Tulsa Standard

Rep. Kevin Hern from Oklahoma has introduced a new bill aimed at enhancing child support enforcement for both states and tribes. The legislation, known as the Strengthening State and Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act, seeks to address potential changes in Internal Revenue Service (IRS) enforcement actions that could impede the ability of state child support agencies to utilize contractors for the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program. This program currently serves nearly 13 million families and 18 percent of all children in the United States.

In explaining the importance of the bill, Rep. Hern emphasized, “Tribal families in Oklahoma and around the nation deserve the same assistance to recover unpaid child support payments as provided by non-tribal agencies.” He further expressed his commitment to strengthening families and ensuring a supportive environment for children to thrive.

Chairman Jason Smith also voiced his support for the legislation, highlighting the significance of the Child Support Enforcement program and the need to prevent potential disruptions caused by recent IRS policy changes. He stated, “The Strengthening State and Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act will harmonize our federal laws so states can continue carrying out necessary enforcement and allow tribal child support programs to enjoy access to the same enforcement tools as their state counterparts.”

The conflict between the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code has led to challenges in implementing the CSE program, with the upcoming changes by the IRS posing a threat to the program's effectiveness. Rep. Hern's bill aims to grant tribal child support programs access to essential tax information and ensure their ability to administer child support programs effectively.

The Child Support Enforcement program plays a crucial role in supporting millions of families nationwide, with a focus on establishing parentage and obtaining child support for custodial parents. In 2022 alone, the program collected over $27 billion in payments from non-custodial parents, demonstrating its impact and efficiency in supporting families in need.

The introduction of the Strengthening State and Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act represents a step towards ensuring equitable access to enforcement tools for both states and tribes, ultimately working towards a more effective and inclusive child support system for all families in the United States.