1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to child support; amending s. 61.13, F.S.; |
3 | providing a civil penalty and attorney's fees and costs |
4 | for noncompliance with a requirement to enroll a child in |
5 | health care coverage; providing for enforcement by the |
6 | Department of Revenue; repealing a provision relating to a |
7 | judicial circuit with a work experience and job training |
8 | pilot project; amending s. 61.1301, F.S.; providing for |
9 | the repayment of a support delinquency through income |
10 | deduction; providing for application to support orders or |
11 | income deduction orders entered before July 1, 2006; |
12 | requiring an obligor contesting an income deduction order |
13 | rendered by a Title IV-D agency to file the petition with |
14 | the Title IV-D agency; requiring the department to provide |
15 | payors with Internet access to income deduction and |
16 | national medical support notices issued by the department |
17 | on or after July 1, 2006; amending s. 61.13016, F.S.; |
18 | providing for suspension of a driver's license to enforce |
19 | compliance with an order to appear for genetic testing; |
20 | amending s. 61.1354, F.S.; requiring a Title IV-D agency |
21 | to provide information relating to the amount of current |
22 | support owed by an obligor; amending s. 61.14, F.S.; |
23 | authorizing the circuit court to enforce a support order |
24 | by ordering the obligor to seek employment, file periodic |
25 | reports with the court or the department, notify the court |
26 | or department upon obtaining employment, income, or |
27 | property, and participate in jobs programs; providing for |
28 | contempt of court; repealing provisions related to a |
29 | judicial circuit with a work experience and job training |
30 | pilot project; correcting a cross reference; providing for |
31 | recovery of support arrearages from workers' compensation |
32 | lump-sum settlements; requiring the Office of the Judges |
33 | of Compensation Claims to adopt procedural rules; |
34 | requiring local depositories to electronically provide the |
35 | department with certain data; amending s. 61.1814, F.S.; |
36 | providing for fines for failure or refusal to submit to |
37 | genetic testing to be deposited in the Child Support |
38 | Enforcement Application and Program Revenue Trust Fund; |
39 | correcting a cross reference; amending s. 61.1824, F.S.; |
40 | requiring the State Disbursement Unit to provide for |
41 | electronic disbursement of support payments to obligees, |
42 | notify obligees of electronic disbursement options, and |
43 | encourage use of such options; requiring electronic |
44 | remittance of support payments by certain employers; |
45 | providing for waivers; amending s. 61.30, F.S.; correcting |
46 | a cross reference and reenacting s. 61.30(8), F.S., |
47 | relating to child support guidelines for health insurance |
48 | costs and other medical expenses of a child, to |
49 | incorporate the amendment to s. 61.13, F.S., in a |
50 | reference thereto; amending s. 120.80, F.S.; providing for |
51 | entry of final orders by the Division of Administrative |
52 | Hearings in proceedings to establish paternity or |
53 | paternity and child support; providing for the right to |
54 | immediate judicial review to contest an administrative |
55 | order for genetic testing; providing for judicial |
56 | enforcement of agency final orders; providing for venue of |
57 | administrative hearings in paternity proceedings and |
58 | determinations of noncovered medical expenses; amending s. |
59 | 322.142, F.S.; authorizing the department to obtain |
60 | digital photographs and signatures from the Department of |
61 | Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for use in establishing |
62 | paternity and establishing, modifying, or enforcing |
63 | support obligations; amending s. 382.013, F.S.; requiring |
64 | the Department of Health to amend a child's birth |
65 | certificate when paternity is established by the |
66 | Department of Revenue; amending s. 382.015, F.S.; |
67 | requiring the clerk of the court to ensure that all |
68 | judicial determinations of paternity are reported to the |
69 | Department of Health; requiring the Department of Health |
70 | to monitor compliance and report data to the clerks of the |
71 | court; amending s. 382.016, F.S.; providing for the |
72 | Department of Health to leave birth certificates and |
73 | related papers unsealed when a father is listed pursuant |
74 | to an acknowledgment of paternity; providing for the |
75 | Department of Health to amend the birth certificate of a |
76 | child born in the state whose paternity is established in |
77 | another state; providing for the Department of Revenue to |
78 | develop written educational materials concerning |
79 | establishment of paternity for use and distribution by |
80 | Department of Children and Family Services, Department of |
81 | Corrections, Department of Education, Department of |
82 | Health, and Department of Juvenile Justice; creating s. |
83 | 382.357, F.S.; providing for the Department of Health, |
84 | Department of Revenue, Florida Hospital Association, |
85 | Florida Association of Court Clerks, and one or more local |
86 | registrars to study the feasibility of and report on the |
87 | filing of original and new or amended birth certificates |
88 | with the Department of Health; requiring a report to the |
89 | Legislature; amending s. 395.003, F.S.; requiring a |
90 | hospital providing birthing services to comply with s. |
91 | 382.013(2)(c), F.S., when applying for certain licenses; |
92 | prohibiting fines and sanctions against hospitals for |
93 | noncompliance with s. 382.013(2)(c), F.S.; amending s. |
94 | 409.2557, F.S.; authorizing the Department of Revenue to |
95 | adopt rules relating to administrative proceedings to |
96 | establish paternity, paternity and child support orders, |
97 | and orders to appear for genetic testing; amending s. |
98 | 409.2558, F.S.; providing for a determination by the |
99 | Department of Revenue that a collection or refund is |
100 | undistributable; requiring the Department of Revenue to |
101 | make reasonable efforts to locate persons to whom |
102 | collections or refunds are owed; providing for location |
103 | efforts to include disclosure through a searchable |
104 | database of the names of obligees, obligors, and |
105 | depository account numbers on the Internet in compliance |
106 | with certain requirements; creating s. 409.256, F.S.; |
107 | providing definitions; authorizing the Department of |
108 | Revenue to administratively establish paternity based on |
109 | the results of genetic testing; providing for notice, |
110 | opportunity for administrative hearing, and right to |
111 | judicial review; authorizing the Department of Revenue to |
112 | combine a paternity proceeding with an administrative |
113 | proceeding under s. 409.2563, F.S.; providing for |
114 | administrative orders to appear for genetic testing and |
115 | right to contest; providing for scheduling of genetic |
116 | testing and rescheduling for good cause; providing |
117 | sanctions for failure or refusal to submit to genetic |
118 | testing; providing for a presumption of paternity based on |
119 | specified genetic testing results; providing for |
120 | admissibility of genetic testing results at administrative |
121 | hearings; providing for hearings to be conducted by the |
122 | Division of Administrative Hearings in accordance with ch. |
123 | 120, F.S.; providing that a final order issued by an |
124 | administrative law judge constitutes final agency action |
125 | by the Department of Revenue; providing that a final order |
126 | establishing paternity has the same effect as a judgment |
127 | entered by a court pursuant to ch. 742, F.S.; requiring a |
128 | respondent to notify the Department of Revenue of changes |
129 | of address and that subsequent notice by mail is deemed to |
130 | have been received; providing that the administrative |
131 | procedure is a supplemental remedy; authorizing the |
132 | Department of Revenue to adopt rules; amending s. |
133 | 409.2561, F.S.; providing that no obligation of support |
134 | shall be incurred by a recipient of supplemental security |
135 | income or temporary cash assistance for the benefit of a |
136 | dependent child; amending s. 409.2563, F.S.; authorizing |
137 | the Department of Revenue to establish an administrative |
138 | support order when paternity is determined pursuant to s. |
139 | 409.256, F.S.; creating s. 409.25635, F.S.; authorizing |
140 | the Department of Revenue to determine the amount owed by |
141 | an obligor for noncovered medical expenses in Title IV-D |
142 | cases; defining "noncovered medical expenses"; providing |
143 | for notice, opportunity for administrative hearing, and |
144 | right to judicial review; requiring a written declaration |
145 | under penalty of perjury by the obligee and documentation |
146 | of claims; providing that a determination by the |
147 | Department of Revenue has the same effect as a judgment |
148 | entered by a court; providing for filing an uncontested |
149 | notice or final order with the local depository; |
150 | authorizing the Department of Revenue to collect |
151 | noncovered medical expenses by using the same remedies |
152 | available for collection of support; providing that the |
153 | administrative procedure is a supplemental remedy; |
154 | authorizing the Department of Revenue to adopt rules; |
155 | amending s. 409.2564, F.S.; repealing provision relating |
156 | to judicial circuits with a work experience and job |
157 | training pilot project; providing for a reduction in the |
158 | amount of retroactive support permanently assigned to the |
159 | state when the obligor and the Department of Revenue agree |
160 | to entry of a support order based on the child support |
161 | guidelines; amending s. 409.25645, F.S.; providing for |
162 | correctional facilities to assist putative fathers in |
163 | complying with administrative orders for genetic testing; |
164 | providing that an administrative order for genetic testing |
165 | has the same force and effect as a court order; amending |
166 | s. 409.2567, F.S.; authorizing the Department of Revenue |
167 | to seek a federal waiver from the requirement that an |
168 | individual must apply for Title IV-D services; providing |
169 | for the Department of Revenue to adopt rules if a waiver |
170 | is granted and provide Title IV-D services if support |
171 | payments are not paid as ordered unless the individual |
172 | refuses services after notice; providing an application |
173 | fee for child support services provided by the Department |
174 | of Revenue, waiver of the fee, and payment by the |
175 | department; removing rulemaking authority of the |
176 | Department of Children and Family Services relating to the |
177 | application fee and deposit thereof; amending s. 409.2598, |
178 | F.S.; revising provisions relating to license suspension |
179 | to enforce support orders; authorizing the Department of |
180 | Revenue to commence a proceeding to suspend an obligor's |
181 | occupational, business, trade, professional, or |
182 | recreational license for noncompliance with a support |
183 | order; providing for notice by regular mail, opportunity |
184 | to contest in circuit court, grounds for contesting, and |
185 | stay of proceedings if a timely petition to contest is |
186 | filed; providing for written agreement with the Department |
187 | of Revenue to avoid suspension, reinstatement notice upon |
188 | compliance, and suspension if the obligor does not comply |
189 | after notice, does not contest, or does not comply with a |
190 | written agreement unless the obligor notifies the |
