Child Support Works Act of 2020
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (10 Dec 2020): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
What this bill does
The Child Support Works Act of 2020 would amend the child support enforcement provisions of the Social Security Act to let states establish mandatory work activity programs for certain noncustodial parents. States that opt in could receive federal matching funds—capped at 2 percent of their total child support enforcement spending in a given quarter—for the costs of operating these programs. States could also require noncustodial parents in child support enforcement cases to participate in work activities modeled on existing TANF or SNAP work requirements. The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study the effects of these programs on outcomes such as child support payments, employment, and earnings, using random assignment or similarly rigorous research methods where possible.
The bill primarily affects state child support enforcement agencies, which would gain a new funding option and program design tool, and noncustodial parents with child support orders who are unemployed, underemployed, or behind on payments, who could be required to participate in work programs as a condition tied to their support obligations. Custodial parents and children relying on child support could be indirectly affected if the programs succeed in increasing noncustodial parents' employment and payment compliance.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on December 10, 2020, by Senator Tom Cotton and referred to the Committee on Finance. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress, so it did not become law; any similar provisions would need to be reintroduced in a later Congress to be considered further.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Child Support Works Act of 2020 This bill provides reimbursements to states that choose to implement mandatory work activity programs for noncustodial parents who have been ordered to participate in such activities under a state child support order.
Timeline
10 Dec 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Common questions
- What does S. 4998 do?
- The Child Support Works Act of 2020 would amend the child support enforcement provisions of the Social Security Act to let states establish mandatory work activity programs for certain noncustodial parents. States that opt in could receive federal matching funds—capped at 2 percent of their total child support enforcement spending in a given quarter—for the costs of operating these programs. States could also require noncustodial parents in child support enforcement cases to participate in work activities modeled on existing TANF or SNAP work requirements. The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study the effects of these programs on outcomes such as child support payments, employment, and earnings, using random assignment or similarly rigorous research methods where possible. The bill primarily affects state child support enforcement agencies, which would gain a new funding option and program design tool, and noncustodial parents with child support orders who are unemployed, underemployed, or behind on payments, who could be required to participate in work programs as a condition tied to their support obligations. Custodial parents and children relying on child support could be indirectly affected if the programs succeed in increasing noncustodial parents' employment and payment compliance. The bill was introduced in the Senate on December 10, 2020, by Senator Tom Cotton and referred to the Committee on Finance. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress, so it did not become law; any similar provisions would need to be reintroduced in a later Congress to be considered further.
- Has S. 4998 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 4998. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 4998?
- S. 4998 was sponsored by Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR] (R-AR), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 4998?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (10 Dec 2020).
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