Deadbeat Parents Can’t Beat Computer Law Requiring Employers To Report Hires Snares More Than 600 People

A new law requiring employers to report all new hires forced more than 600 deadbeat parents to start paying child support last month.

As of Oct. 1, all Idaho employers were given 20 days to notify the state of every new employee.

That information was run through a state computer bank to determine if any of those workers owed unpaid child support.

When a match was found, the computer automatically issued an order and mailed it to the employer so that parent’s wages were withheld.

“We knew the new law would work,” said Shannon Barnes, who runs the state’s computer system. “But we didn’t expect this kind of immediate result.”

Of the 11,678 people who started new jobs last month, more than 600 have had their wages withheld to pay back support.

Another 300 parents may be required to take paternity tests as a result of the new law.

“The initial results have been just amazing,” said Bill Walker, spokesman for Idaho’s Health and Welfare Department.

All 50 states were required as a part of last year’s congressional welfare reform package to pass similar laws.

“Unpaid child support is the leading cause forcing a family to seek the welfare system,” Walker said. “And it leads to untold stress on the family.”

The state recently started suspending statewide licenses - drivers licenses, medical licenses, fishing and hunting licenses - for parents who were $2,000 or three months behind in child support payments.

But that program did nothing to aid in the most complicated problem: finding deadbeat parents.

Before this latest law took effect, new employees were reported to Health and Welfare sometimes up to nine months after being hired.

“By then, people have changed jobs or the data is simply wrong,” Walker said.

The computer system used in conjunction with the new law also allows Idaho to enter reciprocity agreements with other states.

If a deadbeat parent is believed to be working in another state, Idaho officials can track him or her down and garnishee wages there.

“These new tools are really going to help families live better lives and remain self-reliant,” Walker said.

, DataTimes