191 | department of inability to comply with the written |
192 | agreement; providing for full disclosure by obligor of |
193 | income, assets, and employment; providing for |
194 | reinstatement upon court order; providing for license |
195 | suspension to enforce subpoenas, orders to appear, or |
196 | similar orders; providing for combining a proceeding to |
197 | enforce a support order with a proceeding to suspend a |
198 | driver's license, under certain circumstances; authorizing |
199 | the Department of Revenue to adopt rules; amending s. |
200 | 409.259, F.S.; requiring the clerks of the circuit court, |
201 | chief judges through the Office of the State Courts |
202 | Administrator, sheriffs, Office of the Attorney General, |
203 | and Department of Revenue to work cooperatively to |
204 | implement electronic filing of pleadings, returns of |
205 | service, and other papers by October 1, 2009; amending s. |
206 | 409.821, F.S.; requiring the Agency for Health Care |
207 | Administration to disclose information identifying Florida |
208 | KidCare applicants or enrollees to the Department of |
209 | Revenue for purposes of administering the state's Title |
210 | IV-D program; amending s. 414.065, F.S.; providing that a |
211 | court may order a noncustodial parent who is delinquent |
212 | pursuant to the terms of a support order to participate in |
213 | work activities under ch. 414, F.S., or as provided in s. |
214 | 61.14(5)(b), F.S.; amending s. 443.051, F.S.; revising |
215 | provisions relating to interception of child support |
216 | benefits; providing and revising definitions; requiring |
217 | the Agency for Workforce Innovation to deduct and withhold |
218 | a specified percentage of unemployment compensation |
219 | otherwise payable to an individual who owes a support |
220 | obligation, under certain circumstances; providing for the |
221 | Department of Revenue to promptly refund any excess |
222 | deduction to the obligor; amending s. 455.203, F.S.; |
223 | repealing authority to screen license applicants for |
224 | compliance with support obligations; requiring the |
225 | Department of Business and Professional Regulation to |
226 | cooperate with the Department of Revenue to implement an |
227 | automated method for current license disclosure; requiring |
228 | the Department of Revenue to suspend or deny licenses for |
229 | noncompliance with a support order; providing for issuance |
230 | or restatement upon proof of compliance; amending s. |
231 | 742.10, F.S.; providing that when paternity is adjudicated |
232 | by the Department of Revenue pursuant to s. 409.256, F.S., |
233 | such adjudication constitutes the establishment of |
234 | paternity for purposes of ch. 742, F.S.; amending s. |
235 | 760.40, F.S.; providing for genetic testing in paternity |
236 | cases and disclosure of test results as authorized by s. |
237 | 409.256, F.S.; amending s. 827.06, F.S.; repealing |
238 | provisions that require exhaustion of civil remedies |
239 | before a criminal prosecution for nonsupport of dependents |
240 | is commenced, a prior adjudication of contempt for failure |
241 | to comply with a support order, notice by the state |
242 | attorney prior to prosecution, and mandatory minimum fines |
243 | and imprisonment; providing for the state attorneys, the |
244 | Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, and the |
245 | Department of Revenue to identify strategies for pursuing |
246 | criminal prosecution in certain cases and to submit a |
247 | report to the Governor and Legislature; providing |
248 | effective dates. |
249 |
|
250 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
251 |
|
252 | Section 1. Effective October 1, 2005, paragraphs (b) and |
253 | (e) of subsection (1) of section 61.13, Florida Statutes, are |
254 | amended to read: |
255 | 61.13 Custody and support of children; visitation rights; |
256 | power of court in making orders.-- |
257 | (1) |
258 | (b) Each order for support shall contain a provision for |
259 | health care coverage for the minor child when the coverage is |
260 | reasonably available. Coverage is reasonably available if either |
261 | the obligor or obligee has access at a reasonable rate to a |
262 | group health plan. The court may require the obligor either to |
263 | provide health care coverage or to reimburse the obligee for the |
264 | cost of health care coverage for the minor child when coverage |
265 | is provided by the obligee. In either event, the court shall |
266 | apportion the cost of coverage, and any noncovered medical, |
267 | dental, and prescription medication expenses of the child, to |
268 | both parties by adding the cost to the basic obligation |
269 | determined pursuant to s. 61.30(6). The court may order that |
270 | payment of uncovered medical, dental, and prescription |
271 | medication expenses of the minor child be made directly to the |
272 | obligee on a percentage basis. |
273 | 1. In a non-Title IV-D case, a copy of the court order for |
274 | health care coverage shall be served on the obligor's union or |
275 | employer by the obligee when the following conditions are met: |
276 | a. The obligor fails to provide written proof to the |
277 | obligee within 30 days after receiving effective notice of the |
278 | court order, that the health care coverage has been obtained or |
279 | that application for coverage has been made; |
280 | b. The obligee serves written notice of intent to enforce |
281 | an order for health care coverage on the obligor by mail at the |
282 | obligor's last known address; and |
283 | c. The obligor fails within 15 days after the mailing of |
284 | the notice to provide written proof to the obligee that the |
285 | health care coverage existed as of the date of mailing. |
286 | 2.a. A support order enforced under Title IV-D of the |
287 | Social Security Act which requires that the obligor provide |
288 | health care coverage is enforceable by the department through |
289 | the use of the national medical support notice, and an amendment |
290 | to the support order is not required. The department shall |
291 | transfer the national medical support notice to the obligor's |
292 | union or employer. The department shall notify the obligor in |
293 | writing that the notice has been sent to the obligor's union or |
294 | employer, and the written notification must include the |
295 | obligor's rights and duties under the national medical support |
296 | notice. The obligor may contest the withholding required by the |
297 | national medical support notice based on a mistake of fact. To |
298 | contest the withholding, the obligor must file a written notice |
299 | of contest with the department within 15 business days after the |
300 | date the obligor receives written notification of the national |
301 | medical support notice from the department. Filing with the |
302 | department is complete when the notice is received by the person |
303 | designated by the department in the written notification. The |
304 | notice of contest must be in the form prescribed by the |
305 | department. Upon the timely filing of a notice of contest, the |
306 | department shall, within 5 business days, schedule an informal |
307 | conference with the obligor to discuss the obligor's factual |
308 | dispute. If the informal conference resolves the dispute to the |
309 | obligor's satisfaction or if the obligor fails to attend the |
310 | informal conference, the notice of contest is deemed withdrawn. |
311 | If the informal conference does not resolve the dispute, the |
312 | obligor may request an administrative hearing under chapter 120 |
313 | within 5 business days after the termination of the informal |
314 | conference, in a form and manner prescribed by the department. |
315 | However, the filing of a notice of contest by the obligor does |
316 | not delay the withholding of premium payments by the union, |
317 | employer, or health plan administrator. The union, employer, or |
318 | health plan administrator must implement the withholding as |
319 | directed by the national medical support notice unless notified |
320 | by the department that the national medical support notice is |
321 | terminated. |
322 | b. In a Title IV-D case, the department shall notify an |
323 | obligor's union or employer if the obligation to provide health |
324 | care coverage through that union or employer is terminated. |
325 | 3. In a non-Title IV-D case, upon receipt of the order |
326 | pursuant to subparagraph 1., or upon application of the obligor |
327 | pursuant to the order, the union or employer shall enroll the |
328 | minor child as a beneficiary in the group health plan regardless |
329 | of any restrictions on the enrollment period and withhold any |
330 | required premium from the obligor's income. If more than one |
331 | plan is offered by the union or employer, the child shall be |
332 | enrolled in the group health plan in which the obligor is |
333 | enrolled. |
334 | 4.a. Upon receipt of the national medical support notice |
335 | under subparagraph 2. in a Title IV-D case, the union or |
336 | employer shall transfer the notice to the appropriate group |
337 | health plan administrator within 20 business days after the date |
338 | on the notice. The plan administrator must enroll the child as a |
339 | beneficiary in the group health plan regardless of any |
340 | restrictions on the enrollment period, and the union or employer |
341 | must withhold any required premium from the obligor's income |
342 | upon notification by the plan administrator that the child is |
343 | enrolled. The child shall be enrolled in the group health plan |
344 | in which the obligor is enrolled. If the group health plan in |
345 | which the obligor is enrolled is not available where the child |
346 | resides or if the obligor is not enrolled in group coverage, the |
347 | child shall be enrolled in the lowest cost group health plan |
348 | that is available where the child resides. |
349 | b. If health care coverage or the obligor's employment is |
350 | terminated in a Title IV-D case, the union or employer that is |
351 | withholding premiums for health care coverage under a national |
352 | medical support notice must notify the department within 20 days |
353 | after the termination and provide the obligor's last known |
354 | address and the name and address of the obligor's new employer, |
355 | if known. |
356 | 5.a. The amount withheld by a union or employer in |
357 | compliance with a support order may not exceed the amount |
358 | allowed under s. 303(b) of the Consumer Credit Protection Act, |
359 | 15 U.S.C. s. 1673(b), as amended. The union or employer shall |
360 | withhold the maximum allowed by the Consumer Credit Protection |
361 | Act in the following order: |
362 | (I) Current support, as ordered. |
363 | (II) Premium payments for health care coverage, as |
364 | ordered. |
365 | (III) Past due support, as ordered. |
366 | (IV) Other medical support or coverage, as ordered. |
367 | b. If the combined amount to be withheld for current |
368 | support plus the premium payment for health care coverage exceed |
369 | the amount allowed under the Consumer Credit Protection Act, and |
370 | the health care coverage cannot be obtained unless the full |
371 | amount of the premium is paid, the union or employer may not |
372 | withhold the premium payment. However, the union or employer |
373 | shall withhold the maximum allowed in the following order: |
374 | (I) Current support, as ordered. |
375 | (II) Past due support, as ordered. |
376 | (III) Other medical support or coverage, as ordered. |
377 | 6. An employer, union, or plan administrator who does not |
378 | comply with the requirements in sub-subparagraph 4.a. is subject |
