HLS 16RS-1062 REENGROSSED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 486
BY REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT JOHNSON
CHILDREN/SUPPORT: Provides for administrative hearings for property or assets frozen
by the Department of Children and Family Services
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 46:236.15(D)(1)(introductory paragraph) and (a), relative to
3 child support enforcement; to provide relative to authority for seizures and intercepts
4 by the Department of Children and Family Services; to provide for an administrative
5 hearing process; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 46:236.15(D)(1)(introductory paragraph) and (a) are hereby amended
8and reenacted to read as follows:
9 ยง236.15. Limited administrative authority for certain paternity and child support
10 actions
11 * * *
12 D. Authority to seize and intercept.
13 (1) In cases in which there is a child support arrearage or child support
14 overpayment made to a custodial parent party, and after notice of such arrearage or
15 overpayment has been made by certified or regular mail, personal service, or
16 domiciliary service, the agency shall have the administrative authority to:
17 (a) Intercept, encumber, freeze, or seize periodic or lump sum payments
18 from a state or local agency or any entity licensed or permitted by any state agency
19 or board under Chapters 1, 4, 5, or 7 of Title 27 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of
20 1950, including but not limited to unemployment compensation benefits, workers'
21 compensation, and other benefits, judgments, settlements, lottery winnings,
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 16RS-1062 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 486
1 progressive slot machine annuities beginning with the second annuity payment, cash
2 gaming winnings, assets held in financial institutions, and public and private
3 retirement funds. However, child support overpayments are excluded from recovery
4 from unemployment compensation benefits. The provisions of R.S. 13:3881
5 providing general exemptions from seizure are applicable to the provisions of this
6 Subparagraph. After the agency encumbers, intercepts, or freezes any assets set out
7 in this Subsection, it shall notify the payor or custodial party that he has thirty days
8 to advise the agency that he wishes to appeal the seizing of said the assets. Upon
9 receipt of such notice, the agency shall either release the property or schedule a
10 hearing with the appropriate court in accordance with the Administrative Procedure
11 Act. Such hearing may be conducted telephonically or by means of any other such
12 electronic media. The sole issue at the administrative hearing shall be whether the
13 payor is in compliance with an order of support or whether the custodial party owes
14 an overpayment of support. If the payor or custodial party fails to file an appeal
15 within thirty days, the agency may institute proceedings through administrative
16 process to seize or sell the property in accordance with state law.
17 * * *
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)]
HB 486 Reengrossed 2016 Regular Session Robert Johnson
Abstract: Allows an appeal of the seizure of assets with regard to child support orders to be
conducted through an administrative hearing.
Present law allows the Dept. of Children and Family Services, when there is a child support
arrearage or an overpayment has been made to a custodial parent, to intercept, encumber,
freeze, or seize specified payments or assets. Present law further provides that when DCFS
exercises this right, it must notify the payor or custodial parent of its actions, and afford the
payor or custodial parent an opportunity to appeal the seizing of the assets.
Proposed law requires the appeal to be conducted through an administrative hearing which
may be held telephonically or by means of any other such electronic media, and provides
that the sole issue at the hearing will be whether the payor is in compliance with the order
of support or whether the custodial party owes an overpayment of support.
(Amends R.S. 46:236.15(D)(1)(intro. para.) and (a))
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 16RS-1062 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 486
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes so proposed law terminology is consistent with present
law.
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.