Number: RS20837
Title: Distribution of Child Support Collections
Authors: Carmen Solomon-Fears, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: P.L. 104-193, the 1996 welfare reform law, substantively changed the rules governing how child support collections are distributed among families, states, and the federal government. Legislation that included provisions to simplify child support distribution procedures and provide more of the child support collected to custodial parents (rather than the government) was passed by the House in the 106th Congress, but not by the Senate. Several bills that would simplify the child support distribution process and ensure that more child support goes to custodial parents were introduced in the 107th Congress and similar legislation has been reintroduced as part of the welfare reauthorization measure in the 108th Congress.
Pages: 6
Date: Updated March 4, 2003