GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1528

Short Title:  Study Child Support System.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Nye, Adams, Alexander, Earle, Goodwin, Luebke, and Womble.

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Referred to:  Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

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May 15, 2000

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS TO STUDY CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE CHILD SUPPORT SYSTEM.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The Department of Health and Human Services and the Administrative Office of the Courts, in conjunction with local departments of social services, clerks of court, IV-D attorneys, district court judges, representatives of county government, representatives of business and industry, and representatives of child support clients, shall study ways to more effectively coordinate the efforts of the two agencies in regard to collection and enforcement of child support.  This study shall include studying the feasibility of the two agencies granting each other access to one another's computer systems or the feasibility of making the computer systems compatible with one another.  The study shall also include the development of protocols to facilitate directing individuals to the proper agency for assistance or information.  The Department of Health and Human Services and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall report to the Joint Legislative Public Assistance Commission on efforts under this section by October 1, 2000.
Section 2.  The Department of Health and Human Services and the Administrative Office of the Courts, in conjunction with local departments of social services, clerks of court, IV-D attorneys, district court judges, representatives of county government, representatives of business and industry, and representatives of child support clients, shall study the problems with and barriers to the establishment of a unified system of child support collection and enforcement.  This study shall also include estimates of the costs, including any savings, associated with the establishment of a unified system and any advantages or disadvantages associated with the establishment of a unified system over a five-year period. The two agencies shall make recommendations regarding solutions to any problems or barriers to the establishment of a unified system.   The Department of Health and Human Services and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall make interim reports to the Joint Legislative Public Assistance Commission on efforts under this section by September 1, 2000, and December 1, 2000, and shall make a final report to the Joint Legislative Public Assistance Commission on efforts under this section by March 1, 2001.
Section 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.