379 | to a civil penalty not to exceed $250 for the first violation |
380 | and $500 for subsequent violations, plus attorney's fees and |
381 | costs. The department may file a petition in circuit court to |
382 | enforce the requirements of this subsection. |
383 | 7.6. The department of Revenue may adopt rules to |
384 | administer the child support enforcement provisions of this |
385 | section that which affect Title IV-D cases. |
386 | (e) In a judicial circuit with a work experience and job |
387 | training pilot project, if the obligor is unemployed or has no |
388 | income and does not have an account at a financial institution, |
389 | then the court shall order the obligor to seek employment, if |
390 | the obligor is able to engage in employment, and to immediately |
391 | notify the court upon obtaining employment, upon obtaining any |
392 | income, or upon obtaining any ownership of any asset with a |
393 | value of $500 or more. If the obligor is still unemployed 30 |
394 | days after any order for support, the court may order the |
395 | obligor to enroll in the work experience, job placement, and job |
396 | training pilot program for noncustodial parents as established |
397 | in s. 409.2565, if the obligor is eligible for entrance into the |
398 | pilot program. |
399 | Section 2. Effective July 1, 2006, paragraphs (b), (e), |
400 | and (f) of subsection (1) of section 61.1301, Florida Statutes, |
401 | are amended, paragraph (c) is added to subsection (3), and |
402 | subsection (5) is added to said section, to read: |
403 | 61.1301 Income deduction orders.-- |
404 | (1) ISSUANCE IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN ORDER ESTABLISHING, |
405 | ENFORCING, OR MODIFYING AN OBLIGATION FOR ALIMONY OR CHILD |
406 | SUPPORT.-- |
407 | (b) The income deduction order shall: |
408 | 1. Direct a payor to deduct from all income due and |
409 | payable to an obligor the amount required by the court to meet |
410 | the obligor's support obligation including any attorney's fees |
411 | or costs owed and forward the deducted amount pursuant to the |
412 | order. |
413 | 2. State the amount of arrearage owed, if any, and direct |
414 | a payor to withhold an additional 20 percent or more of the |
415 | periodic amount specified in the order establishing, enforcing, |
416 | or modifying the obligation, until full payment is made of any |
417 | arrearage, attorney's fees and costs owed, provided no deduction |
418 | shall be applied to attorney's fees and costs until the full |
419 | amount of any arrearage is paid.; |
420 | 3. Provide that if a delinquency accrues after the order |
421 | establishing, modifying, or enforcing the obligation has been |
422 | entered and there is no order for repayment of the delinquency |
423 | or a preexisting arrearage, a payor shall deduct an additional |
424 | 20 percent of the current support obligation or other amount |
425 | agreed to by the parties until the delinquency and any |
426 | attorney's fees and costs are paid in full. No deduction may be |
427 | applied to attorney's fees and costs until the delinquency is |
428 | paid in full. |
429 | 4.3. Direct a payor not to deduct in excess of the amounts |
430 | allowed under s. 303(b) of the Consumer Credit Protection Act, |
431 | 15 U.S.C. s. 1673(b), as amended.; |
432 | 5.4. Direct whether a payor shall deduct all, a specified |
433 | portion, or no income which is paid in the form of a bonus or |
434 | other similar one-time payment, up to the amount of arrearage |
435 | reported in the income deduction notice or the remaining balance |
436 | thereof, and forward the payment to the governmental depository. |
437 | For purposes of this subparagraph, "bonus" means a payment in |
438 | addition to an obligor's usual compensation and which is in |
439 | addition to any amounts contracted for or otherwise legally due |
440 | and shall not include any commission payments due an obligor.; |
441 | 6.5. In Title IV-D cases, direct a payor to provide to the |
442 | court depository the date on which each deduction is made.; |
443 | 7.6. In Title IV-D cases, if an obligation to pay current |
444 | support is reduced or terminated due to emancipation of a child |
445 | and the obligor owes an arrearage, retroactive support, |
446 | delinquency, or costs, direct the payor to continue the income |
447 | deduction at the rate in effect immediately prior to |
448 | emancipation until all arrearages, retroactive support, |
449 | delinquencies, and costs are paid in full or until the amount of |
450 | withholding is modified.; and |
451 | 8.7. Direct that, at such time as the State Disbursement |
452 | Unit becomes operational, all payments in those cases in which |
453 | the obligee is receiving Title IV-D services and in those cases |
454 | in which the obligee is not receiving Title IV-D services in |
455 | which the initial support order was issued in this state on or |
456 | after January 1, 1994, and in which the obligor's child support |
457 | obligation is being paid through income deduction, be made |
458 | payable to and delivered to the State Disbursement Unit. |
459 | Notwithstanding any other statutory provision to the contrary, |
460 | funds received by the State Disbursement Unit shall be held, |
461 | administered, and disbursed by the State Disbursement Unit |
462 | pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. |
463 | (e) Statement of obligor's rights. When the court orders |
464 | the income deduction to be effective immediately, the court |
465 | shall furnish to the obligor a statement of his or her rights, |
466 | remedies, and duties in regard to the income deduction order. |
467 | The statement shall state: |
468 | 1. All fees or interest which shall be imposed. |
469 | 2. The total amount of income to be deducted for each pay |
470 | period until the arrearage, if any, is paid in full and shall |
471 | state the total amount of income to be deducted for each pay |
472 | period thereafter. The amounts deducted may not be in excess of |
473 | that allowed under s. 303(b) of the Consumer Credit Protection |
474 | Act, 15 U.S.C. s. 1673(b), as amended. |
475 | 3. That the income deduction order applies to current and |
476 | subsequent payors and periods of employment. |
477 | 4. That a copy of the income deduction order or, in Title |
478 | IV-D cases, the income deduction notice will be served on the |
479 | obligor's payor or payors. |
480 | 5. That enforcement of the income deduction order may only |
481 | be contested on the ground of mistake of fact regarding the |
482 | amount owed pursuant to the order establishing, enforcing, or |
483 | modifying the obligation, the arrearages, or the identity of the |
484 | obligor, the payor, or the obligee. |
485 | 6. That the obligor is required to notify the obligee and, |
486 | when the obligee is receiving IV-D services, the IV-D agency |
487 | within 7 days of changes in the obligor's address, payors, and |
488 | the addresses of his or her payors. |
489 | 7. That in a Title IV-D case, if an obligation to pay |
490 | current support is reduced or terminated due to emancipation of |
491 | a child and the obligor owes an arrearage, retroactive support, |
492 | delinquency, or costs, income deduction continues at the rate in |
493 | effect immediately prior to emancipation until all arrearages, |
494 | retroactive support, delinquencies, and costs are paid in full |
495 | or until the amount of withholding is modified. |
496 | (f) Notice of delinquency. If a support order was entered |
497 | before January 1, 1994, or the court orders the income deduction |
498 | to be effective upon a delinquency as provided in paragraph (c), |
499 | or a delinquency has accrued under an order entered before July |
500 | 1, 2006, that established, modified, or enforced the obligation |
501 | and there is no order for repayment of the delinquency or a |
502 | preexisting arrearage, the obligee or, in Title IV-D cases, the |
503 | Title IV-D agency may enforce the income deduction by serving a |
504 | notice of delinquency on the obligor under this paragraph |
505 | subsection. |
506 | 1. The notice of delinquency shall state: |
507 | a. The terms of the order establishing, enforcing, or |
508 | modifying the obligation. |
509 | b. The period of delinquency and the total amount of the |
510 | delinquency as of the date the notice is mailed. |
511 | c. All fees or interest which may be imposed. |
512 | d. The total amount of income to be deducted for each pay |
513 | period until the arrearage, and all applicable fees and |
514 | interest, is paid in full and shall state the total amount of |
515 | income to be deducted for each pay period thereafter. The |
516 | amounts deducted may not be in excess of that allowed under s. |
517 | 303(b) of the Consumer Credit Protection Act, 15 U.S.C. s. |
518 | 1673(b), as amended. |
519 | e. That the income deduction order applies to current and |
520 | subsequent payors and periods of employment. |
521 | f. That a copy of the notice of delinquency will be served |
522 | on the obligor's payor or payors, together with a copy of the |
523 | income deduction order or, in Title IV-D cases, the income |
524 | deduction notice, unless the obligor applies to the court to |
525 | contest enforcement of the income deduction. If the income |
526 | deduction order being enforced was rendered by the Title IV-D |
527 | agency pursuant to s. 409.2563 and the obligor contests the |
528 | deduction, the obligor shall file a petition for an |
529 | administrative hearing with the Title IV-D agency. The |
530 | application or petition shall be filed within 15 days after the |
531 | date the notice of delinquency was served. |
532 | g. That enforcement of the income deduction order may only |
533 | be contested on the ground of mistake of fact regarding the |
534 | amount owed pursuant to the order establishing, enforcing, or |
535 | modifying the obligation, the amount of arrearages, or the |
536 | identity of the obligor, the payor, or the obligee. |
537 | h. That the obligor is required to notify the obligee of |
538 | the obligor's current address and current payors and of the |
539 | address of current payors. All changes shall be reported by the |
540 | obligor within 7 days. If the IV-D agency is enforcing the |
541 | order, the obligor shall make these notifications to the agency |
542 | instead of to the obligee. |
543 | 2. The failure of the obligor to receive the notice of |
544 | delinquency does not preclude subsequent service of the income |
545 | deduction order or, in Title IV-D cases, the income deduction |
546 | notice on the obligor's payor. A notice of delinquency which |
547 | fails to state an arrearage does not mean that an arrearage is |
548 | not owed. |
549 | (3) |
550 | (c) If a delinquency accrues after an order establishing, |
551 | modifying, or enforcing a support obligation has been entered, |
552 | an income deduction order entered after July 1, 2006, is in |
553 | effect, and there is no order for repayment of the delinquency |
554 | or a preexisting arrearage, a payor who is served with an income |
555 | deduction order or, in a Title IV-D case, an income deduction |
556 | notice shall deduct an additional 20 percent of the current |
557 | support obligation or other amount agreed to by the parties |
558 | until the delinquency and any attorney's fees and costs are paid |
559 | in full. No deduction may be applied to attorney's fees and |
560 | costs until the delinquency is paid in full. |
561 | (5) By July 1, 2006, the department shall provide a payor |
562 | with Internet access to income deduction and national medical |
563 | support notices issued by the department on or after July 1, |
564 | 2006, concerning an obligor to whom the payor pays income. The |
