CONSOLIDATION OF CHILD SUPPORT FUNCTIONS

House Bill 5466

Sponsor:  Rep. Robert L. Kosowski

House Bill 5467

Sponsor:  Rep. Thomas B. Hooker

House Bill 5468

Sponsor:  Rep. Roger Victory

House Bill 5469

Sponsor:  Rep. Kenneth Kurtz

House Bill 5470

Sponsor:  Rep. Klint Kesto

House Bill 5471

Sponsor:  Rep. Rick Outman

Committee:  Families, Children, and Seniors

Complete to 4-29-14

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 5466-5471 AS INTRODUCED 4-23-14

Each of the bills in this package of bills would put the same language into a different act; each act deals with child support.  The provision being added would allow the prosecuting attorney and the Department of Human Services to enter into an agreement to transfer the prosecutor’s responsibilities under the act to one of the following:

·                    The Friend of the Court, with approval of the Chief Circuit Judge;

·                    An attorney employed or contracted by the county under Section 1 of the County Civil Counsel Act (MCL 49.71);

·                    An attorney employed by or under contract with the Department of Human Services.

Each bill also adds a provision to specify that the proceedings where these responsibilities are exercised are "conducted on behalf of the state and not as the attorney for another party."

House Bill 5466 would amend the Paternity Act (MCL 722.174);

House Bill 5467 would amend the Revocation of Paternity Act (MCL 722.1437)

House Bill 5468 would amend the Family Support Act (MCL 552.454).

House Bill 5469 would amend the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (MCL 552.1308 et al.).

House Bill 5470 would amend Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act (MCL 780.160a et al.).

House Bill 5471 would amend Public Act 293 of 1968, referred to popularly as the Emancipation of Minors Act (MCL 722.3).

The bills would take effect 90 days after being enacted into law

FISCAL IMPACT:

Since these bills only permit, and do not mandate, agreements to transfer the prosecutor’s responsibilities to one of the three entities listed above, the fiscal impact on the state and local units of government is indeterminate. Although it is possible that these bills could marginally increase DHS personnel costs if any agreements transfer the prosecutor’s responsibilities to "an attorney employed by or under contract with the Department of Human Services."

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   E. Best

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Kevin Koorstra

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.