Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that reduces seizures of child support payments in the state of Washington.

Highlights:

• Requires the division of child support to distribute support money within eight days of receipt, unless one of the following circumstances occurs (Sec. 1): 

• The location of the custodial parent is unknown; 

• The support debt is in litigation; or 

• The division of child support cannot identify the responsible parent or custodian.  

• Authorizes the distribution of support money to satisfy a support debt owed to the IV-D custodian before the debt owed to the state when the custodian stops recognizing public assistance grants (Sec. 1). 

• Requires a written statement from the child’s physical custodian, under penalty of perjury that the custodian has lawful custody of the child or custody with the payee’s consent (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits the department from counting as income any amount of current child support passed through to applicants or recipients in determining eligibility for the amount of temporary assistance for needy families (Sec. 2). 

• Establishes that if specific funding for this act is not provided by June 30, 2024, this act shall be nullified (Sec. 3). 

• Establishes the effective date as January 1, 2026 (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text