565 | department shall provide a payor who requests Internet access |
566 | with a user code and password to allow the payor to receive |
567 | notices electronically and to download the information necessary |
568 | to begin income deduction and health care coverage enrollment. |
569 | If a participating payor does not respond to electronic notice |
570 | by accessing the data posted by the department within 48 hours, |
571 | the department shall mail the income deduction or medical |
572 | support notice to the payor. |
573 | Section 3. Effective January 1, 2006, subsection (4) is |
574 | added to section 61.13016, Florida Statutes, to read: |
575 | 61.13016 Suspension of driver's licenses and motor vehicle |
576 | registrations.-- |
577 | (4) The procedures prescribed in this section and s. |
578 | 322.058 may be used to enforce compliance with an order to |
579 | appear for genetic testing. |
580 | Section 4. Effective July 1, 2006, subsections (1) and (2) |
581 | of section 61.1354, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
582 | 61.1354 Sharing of information between consumer reporting |
583 | agencies and the IV-D agency.-- |
584 | (1) Upon receipt of a request from a consumer reporting |
585 | agency as defined in s. 603(f) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, |
586 | the IV-D agency or the depository in non-Title-IV-D cases shall |
587 | make available information relating to the amount of current and |
588 | overdue support owed by an obligor. The IV-D agency or the |
589 | depository in non-Title-IV-D cases shall give the obligor |
590 | written notice, at least 15 days prior to the release of |
591 | information, of the IV-D agency's or depository's authority to |
592 | release information to consumer reporting agencies relating to |
593 | the amount of current and overdue support owed by the obligor. |
594 | The obligor shall be informed of his or her right to request a |
595 | hearing with the IV-D agency or the court in non-Title-IV-D |
596 | cases to contest the accuracy of the information. |
597 | (2) The IV-D agency shall report periodically to |
598 | appropriate consumer reporting agencies, as identified by the |
599 | IV-D agency, the name and social security number of any |
600 | delinquent obligor, and the amount of overdue support owed by |
601 | the obligor, and the amount of the obligor's current support |
602 | obligation when the overdue support is paid. The IV-D agency, or |
603 | its designee, shall provide the obligor with written notice, at |
604 | least 15 days prior to the initial release of information, of |
605 | the IV-D agency's authority to release the information |
606 | periodically to the consumer reporting agencies. The notice |
607 | shall state the amount of overdue support owed and shall inform |
608 | the obligor of the right to request a hearing with the IV-D |
609 | agency within 15 days after receipt of the notice to contest the |
610 | accuracy of the information. After the initial notice is given, |
611 | no further notice or opportunity for a hearing need be given |
612 | when updated information concerning the same obligor is |
613 | periodically released to the consumer reporting agencies. |
614 | Section 5. Effective October 1, 2005, subsection (5) of |
615 | section 61.14, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
616 | 61.14 Enforcement and modification of support, |
617 | maintenance, or alimony agreements or orders.-- |
618 | (5)(a) When a court of competent jurisdiction enters an |
619 | order for the payment of alimony or child support or both, the |
620 | court shall make a finding of the obligor's imputed or actual |
621 | present ability to comply with the order. If the obligor |
622 | subsequently fails to pay alimony or support and a contempt |
623 | hearing is held, the original order of the court creates a |
624 | presumption that the obligor has the present ability to pay the |
625 | alimony or support and to purge himself or herself from the |
626 | contempt. At the contempt hearing, the obligor shall have the |
627 | burden of proof to show that he or she lacks the ability to |
628 | purge himself or herself from the contempt. This presumption is |
629 | adopted as a presumption under s. 90.302(2) to implement the |
630 | public policy of this state that children shall be maintained |
631 | from the resources of their parents and as provided for in s. |
632 | 409.2551, and that spouses be maintained as provided for in s. |
633 | 61.08. The court shall state in its order the reasons for |
634 | granting or denying the contempt. |
635 | (b) In a proceeding in circuit court to enforce a support |
636 | order under this chapter, chapter 88, chapter 409, or chapter |
637 | 742, or any other provision of law, if the court finds that |
638 | payments due under the support order are delinquent or overdue |
639 | and that the obligor is unemployed, underemployed, or has no |
640 | income but is able to work or participate in job training, the |
641 | court may order the obligor to: |
642 | 1. Seek employment. |
643 | 2. File periodic reports with the court, or with the |
644 | department if the department is providing Title IV-D services, |
645 | detailing the obligor's efforts to seek and obtain employment |
646 | during the reporting period. |
647 | 3. Notify the court or the department, as appropriate, |
648 | upon obtaining employment, income, or property. |
649 | 4. Participate in job training, job placement, work |
650 | experience, or other work programs that may be available |
651 | pursuant to chapter 445, chapter 446, or any other source. |
652 |
|
653 | An obligor who willfully fails to comply with a court order to |
654 | seek work or participate in other work-related activities may be |
655 | held in contempt of court. This paragraph is in furtherance of |
656 | the public policy of the state of ensuring that children are |
657 | maintained from the resources of their parents to the extent |
658 | possible. In a judicial circuit with a work experience and job |
659 | training pilot project, if at the time of the contempt hearing |
660 | the obligor is unemployed or has no income, then the court shall |
661 | order the obligor to seek employment, if the obligor is able to |
662 | engage in employment, and to immediately notify the court upon |
663 | obtaining employment, upon obtaining any income, or upon |
664 | obtaining any ownership of any asset with a value of $500 or |
665 | more. If the obligor is still unemployed 30 days after any order |
666 | for support, the court may order the obligor to enroll in a work |
667 | experience, job placement, and job training program for |
668 | noncustodial parents as established in s. 409.2565, if the |
669 | obligor is eligible for entrance into the pilot program. |
670 | Section 6. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section |
671 | 61.14, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
672 | 61.14 Enforcement and modification of support, |
673 | maintenance, or alimony agreements or orders.-- |
674 | (1) |
675 | (b) For each support order reviewed by the department as |
676 | required by s. 409.2564(11)(12), if the amount of the child |
677 | support award under the order differs by at least 10 percent but |
678 | not less than $25 from the amount that would be awarded under s. |
679 | 61.30, the department shall seek to have the order modified and |
680 | any modification shall be made without a requirement for proof |
681 | or showing of a change in circumstances. |
682 | Section 7. Effective December 1, 2005, paragraph (a) of |
683 | subsection (8) of section 61.14, Florida Statutes, is amended to |
684 | read: |
685 | 61.14 Enforcement and modification of support, |
686 | maintenance, or alimony agreements or orders.-- |
687 | (8)(a) When an employee and an employer reach agreement |
688 | for a lump-sum settlement under s. 440.20(11), no proceeds of |
689 | the settlement shall be disbursed to the employee, nor shall any |
690 | attorney's fees be disbursed, until after a judge of |
691 | compensation claims reviews the proposed disbursement and enters |
692 | an order finding the settlement provides for appropriate |
693 | recovery of any support arrearage. The employee, or the |
694 | employee's attorney if the employee is represented, shall submit |
695 | a written statement from the department that indicates whether |
696 | the worker owes unpaid support and, if so, the amount owed. In |
697 | addition, the judge of compensation claims may require the |
698 | employee to submit a similar statement from a local depository |
699 | established under s. 61.181. A sworn statement by the employee |
700 | that all existing support obligations have been disclosed is |
701 | also required. If the judge finds the proposed allocation of |
702 | support recovery insufficient, the parties may amend the |
703 | allocation of support recovery within the settlement agreement |
704 | to make the allocation of proceeds sufficient. The Office of the |
705 | Judges of Compensation Claims shall adopt procedural rules to |
706 | implement this paragraph When reviewing and approving any lump- |
707 | sum settlement under s. 440.20(11)(a) and (b), a judge of |
708 | compensation claims must consider whether the settlement serves |
709 | the interests of the worker and the worker's family, including, |
710 | but not limited to, whether the settlement provides for |
711 | appropriate recovery of any child support arrearage. |
712 | Section 8. Effective January 1, 2006, paragraph (g) is |
713 | added to subsection (6) of section 61.14, Florida Statutes, to |
714 | read: |
715 | 61.14 Enforcement and modification of support, |
716 | maintenance, or alimony agreements or orders.-- |
717 | (6) |
718 | (g) The local depository shall send the department monthly |
719 | by electronic means a list of all Title IV-D and non-Title IV-D |
720 | cases in which a judgment by operation of law has been recorded |
721 | during the month for which the data is provided. At a minimum, |
722 | the depository shall provide the names of the obligor and |
723 | obligee, social security numbers of the obligor and obligee, if |
724 | available, and depository number. |
725 | Section 9. Effective January 1, 2006, paragraph (e) of |
726 | subsection (2) of section 61.1814, Florida Statutes, is amended |
727 | to read: |
728 | 61.1814 Child Support Enforcement Application and Program |
729 | Revenue Trust Fund.-- |
730 | (2) With the exception of fees required to be deposited in |
731 | the Clerk of the Court Child Support Enforcement Collection |
732 | System Trust Fund under s. 61.181(2)(b) and collections |
733 | determined to be undistributable or unidentifiable under s. |
734 | 409.2558, the fund shall be used for the deposit of Title IV-D |
735 | program income received by the department. Each type of program |
736 | income received shall be accounted for separately. Program |
737 | income received by the department includes, but is not limited |
738 | to: |
739 | (e) Fines imposed under ss. 409.256(7)(b), 409.2564(7),(8) |
740 | and 409.2578. |
741 | Section 10. Effective upon this act becoming a law, |
742 | paragraph (d) of subsection (3) and subsection (6) of section |
743 | 61.1824, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
744 | 61.1824 State Disbursement Unit.-- |
745 | (3) The State Disbursement Unit shall perform the |
746 | following functions: |
747 | (d) To the extent feasible, use automated procedures for |
748 | the collection and disbursement of support payments, including, |
749 | but not limited to, having procedures for: |
750 | 1. Receipt of payments from obligors, employers, other |
751 | states and jurisdictions, and other entities. |
752 | 2. Timely disbursement of payments to obligees, the |
