceed 1% of the total amount collected for the court.
Proposed law retains present law and requires DCFS to dedicate 15% of the amount retained to
the administration of family support programs designed to assist fathers who have custody of
their children with the responsibilities of fatherhood or to encourage noncustodial fathers to have
more participation in their children's lives. Nothing in proposed law shall be construed to limit
DCFS from using monies from other sources authorized by law to fund such fatherhood
initiatives.
(Amends R.S. 46:236.1.2(I) and 236.11(B)(2))