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S2534 / A1201 - Supporting The New Jersey Task Force on Child Support Reform

  • 1.  S2534 / A1201 - Supporting The New Jersey Task Force on Child Support Reform

    Posted 09-12-2016 10:41 PM
    Every year for the past many years, a bill has been introduced to form The New Jersey Task Force on Child Support Reform. New Jersey ranks 18th in collections in spite of our being the 2nd or 3rd wealthiest state (depending on source) and having the fourth lower unemployment rate. Other less wealthy states with higher unemployment are being us in collections (Pennsylvania, for instance, is #1).

    Many other states are trying new and innovative approaches to the issue. Colorado and Virginia, for instance, have (in a few counties) re-trained their probation departments to be collaborative with obligors, contacting them very quickly when arrears first are incurred and using punitive enforcement less often and as a last resort. Many of these test counties have seen collection rates double (one count in Colorado saw it triple). California is looking at making systemic changes as a result.

    In New Jersey, we haven't had a significant overhaul of CS enforcement system since 1998.  Our abysmal ranking should be unacceptable to all - kids going without support, "deadbeat" or "deadbroke" parents dodging jail and other consequences and - last but not least - the state's funding is hurt by it. The Federal Government grants incentives to states based on a number of factors, the first of which is collection rate.  A jump of even 2% would result in millions more in funding. The better we do, the better we can do.

    It's time to take another look.  Please, everyone, support the passage of S2534 / A1201. I've started a quick page ( http://dpdlaw.com/cs.htm ) which I'll update     (any volunteers who want to help are welcome) so we can keep track of which assembly and senate members have been contacted and by whom. In the next week, I'm planning to add a quick-link so people can email their representatives. There's already a list for "letters to the editor" so people can drop a quick supportive note to the press.

    Regardless of how one may feel about the various aspects of this issue, it's not debatable that New Jersey's rate stinks. We can and should be on the cutting edge on these issues. Supporting the commission doesn't mean you support any particular aspect of it - it's to get the discussion going in a meaningful way so legislative and other reforms can be recommended.

    Please, folks, take a minute and visit the page and do all you can think of doing to get this bill moving     (Hello to FLEC, NJSBA Legislative Affairs, AAML, Legal Services Legislative Project). This is the year to get it passed! Let's do this thing!
    http://dpdlaw.com/cs.htm

    Thoughts? Comments? Ideas? Either as to the Task Force itself or how to best move it along into becoming law?

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    David Perry Davis, Esq.
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       www.FamilyLawNJ.pro
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    112 West Franklin Avenue
    Pennington, NJ 08534
    Voice: 609-737-2222
    Fax:    609-737-3222