753 | department, and other state Title IV-D agencies. |
754 | 3. Accurate identification of payment source and amount. |
755 | 4. Furnishing any parent, upon request, timely information |
756 | on the current status of support payments under an order |
757 | requiring payments to be made by or to the parent, except that |
758 | in cases described in paragraph (1)(b), prior to the date the |
759 | State Disbursement Unit becomes fully operational, the State |
760 | Disbursement Unit shall not be required to convert and maintain |
761 | in automated form records of payments kept pursuant to s. |
762 | 61.181. |
763 | 5. Electronic disbursement of support payments to |
764 | obligees. The State Disbursement Unit shall notify obligees of |
765 | electronic disbursement options and encourage their use through |
766 | promotional material. |
767 | (6) Effective October 1, 1999, or such earlier date as the |
768 | State Disbursement Unit becomes operational, all support |
769 | payments for cases to which the requirements of this section |
770 | apply shall be made payable to and delivered to the State |
771 | Disbursement Unit. Effective October 1, 2006, an employer who |
772 | employed 10 or more employees in any quarter during the |
773 | preceding state fiscal year or who was subject to and paid tax |
774 | to the department in an amount of $30,000 or more shall remit |
775 | support payments deducted pursuant to an income deduction order |
776 | or income deduction notice and provide associated case data to |
777 | the State Disbursement Unit by electronic means approved by the |
778 | department. The department shall adopt by rule standards for |
779 | electronic remittance and data transfer that to the extent |
780 | feasible are consistent with the department's rules for |
781 | electronic filing and remittance of taxes under ss. 213.755 and |
782 | 443.163. A waiver granted by the department from the requirement |
783 | to file and remit electronically under s. 213.755 or s. 443.163 |
784 | constitutes a waiver from the requirement under this subsection. |
785 | Notwithstanding any other statutory provision to the contrary, |
786 | funds received by the State Disbursement Unit shall be held, |
787 | administered, and disbursed by the State Disbursement Unit |
788 | pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. |
789 | Section 11. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section |
790 | 61.30, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (8) of said |
791 | section is reenacted, to read: |
792 | 61.30 Child support guidelines; retroactive child |
793 | support.-- |
794 | (1) |
795 | (c) For each support order reviewed by the department as |
796 | required by s. 409.2564(11)(12), if the amount of the child |
797 | support award under the order differs by at least 10 percent but |
798 | not less than $25 from the amount that would be awarded under s. |
799 | 61.30, the department shall seek to have the order modified and |
800 | any modification shall be made without a requirement for proof |
801 | or showing of a change in circumstances. |
802 | (8) Health insurance costs resulting from coverage ordered |
803 | pursuant to s. 61.13(1)(b), and any noncovered medical, dental, |
804 | and prescription medication expenses of the child, shall be |
805 | added to the basic obligation unless these expenses have been |
806 | ordered to be separately paid on a percentage basis. After the |
807 | health insurance costs are added to the basic obligation, any |
808 | moneys prepaid by the noncustodial parent for health-related |
809 | costs for the child or children of this action shall be deducted |
810 | from that noncustodial parent's child support obligation for |
811 | that child or those children. |
812 | Section 12. Effective January 1, 2006, paragraph (c) of |
813 | subsection (14) of section 120.80, Florida Statutes, is amended |
814 | to read: |
815 | 120.80 Exceptions and special requirements; agencies.-- |
816 | (14) DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.-- |
817 | (c) Proceedings to establish paternity or paternity and |
818 | child support; orders to appear for genetic testing; proceedings |
819 | for administrative support orders.--In proceedings to establish |
820 | paternity or paternity and child support pursuant to s. 409.256 |
821 | and proceedings for the establishment of administrative support |
822 | orders pursuant to s. 409.2563, final orders in cases referred |
823 | by the Department of Revenue to the Division of Administrative |
824 | Hearings shall be entered by the division's administrative law |
825 | judge and transmitted to the Department of Revenue for filing |
826 | and rendering. The Department of Revenue has the right to seek |
827 | judicial review under s. 120.68 of a final order entered by an |
828 | administrative law judge. The Department of Revenue or the |
829 | person ordered to appear for genetic testing may seek immediate |
830 | judicial review under s. 120.68 of an order issued by an |
831 | administrative law judge pursuant to s. 409.256(5)(b). Final |
832 | orders that adjudicate paternity or paternity and child support |
833 | pursuant to s. 409.256 and administrative support orders |
834 | rendered pursuant to s. 409.2563 may be enforced pursuant to s. |
835 | 120.69 or, alternatively, by any method prescribed by law for |
836 | the enforcement of judicial support orders, except contempt. |
837 | Hearings held by the Division of Administrative Hearings |
838 | pursuant to ss. 409.256 and s. 409.2563 shall be held in the |
839 | judicial circuit where the person receiving services under Title |
840 | IV-D resides or, if the person receiving services under Title |
841 | IV-D does not reside in this state, in the judicial circuit |
842 | where the respondent resides. If the department and the |
843 | respondent agree, the hearing may be held in another location. |
844 | If ordered by the administrative law judge, the hearing may be |
845 | conducted telephonically or by videoconference. |
846 | Section 13. Effective October 1, 2006, paragraph (c) of |
847 | subsection (14) of section 120.80, Florida Statutes, as amended |
848 | by this act, is amended to read: |
849 | 120.80 Exceptions and special requirements; agencies.-- |
850 | (14) DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.-- |
851 | (c) Proceedings to establish paternity or paternity and |
852 | child support; orders to appear for genetic testing; proceedings |
853 | for administrative support orders.--In proceedings to establish |
854 | paternity or paternity and child support pursuant to s. 409.256 |
855 | and proceedings for the establishment of administrative support |
856 | orders pursuant to s. 409.2563, final orders in cases referred |
857 | by the Department of Revenue to the Division of Administrative |
858 | Hearings shall be entered by the division's administrative law |
859 | judge and transmitted to the Department of Revenue for filing |
860 | and rendering. The Department of Revenue has the right to seek |
861 | judicial review under s. 120.68 of a final order entered by an |
862 | administrative law judge. The Department of Revenue or the |
863 | person ordered to appear for genetic testing may seek immediate |
864 | judicial review under s. 120.68 of an order issued by an |
865 | administrative law judge pursuant to s. 409.256(5)(b). Final |
866 | orders that adjudicate paternity or paternity and child support |
867 | pursuant to s. 409.256 and administrative support orders |
868 | rendered pursuant to s. 409.2563 may be enforced pursuant to s. |
869 | 120.69 or, alternatively, by any method prescribed by law for |
870 | the enforcement of judicial support orders, except contempt. |
871 | Hearings held by the Division of Administrative Hearings |
872 | pursuant to ss. 409.256, and 409.2563, and 409.25635 shall be |
873 | held in the judicial circuit where the person receiving services |
874 | under Title IV-D resides or, if the person receiving services |
875 | under Title IV-D does not reside in this state, in the judicial |
876 | circuit where the respondent resides. If the department and the |
877 | respondent agree, the hearing may be held in another location. |
878 | If ordered by the administrative law judge, the hearing may be |
879 | conducted telephonically or by videoconference. |
880 | Section 14. Effective December 1, 2005, subsection (4) of |
881 | section 322.142, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
882 | 322.142 Color photographic or digital imaged licenses.-- |
883 | (4) The department may maintain a film negative or print |
884 | file. The department shall maintain a record of the digital |
885 | image and signature of the licensees, together with other data |
886 | required by the department for identification and retrieval. |
887 | Reproductions from the file or digital record shall be made and |
888 | issued only for departmental administrative purposes; for the |
889 | issuance of duplicate licenses; in response to law enforcement |
890 | agency requests; to the Department of Revenue pursuant to an |
891 | interagency agreement for use in establishing paternity and |
892 | establishing, modifying, or enforcing support obligations to |
893 | facilitate service of process in Title IV-D cases; or to the |
894 | Department of Financial Services pursuant to an interagency |
895 | agreement to facilitate the location of owners of unclaimed |
896 | property, the validation of unclaimed property claims, and the |
897 | identification of fraudulent or false claims, and are exempt |
898 | from the provisions of s. 119.07(1). |
899 | Section 15. Effective January 1, 2006, paragraph (e) of |
900 | subsection (2) of section 382.013, Florida Statutes, is |
901 | redesignated as paragraph (f) and a new paragraph (e) is added |
902 | to said subsection to read: |
903 | 382.013 Birth registration.--A certificate for each live |
904 | birth that occurs in this state shall be filed within 5 days |
905 | after such birth with the local registrar of the district in |
906 | which the birth occurred and shall be registered by the local |
907 | registrar if the certificate has been completed and filed in |
908 | accordance with this chapter and adopted rules. The information |
909 | regarding registered births shall be used for comparison with |
910 | information in the state case registry, as defined in chapter |
911 | 61. |
912 | (2) PATERNITY.-- |
913 | (e) If the paternity of the child is determined pursuant |
914 | to s. 409.256, the name of the father and the surname of the |
915 | child shall be entered on the certificate in accordance with the |
916 | finding and order of the Department of Revenue. |
917 | Section 16. Effective December 1, 2005, section 382.015, |
918 | Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
919 | 382.015 New certificates of live birth; duty of clerks of |
920 | court and department.--The clerk of the court in which any |
921 | proceeding for adoption, annulment of an adoption, affirmation |
922 | of parental status, or determination of paternity is to be |
923 | registered, shall within 30 days after the final disposition, |
924 | forward to the department a certified copy of the court order, |
925 | or a report of the proceedings upon a form to be furnished by |
926 | the department, together with sufficient information to identify |
927 | the original birth certificate and to enable the preparation of |
928 | a new birth certificate. The clerk of the court shall implement |
929 | a monitoring and quality control plan to ensure that all |
930 | judicial determinations of paternity are reported to the |
931 | department in compliance with this section. The department shall |
932 | track paternity determinations reported monthly by county, |
