In Support of State Flexibility for the Use of State-Earned Child Support Incentive Dollars
Resolution 6: In Support of State Flexibility for the Use of State-Earned Child Support Incentive Dollars
WHEREAS, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-171) eliminated the ability of states to use federal child support enforcement performance incentive funds as state match to draw down federal financial participation dollars; and
WHEREAS, many states have re-invested their federal incentive funds in their child support enforcement programs as a means to expand their services to reach more families; and
WHEREAS, this action was taken by Congress as a cost-cutting measure, but the impact on child support enforcement programs and services was not fully understood at that time; and
WHEREAS, the Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the elimination of this incentive match practice will reduce families' child support income by $8.4 billion over the next 10 years; and
WHEREAS, if state and local governments are unable to replace the lost federal funding on a long-term basis, child support services will be reduced; and
WHEREAS, state courts will be hindered in their ability to establish and enforce child support obligations; and
WHEREAS, as a result, some families may not be able to access needed services; and
WHEREAS, Congress is considering the Child Support Protection Act of 2007 (HR 1386 and S 803), which would repeal the provision in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 that ends the ability of states to use performance incentives as match for federal funds;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators encourage Congress to enact the Child Support Protection Act of 2007 or similar legislation that would restore flexibility to states and allow the states to provide much-needed child support enforcement services.
Adopted as proposed by the CCJ/COSCA Courts, Children and Families Committee on August 1, 2007.