FAMILY LAW
Prepared by:
Melinda Hugdahl, Staff Attorney
Legal Services Advocacy Project
651-842-6907
mthugdahl@mnlsap.org

I. CHILD SUPPORT JUDGMENTS
Regular Session, Chapter 66, Section 8 (SF 137)
Amends Minnesota Laws 2010, Chapter 238, Section 7, as amended by Minnesota Laws 2010, Chapter 371, Section 5
Effective May 25, 2011

Further delays - until January 1, 2013 - the effective date extending child support judgments from 10 to 20 years.

II. CHILD SUPPORT (IV-D) RECOVERY FEE
First Special Session, Chapter 9, Article 1, Section 32 (HF 25)
Amends Minn. Stat. § 518A.51
Effective January 1, 2012

A. Fee Increase
Increases the child support recovery fee from 1% of child support collected to 2% of child support collected, but retains existing exemptions from the increase for: (1) current public assistance recipients; and (2) persons who have received public assistance in the past 24 months.

B. Distribution of Nonfederal Share of Funds Collected
Requires that the nonfederal share of funds collected must be distributed as follows: (1) 50% to the Department of Human Services (DHS) to the system special revenue account (to fund the state child support computer system); (2) an additional unspecified portion to DHS for expenditures necessary for administering the fee; and (3) the remaining portion to the counties to aid in child support funding, and to help offset reductions to county child support grants. Requires the funds received to be reinvested in the child support program. Prohibits counties from reducing county funding for child support programs by the amount of funds distributed.