933 | monitor compliance with the 30-day timeframe, and report the |
934 | data to the clerks of the court quarterly. |
935 | (1) ADOPTION AND ANNULMENT OF ADOPTION.-- |
936 | (a) Upon receipt of the report or certified copy of an |
937 | adoption decree, together with the information necessary to |
938 | identify the original certificate of live birth, and establish a |
939 | new certificate, the department shall prepare and file a new |
940 | birth certificate, absent objection by the court decreeing the |
941 | adoption, the adoptive parents, or the adoptee if of legal age. |
942 | The certificate shall bear the same file number as the original |
943 | birth certificate. All names and identifying information |
944 | relating to the adoptive parents entered on the new certificate |
945 | shall refer to the adoptive parents, but nothing in the |
946 | certificate shall refer to or designate the parents as being |
947 | adoptive. All other items not affected by adoption shall be |
948 | copied as on the original certificate, including the date of |
949 | registration and filing. |
950 | (b) Upon receipt of the report or certified copy of an |
951 | annulment-of-adoption decree, together with the sufficient |
952 | information to identify the original certificate of live birth, |
953 | the department shall, if a new certificate of birth was filed |
954 | following an adoption report or decree, remove the new |
955 | certificate and restore the original certificate to its original |
956 | place in the files, and the certificate so removed shall be |
957 | sealed by the department. |
958 | (c) Upon receipt of a report or certified copy of an |
959 | adoption decree or annulment-of-adoption decree for a person |
960 | born in another state, the department shall forward the report |
961 | or decree to the state of the registrant's birth. If the adoptee |
962 | was born in Canada, the department shall send a copy of the |
963 | report or decree to the appropriate birth registration authority |
964 | in Canada. |
965 | (2) DETERMINATION OF PATERNITY.--Upon receipt of the |
966 | report or a certified copy of a final decree of determination of |
967 | paternity, together with sufficient information to identify the |
968 | original certificate of live birth, the department shall prepare |
969 | and file a new birth certificate which shall bear the same file |
970 | number as the original birth certificate. The registrant's name |
971 | shall be entered as decreed by the court. The names and |
972 | identifying information of the parents shall be entered as of |
973 | the date of the registrant's birth. |
974 | (3) AFFIRMATION OF PARENTAL STATUS.--Upon receipt of an |
975 | order of affirmation of parental status issued pursuant to s. |
976 | 742.16, together with sufficient information to identify the |
977 | original certificate of live birth, the department shall prepare |
978 | and file a new birth certificate which shall bear the same file |
979 | number as the original birth certificate. The names and |
980 | identifying information of the registrant's parents entered on |
981 | the new certificate shall be the commissioning couple, but the |
982 | new certificate may not make reference to or designate the |
983 | parents as the commissioning couple. |
984 | (4) SUBSTITUTION OF NEW CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH FOR |
985 | ORIGINAL.--When a new certificate of birth is prepared, the |
986 | department shall substitute the new certificate of birth for the |
987 | original certificate on file. All copies of the original |
988 | certificate of live birth in the custody of a local registrar or |
989 | other state custodian of vital records shall be forwarded to the |
990 | State Registrar. Thereafter, when a certified copy of the |
991 | certificate of birth or portion thereof is issued, it shall be a |
992 | copy of the new certificate of birth or portion thereof, except |
993 | when a court order requires issuance of a certified copy of the |
994 | original certificate of birth. In an adoption, change in |
995 | paternity, affirmation of parental status, undetermined |
996 | parentage, or court-ordered substitution, the department shall |
997 | place the original certificate of birth and all papers |
998 | pertaining thereto under seal, not to be broken except by order |
999 | of a court of competent jurisdiction or as otherwise provided by |
1000 | law. |
1001 | (5) FORM.--Except for certificates of foreign birth which |
1002 | are registered as provided in s. 382.017, and delayed |
1003 | certificates of birth which are registered as provided in ss. |
1004 | 382.019 and 382.0195, all original, new, or amended certificates |
1005 | of live birth shall be identical in form, regardless of the |
1006 | marital status of the parents or the fact that the registrant is |
1007 | adopted or of undetermined parentage. |
1008 | (6) RULES.--The department shall adopt and enforce all |
1009 | rules necessary for carrying out the provisions of this section. |
1010 | Section 17. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section |
1011 | 382.016, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
1012 | 382.016 Amendment of records.--The department, upon |
1013 | receipt of the fee prescribed in s. 382.0255; documentary |
1014 | evidence, as specified by rule, of any misstatement, error, or |
1015 | omission occurring in any birth, death, or fetal death record; |
1016 | and an affidavit setting forth the changes to be made, shall |
1017 | amend or replace the original certificate as necessary. |
1018 | (1) CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH AMENDMENT.-- |
1019 | (b) Upon written request and receipt of an affidavit, a |
1020 | notarized voluntary acknowledgment of paternity signed by the |
1021 | mother and father acknowledging the paternity of a registrant |
1022 | born out of wedlock, or a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity |
1023 | that is witnessed by two individuals and signed under penalty of |
1024 | perjury as specified by s. 92.525(2), together with sufficient |
1025 | information to identify the original certificate of live birth, |
1026 | the department shall prepare a new birth certificate, which |
1027 | shall bear the same file number as the original birth |
1028 | certificate. The names and identifying information of the |
1029 | parents shall be entered as of the date of the registrant's |
1030 | birth. The surname of the registrant may be changed from that |
1031 | shown on the original birth certificate at the request of the |
1032 | mother and father of the registrant, or the registrant if of |
1033 | legal age. If the mother and father marry each other at any time |
1034 | after the registrant's birth, the department shall, upon the |
1035 | request of the mother and father or registrant if of legal age |
1036 | and proof of the marriage, amend the certificate with regard to |
1037 | the parents' marital status as though the parents were married |
1038 | at the time of birth. The department shall substitute the new |
1039 | certificate of birth for the original certificate on file. All |
1040 | copies of the original certificate of live birth in the custody |
1041 | of a local registrar or other state custodian of vital records |
1042 | shall be forwarded to the State Registrar. Thereafter, when a |
1043 | certified copy of the certificate of birth or portion thereof is |
1044 | issued, it shall be a copy of the new certificate of birth or |
1045 | portion thereof, except when a court order requires issuance of |
1046 | a certified copy of the original certificate of birth. Except |
1047 | for a birth certificate on which a father is listed pursuant to |
1048 | an affidavit or notarized voluntary acknowledgment of paternity |
1049 | signed by the mother and the father or a voluntary |
1050 | acknowledgment of paternity that is witnessed by two individuals |
1051 | and signed under penalty of perjury as specified by s. |
1052 | 92.525(2), the department shall place the original certificate |
1053 | of birth and all papers pertaining thereto under seal, not to be |
1054 | broken except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction or |
1055 | as otherwise provided by law. |
1056 | Section 18. Effective October 1, 2005, paragraph (d) is |
1057 | added to subsection (1) of section 382.016, Florida Statutes, to |
1058 | read: |
1059 | 382.016 Amendment of records.--The department, upon |
1060 | receipt of the fee prescribed in s. 382.0255; documentary |
1061 | evidence, as specified by rule, of any misstatement, error, or |
1062 | omission occurring in any birth, death, or fetal death record; |
1063 | and an affidavit setting forth the changes to be made, shall |
1064 | amend or replace the original certificate as necessary. |
1065 | (1) CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH AMENDMENT.-- |
1066 | (d) For a child born in this state whose paternity is |
1067 | established in another state, the department shall amend the |
1068 | child's birth certificate to include the name of the father upon |
1069 | receipt of: |
1070 | 1. A certified copy of an acknowledgment of paternity, |
1071 | final judgment, or judicial or administrative order from another |
1072 | state that determines the child's paternity; or |
1073 | 2. A noncertified copy of an acknowledgment of paternity, |
1074 | final judgment, or judicial or administrative order from another |
1075 | state that determines the child's paternity when provided with |
1076 | an affidavit or written declaration from the Department of |
1077 | Revenue that states the document was provided by or obtained |
1078 | from another state's Title IV-D program. |
1079 |
|
1080 | The department may not amend a child's birth certificate to |
1081 | include the name of the child's father if paternity was |
1082 | established by adoption and the father would not be eligible to |
1083 | adopt under the laws of this state. |
1084 | Section 19. Effective December 1, 2005, paragraph (e) is |
1085 | added to subsection (1) of section 382.016, Florida Statutes, as |
1086 | amended by this act, to read: |
1087 | 382.016 Amendment of records.--The department, upon |
1088 | receipt of the fee prescribed in s. 382.0255; documentary |
1089 | evidence, as specified by rule, of any misstatement, error, or |
1090 | omission occurring in any birth, death, or fetal death record; |
1091 | and an affidavit setting forth the changes to be made, shall |
1092 | amend or replace the original certificate as necessary. |
1093 | (1) CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH AMENDMENT.-- |
1094 | (e) The Department of Revenue shall develop written |
1095 | educational materials for use and distribution by the Department |
1096 | of Children and Family Services, Department of Corrections, |
1097 | Department of Education, Department of Health, and Department of |
1098 | Juvenile Justice that describe how paternity is established and |
1099 | the benefits of establishing paternity. The Department of |
1100 | Children and Family Services, Department of Corrections, |
1101 | Department of Education, Department of Health, and Department of |
1102 | Juvenile Justice shall make the materials available to |
1103 | individuals to whom services are provided and are encouraged to |
1104 | provide additional education on how paternity is established and |
1105 | the benefits of establishing paternity. |
1106 | Section 20. Section 382.357, Florida Statutes, is created |
1107 | to read: |
1108 | 382.357 Electronic filing of birth certificate |
1109 | information.--The Department of Health, Department of Revenue, |
1110 | Florida Hospital Association, Florida Association of Court |
1111 | Clerks, and one or more local registrars shall study the |
