The Idaho Legislature will convene in special session on Monday, May 18, to consider RS23967, a bill that adopts uniform language to align Idaho with all other states and approved foreign countries for the collection of child support.

The resolution will be introduced for a print hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee at about 9 a.m. in room C310 of the Idaho Capitol. If the committee votes to print the bill, Department of Health and Welfare Director Richard Armstrong will provide a formal presentation explaining the legislation at about 9:30 a.m.  in a joint meeting of the Senate Judiciary and Rules  Committee and the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee.  Continue reading “Here’s the schedule for Monday’s special session of the Idaho Legislature” →

Idaho’s special legislative session to address child support is Monday.  For all of us, it is critical that we uphold the values that make Idaho great. At the top of that list is personal responsibility.

Plain and simple, personal responsibility is what the Idaho Legislature will address next week — parents should be personally responsible and held accountable for the safety, well-being and health of their children.  Continue reading “DHW Director: Child support bill is about personal responsibility and accountability” →

In a week, the Idaho Legislature will meet in special session to consider a new bill about the enforcement of child support orders in Idaho and throughout the world. The new bill is 37 pages long, but we’ve developed this analysis so you can quickly see what’s new or changed.  Continue reading “See what’s new or different in the draft child support legislation” →

The Governor’s Office has released the legislation the Idaho Legislature will consider during its special session on Monday, May 18. If it is approved, it will bring the Idaho’s Child Support Program into federal compliance and avoid the loss of access to enforcement tools and funds.

“This has been a collaborative effort, and I am pleased we have a bill we can pass efficiently so our Child Support Program can continue to help Idaho families get the financial resources they’re entitled to,” said Department of Health and Welfare Director Richard Armstrong.  Continue reading “Governor’s Office releases draft child support enforcement bill” →

Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter issued a proclamation today to convene a special session of the Idaho Legislature on Monday, May 18, to consider a bill that will bring Idaho’s Child Support Program into national compliance.

“It is a great relief to us that Gov. Otter is initiating this opportunity for lawmakers to reconsider legislation that is good for our children and good for our state,” Department of Health and Welfare Director Richard Armstrong said. “We know the extreme hardships that could occur if we don’t fix this. We have great confidence in our legislators that they will resolve this for the sake of our children.”  Continue reading “Gov. Otter convenes special legislative session for child support bill” →

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter will conduct a news conference about Idaho’s child support system at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in his Ceremonial Office on the second floor of the Capitol. It will be streamed via Idaho Public Television at http://idahoptv.org/insession/gov.cfm.

If the state Idaho’s Child Support Program doesn’t meet federal requirements by June 12, the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding of $30.4 million is threatened.

A list of programs that receive all or part of their funding from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is below. The budgets for these programs are a mix of state and federal funds. The percentages vary for each program, so it’s impossible to say at this point what the impact might be if Idaho stops receiving TANF funds. But we do know that each of these programs would be affected. We’re seeking more information and clarification from federal officials. Continue reading “Here’s what would be affected if Idaho loses its TANF funds” →