With $130 million in past due child support, DHW to strengthen enforcement by suspending hunting and fishing privileges of delinquent parents

Starting Sept. 1, Child Support Services at the Department of Health and Welfare will implement stronger policies to help ensure more timely and complete child support payments from non-custodial parents.

The department will accomplish this by raising minimum child support payments required to maintain hunting and fishing privileges when a parent owes past due child support.

Since 1996, Idaho law has allowed Child Support Services to suspend non-custodial parents' driver's, recreational, and occupational licenses when they owe a qualifying balance of past due child support.

"The point here isn't to suspend a license, but for Idahoans to pay their child support," said DHW Director Alex Adams. "This is an important tool that the department uses to make sure Idaho's kids are given the support they need to thrive and succeed,"

The Child Support Services team plays a critical role in helping custodial parents by collecting payments for the costs of raising children. Unfortunately, $130 million of past due child support is owed for Idaho children on 24,251 child support cases.

The new policy will go into effect Sept. 1, and impacts hunting and fishing licenses for those who have fallen behind on child support payments.

"With this change we're defending Idaho children by ensuring their needs are prioritized over a delinquent parent's recreational privileges," Adams said.

The Department will also be studying which welfare benefits can be withheld from individuals with delinquent child support, and how to publicly report child support-related license suspensions consistent with state public record laws.

• Follow this link to read Adams' memo outlining these changes to DHW's child support enforcement in detail.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/.