1112 | feasibility of electronically filing original and new or amended |
1113 | birth certificates, documentation of paternity determinations, |
1114 | and adoptions with the department. The Department of Health |
1115 | shall submit a report to the Governor, Cabinet, President of the |
1116 | Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives by July 1, |
1117 | 2006. The report shall include the estimated cost to develop and |
1118 | implement electronic filing, cost savings resulting from |
1119 | electronic filing, and potential funding sources for electronic |
1120 | filing. |
1121 | Section 21. Effective July 1, 2007, paragraph (c) is added |
1122 | to subsection (5) of section 395.003, Florida Statutes, to read: |
1123 | 395.003 Licensure; issuance, renewal, denial, |
1124 | modification, suspension, and revocation.-- |
1125 | (5) |
1126 | (c) A hospital that provides birthing services shall |
1127 | affirm in writing as part of the application for a new, |
1128 | provisional, or renewal license that the hospital shall comply |
1129 | with s. 382.013(2)(c), which includes assisting unmarried |
1130 | parents who request assistance in executing a voluntary |
1131 | acknowledgment of paternity. No fine or other sanction under s. |
1132 | 395.1065 may be imposed on a hospital for noncompliance with s. |
1133 | 382.013(2)(c). |
1134 | Section 22. Effective January 1, 2006, paragraph (p) of |
1135 | subsection (3) of section 409.2557, Florida Statutes, is amended |
1136 | to read: |
1137 | 409.2557 State agency for administering child support |
1138 | enforcement program.-- |
1139 | (3) SPECIFIC RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.--The department has the |
1140 | authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 |
1141 | to implement all laws administered by the department in its |
1142 | capacity as the Title IV-D agency for this state including, but |
1143 | not limited to, the following: |
1144 | (p) Administrative proceedings to establish paternity or |
1145 | establish paternity and child support, orders to appear for |
1146 | genetic testing, and administrative proceedings to establish |
1147 | child support obligations; and |
1148 | Section 23. Effective October 1, 2005, paragraph (a) of |
1149 | subsection (2) of section 409.2558, Florida Statutes, is amended |
1150 | to read: |
1151 | 409.2558 Support distribution and disbursement.-- |
1152 | (2) UNDISTRIBUTABLE COLLECTIONS.-- |
1153 | (a) The department shall establish by rule the method for |
1154 | determining a collection or refund to a noncustodial parent to |
1155 | be undistributable to the final intended recipient. Before |
1156 | determining a collection or refund to be undistributable, the |
1157 | department shall make reasonable efforts to locate persons to |
1158 | whom collections or refunds are owed so that payment can be |
1159 | made. Location efforts may include disclosure through a |
1160 | searchable database of the names of obligees, obligors, and |
1161 | depository account numbers on the Internet in compliance with |
1162 | the requirements of s. 119.01(2)(a). |
1163 | Section 24. Effective January 1, 2006, section 409.256, |
1164 | Florida Statutes, is created to read: |
1165 | 409.256 Administrative proceeding to establish paternity |
1166 | or paternity and child support; order to appear for genetic |
1167 | testing.-- |
1168 | (1) DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term: |
1169 | (a) "Another state" or "other state" means a state of the |
1170 | United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United |
1171 | States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession |
1172 | subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The term |
1173 | includes: |
1174 | 1. An Indian tribe. |
1175 | 2. A foreign jurisdiction that has enacted a law or |
1176 | established procedures for issuance and enforcement of support |
1177 | orders which are substantially similar to the procedures under |
1178 | this act, the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, or |
1179 | the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, as |
1180 | determined by the Attorney General. |
1181 | (b) "Custodian" means a person, other than the mother or a |
1182 | putative father, who has physical custody of a child or with |
1183 | whom the child primarily resides. References in this section to |
1184 | the obligation of a custodian to submit to genetic testing mean |
1185 | that the custodian is obligated to submit the child for genetic |
1186 | testing, not that the custodian must submit to genetic testing. |
1187 | (c) "Filed" means a document has been received and |
1188 | accepted for filing at the offices of the Department of Revenue |
1189 | by the clerk or an authorized deputy clerk designated by the |
1190 | department. |
1191 | (d) "Genetic testing" means a scientific analysis of |
1192 | genetic markers that is performed by a qualified technical |
1193 | laboratory only to exclude an individual as the parent of a |
1194 | child or to show a probability of paternity. |
1195 | (e) "Paternity and child support proceeding" means an |
1196 | administrative action commenced by the Department of Revenue to |
1197 | order genetic testing, establish paternity, and establish an |
1198 | administrative support order pursuant to this section. |
1199 | (f) "Paternity proceeding" means an administrative action |
1200 | commenced by the Department of Revenue to order genetic testing |
1201 | and establish paternity pursuant to this section. |
1202 | (g) "Putative father" means an individual who is or may be |
1203 | the biological father of a child whose paternity has not been |
1204 | established and whose mother was unmarried when the child was |
1205 | conceived and born. |
1206 | (h) "Qualified technical laboratory" means a genetic- |
1207 | testing laboratory that may be under contract with the |
1208 | Department of Revenue, that uses tests and methods of a type |
1209 | generally acknowledged as reliable by accreditation |
1210 | organizations recognized by the United States Department of |
1211 | Health and Human Services, and that is approved by such an |
1212 | accreditation organization. The term includes a genetic-testing |
1213 | laboratory used by another state, if the laboratory has |
1214 | comparable qualifications. |
1215 | (i) "Rendered" means that a signed written order is filed |
1216 | with the clerk or a deputy clerk of the Department of Revenue |
1217 | and served on the respondent. The date of filing must be |
1218 | indicated on the face of the order at the time of rendition. |
1219 | (j) "Respondent" means the person or persons served by the |
1220 | Department of Revenue with a notice of proceeding pursuant to |
1221 | subsection (4). The term includes the putative father and may |
1222 | include the mother or the custodian of the child. |
1223 | (k) "This state" or "the state" means the State of |
1224 | Florida. |
1225 | (2) JURISDICTION; LOCATION OF HEARINGS; RIGHT OF ACCESS TO |
1226 | THE COURTS.-- |
1227 | (a) The Department of Revenue may commence a paternity |
1228 | proceeding or a paternity and child support proceeding as |
1229 | provided in subsection (4) if: |
1230 | 1. The child's paternity has not been established. |
1231 | 2. No one is named as the father on the child's birth |
1232 | certificate or the person named as the father is the putative |
1233 | father named in an affidavit or a written declaration as |
1234 | provided in subparagraph 5. |
1235 | 3. The child's mother was unmarried when the child was |
1236 | conceived and born. |
1237 | 4. The Department of Revenue is providing services under |
1238 | Title IV-D. |
1239 | 5. The child's mother or a putative father has stated in |
1240 | an affidavit, or in a written declaration as provided in s. |
1241 | 92.525(2) that the putative father is or may be the child's |
1242 | biological father. The affidavit or written declaration must set |
1243 | forth the factual basis for the allegation of paternity as |
1244 | provided in s. 742.12(2). |
1245 | (b) If the Department of Revenue receives a request from |
1246 | another state to assist in the establishment of paternity, the |
1247 | department may serve an order to appear for genetic testing on a |
1248 | person who resides in this state and transmit the test results |
1249 | to the other state without commencing a paternity proceeding in |
1250 | this state. |
1251 | (c) The Department of Revenue may use the procedures |
1252 | authorized by this section against a nonresident over whom this |
1253 | state may assert personal jurisdiction under chapter 48 or |
1254 | chapter 88. |
1255 | (d) If a putative father, mother, or custodian in a Title |
1256 | IV-D case voluntarily submits to genetic testing, the Department |
1257 | of Revenue may schedule that individual or the child for genetic |
1258 | testing without serving that individual with an order to appear |
1259 | for genetic testing. A respondent or other person who is subject |
1260 | to an order to appear for genetic testing may waive, in writing |
1261 | or on the record at an administrative hearing, formal service of |
1262 | notices or orders or waive any other rights or time periods |
1263 | prescribed by this section. |
1264 | (e) Whenever practicable, hearings held by the Division of |
1265 | Administrative Hearings pursuant to this section shall be held |
1266 | in the judicial circuit where the person receiving services |
1267 | under Title IV-D resides or, if the person receiving services |
1268 | under Title IV-D does not reside in this state, in the judicial |
1269 | circuit where the respondent resides. If the Department of |
1270 | Revenue and the respondent agree, the hearing may be held in |
1271 | another location. If ordered by the administrative law judge, |
1272 | the hearing may be conducted telephonically or by |
1273 | videoconference. |
1274 | (f) The Legislature does not intend to limit the |
1275 | jurisdiction of the circuit courts to hear and determine issues |
1276 | regarding establishment of paternity. This section is intended |
1277 | to provide the Department of Revenue with an alternative |
1278 | procedure for establishing paternity and child support |
1279 | obligations in Title IV-D cases. This section does not prohibit |
1280 | a person who has standing from filing a civil action in circuit |
1281 | court for a determination of paternity or of child support |
1282 | obligations. |
1283 | (g) Section 409.2563(2)(e), (f), and (g) apply to a |
1284 | proceeding under this section. |
1285 | (3) MULTIPLE PUTATIVE FATHERS; MULTIPLE CHILDREN.--If more |
1286 | than one putative father has been named, the Department of |
1287 | Revenue may proceed under this section against a single putative |
1288 | father or may proceed simultaneously against more than one |
1289 | putative father. If a putative father has been named as a |
1290 | possible father of more than one child born to the same mother, |
1291 | the department may proceed to establish the paternity of each |
1292 | child in the same proceeding. |
1293 | (4) NOTICE OF PROCEEDING TO ESTABLISH PATERNITY OR |
1294 | PATERNITY AND CHILD SUPPORT; ORDER TO APPEAR FOR GENETIC |
1295 | TESTING; MANNER OF SERVICE; CONTENTS.--The Department of Revenue |
1296 | shall commence a proceeding to determine paternity, or a |
1297 | proceeding to determine both paternity and child support, by |
1298 | serving the respondent with a notice as provided in this |
1299 | section. An order to appear for genetic testing may be served at |
1300 | the same time as a notice of the proceeding or may be served |
1301 | separately. A copy of the affidavit or written declaration upon |
1302 | which the proceeding is based shall be provided to the |
1303 | respondent when notice is served. A notice or order to appear |
