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Drivers' Licenses
May Be Hostage
To Child Support
By JENNY SWIGER
Capital News Service
RICHMOND — State lawmakers are considering a measure designed to crack down on parents delinquent on their child-support payments as well as one that would limit parents' requests to change the amount of child-support payments.
A House of Delegates’ panel is also reviewing legislation to prevent non-custodial parents who owe child support from renewing their drivers' licenses.
In addition, the Department of Social Services asked the House Courts of Justice Committee to prepare legislation allowing the department to access records for locating parents owing child support.
"This is related to our biggest task, which is locating punitive fathers," said Elizabeth E. Riopelle, planning and policy director for social services.
Her department wants access to professional and occupational licenses, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, death certificates and records of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The proposed legislation would provide thfc DMV with a list of people delinquent in their financial obligations. In turn, the agency would legally refuse to renew their licenses.
Del. Kenneth R. Melvin, D-Portsmouth, said he thought there should be a balancing act between a person's right to privacy and the social services' right to be able to find the parents and collect the money owed.
"The child support overrides the right to privacy," he said, "because it could hurt the children."
Social services also asked the justice committee to establish criteria to determine when the department must review child-support orders and when modification becomes appropriate. Current practice permits a case review at a parent's request.
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