Governor Ducey signs bill to crack down on deadbeat parents

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Governor Doug Ducey has signed a bill on Monday that is meant to crack down on parents who are behind on Child Support.

According to information found at the Arizona State Legislature website, HB 2192 would allow a person who is at least six months behind on child support payments to have their driver's license suspended or denied.

According to current law, a full license suspension can be handed down, but the new law allows a partial suspension, by placing restrictions on where the person can travel to.

The bill's sponsor, State Rep. Regina Cobb, said a full suspension does not help anyone get back up to date, in terms of child support payments.

"How does that help the child to get any child support, in a deadbeat parent can't get to their job?" said State Rep. Cobb. "If they're going to school, if they're going to work, if they're doing their medical appointments or if they are going to see their child for visitation rights, they can have a restricted license for all those things."

Attorneys said the bill might appear as if the Arizona State Legislature is letting up of deadbeat parents, but the effects could be the opposite.

"Part of the problem with the law that currently stands is the judges are able to suspend someone's license," said one lawyer. "But because that is such as harsh penalty, often judges won't do that."

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House Bill 2192
child support; driver license restriction
https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/68687