1304 | for genetic testing shall be served by certified mail, |
1305 | restricted delivery, return receipt requested, or in accordance |
1306 | with the requirements for service of process in a civil action. |
1307 | Service by certified mail is completed when the certified mail |
1308 | is received or refused by the addressee or by an authorized |
1309 | agent as designated by the addressee in writing. If a person |
1310 | other than the addressee signs the return receipt, the |
1311 | department shall attempt to reach the addressee by telephone to |
1312 | confirm whether the notice was received, and the department |
1313 | shall document any telephonic communications. If someone other |
1314 | than the addressee signs the return receipt, the addressee does |
1315 | not respond to the notice, and the department is unable to |
1316 | confirm that the addressee has received the notice, service is |
1317 | not completed and the department shall attempt to have the |
1318 | addressee served personally. For purposes of this section, an |
1319 | employee or an authorized agent of the department may serve the |
1320 | notice or order to appear for genetic testing and execute an |
1321 | affidavit of service. The department may serve an order to |
1322 | appear for genetic testing on a custodian. The department shall |
1323 | provide a copy of the notice or order to appear by regular mail |
1324 | to the mother and custodian, if they are not respondents. |
1325 | (a) A notice of proceeding to establish paternity must |
1326 | state: |
1327 | 1. That the department has commenced an administrative |
1328 | proceeding to establish whether the putative father is the |
1329 | biological father of the child named in the notice. |
1330 | 2. The name and date of birth of the child and the name of |
1331 | the child's mother. |
1332 | 3. That the putative father has been named in an affidavit |
1333 | or written declaration that states the putative father is or may |
1334 | be the child's biological father. |
1335 | 4. That the respondent is required to submit to genetic |
1336 | testing. |
1337 | 5. That genetic testing will establish either a high |
1338 | degree of probability that the putative father is the biological |
1339 | father of the child or that the putative father cannot be the |
1340 | biological father of the child. |
1341 | 6. That if the results of the genetic test do not indicate |
1342 | a statistical probability of paternity that equals or exceeds 99 |
1343 | percent, the paternity proceeding in connection with that child |
1344 | shall cease unless a second or subsequent test is required. |
1345 | 7. That if the results of the genetic test indicate a |
1346 | statistical probability of paternity that equals or exceeds 99 |
1347 | percent, the department may: |
1348 | a. Issue a proposed order of paternity that the respondent |
1349 | may consent to or contest at an administrative hearing; or |
1350 | b. Commence a proceeding, as provided in s. 409.2563, to |
1351 | establish an administrative support order for the child. Notice |
1352 | of the proceeding shall be provided to the respondent by regular |
1353 | mail. |
1354 | 8. That, if the genetic test results indicate a |
1355 | statistical probability of paternity that equals or exceeds 99 |
1356 | percent and a proceeding to establish an administrative support |
1357 | order is commenced, the department shall issue a proposed order |
1358 | that addresses paternity and child support. The respondent may |
1359 | consent to or contest the proposed order at an administrative |
1360 | hearing. |
1361 | 9. That if a proposed order of paternity or proposed order |
1362 | of both paternity and child support is not contested, the |
1363 | department shall adopt the proposed order and render a final |
1364 | order that establishes paternity and, if appropriate, an |
1365 | administrative support order for the child. |
1366 | 10. That, until the proceeding is ended, the respondent |
1367 | shall notify the department in writing of any change in the |
1368 | respondent's mailing address and that the respondent shall be |
1369 | deemed to have received any subsequent order, notice, or other |
1370 | paper mailed to the most recent address provided or, if a more |
1371 | recent address is not provided, to the address at which the |
1372 | respondent was served, and that this requirement continues if |
1373 | the department renders a final order that establishes paternity |
1374 | and a support order for the child. |
1375 | 11. That the respondent may file an action in circuit |
1376 | court for a determination of paternity, child support |
1377 | obligations, or both. |
1378 | 12. That if the respondent files an action in circuit |
1379 | court and serves the department with a copy of the petition or |
1380 | complaint within 20 days after being served notice under this |
1381 | subsection, the administrative process ends without prejudice |
1382 | and the action must proceed in circuit court. |
1383 | 13. That, if paternity is established, the putative father |
1384 | may file a petition in circuit court for a determination of |
1385 | matters relating to custody and rights of parental contact. |
1386 |
|
1387 | A notice under this paragraph must also notify the respondent of |
1388 | the provisions in s. 409.2563(4)(m) and (o). |
1389 | (b) A notice of proceeding to establish paternity and |
1390 | child support must state the requirements of paragraph (a), |
1391 | except for subparagraph (a)7., and must state the requirements |
1392 | of s. 409.2563(4), to the extent that the requirements of s. |
1393 | 409.2563(4) are not already required by and do not conflict with |
1394 | this subsection. This section and s. 409.2563 apply to a |
1395 | proceeding commenced under this subsection. |
1396 | (c) The order to appear for genetic testing shall inform |
1397 | the person ordered to appear: |
1398 | 1. That the department has commenced an administrative |
1399 | proceeding to establish whether the putative father is the |
1400 | biological father of the child. |
1401 | 2. The name and date of birth of the child and the name of |
1402 | the child's mother. |
1403 | 3. That the putative father has been named in an affidavit |
1404 | or written declaration that states the putative father is or may |
1405 | be the child's biological father. |
1406 | 4. The date, time, and place that the person ordered to |
1407 | appear must appear to provide a sample for genetic testing. |
1408 | 5. That if the person has custody of the child whose |
1409 | paternity is the subject of the proceeding, the person must |
1410 | submit the child for genetic testing. |
1411 | 6. That when the samples are provided, the person ordered |
1412 | to appear shall verify his or her identity and the identity of |
1413 | the child, if applicable, by presenting a form of identification |
1414 | as prescribed by s. 117.05(5)(b)2. that bears the photograph of |
1415 | the person who is providing the sample or other form of |
1416 | verification approved by the department. |
1417 | 7. That if the person ordered to appear submits to genetic |
1418 | testing, the department shall pay the cost of the genetic |
1419 | testing and shall provide the person ordered to appear with a |
1420 | copy of any test results obtained. |
1421 | 8. That if the person ordered to appear does not appear as |
1422 | ordered or refuses to submit to genetic testing without good |
1423 | cause, the department may take one or more of the following |
1424 | actions: |
1425 | a. Commence proceedings to suspend the driver's license |
1426 | and motor vehicle registration of the person ordered to appear, |
1427 | as provided in s. 61.13016; |
1428 | b. Impose an administrative fine against the person |
1429 | ordered to appear in the amount of $500; or |
1430 | c. File a petition in circuit court to establish paternity |
1431 | and obtain a support order for the child and an order for costs |
1432 | against the person ordered to appear, including costs for |
1433 | genetic testing. |
1434 | 9. That the person ordered to appear may contest the order |
1435 | by filing a written request for informal review within 15 days |
1436 | after the date of service of the order, with further rights to |
1437 | an administrative hearing following the informal review. |
1438 | (5) RIGHT TO CONTEST ORDER TO APPEAR FOR GENETIC |
1439 | TESTING.-- |
1440 | (a) The person ordered to appear may contest an order to |
1441 | appear for genetic testing by filing a written request for |
1442 | informal review with the Department of Revenue within 15 days |
1443 | after the date of service of the order. The purpose of the |
1444 | informal review is to provide the person ordered to appear with |
1445 | an opportunity to discuss the proceedings and the basis of the |
1446 | order. At the conclusion of the informal review, the department |
1447 | shall notify the person ordered to appear, in writing, whether |
1448 | it intends to proceed with the order to appear. If the |
1449 | department notifies the person ordered to appear of its intent |
1450 | to proceed, the notice must inform the person ordered to appear |
1451 | of the right to contest the order at an administrative hearing. |
1452 | (b) Following an informal review, within 15 days after the |
1453 | mailing date of the Department of Revenue's notification that |
1454 | the department shall proceed with an order to appear for genetic |
1455 | testing, the person ordered to appear may file a request for an |
1456 | administrative hearing to contest whether the person should be |
1457 | required to submit to genetic testing. A request for an |
1458 | administrative hearing must state the specific reasons why the |
1459 | person ordered to appear believes he or she should not be |
1460 | required to submit to genetic testing as ordered. If the person |
1461 | ordered to appear files a timely request for a hearing, the |
1462 | department shall refer the hearing request to the Division of |
1463 | Administrative Hearings. Unless otherwise provided in this |
1464 | section, administrative hearings are governed by chapter 120 and |
1465 | the uniform rules of procedure. The administrative law judge |
1466 | assigned to the case shall issue an order as to whether the |
1467 | person must submit to genetic testing in accordance with the |
1468 | order to appear. The department or the person ordered to appear |
1469 | may seek immediate judicial review under s. 120.68 of an order |
1470 | issued by an administrative law judge pursuant to this |
1471 | paragraph. |
1472 | (c) If a timely request for an informal review or an |
1473 | administrative hearing is filed, the department may not proceed |
1474 | under the order to appear for genetic testing and may not impose |
1475 | sanctions for failure or refusal to submit to genetic testing |
1476 | until: |
1477 | 1. The department has notified the person of its intent to |
1478 | proceed after informal review, and a timely request for hearing |
1479 | is not filed; |
1480 | 2. The person ordered to appear withdraws the request for |
1481 | hearing or informal review; or |
1482 | 3. The Division of Administrative Hearings issues an order |
1483 | that the person must submit to genetic testing, or issues an |
1484 | order closing the division's file, and that an order has become |
1485 | final. |
1486 | (d) If a request for an informal review or administrative |
1487 | hearing is not timely filed, the person ordered to appear is |
1488 | deemed to have waived the right to a hearing and the department |
1489 | may proceed under the order to appear for genetic testing. |
1490 | (6) SCHEDULING OF GENETIC TESTING.-- |
1491 | (a) The Department of Revenue shall notify, in writing, |
1492 | the person ordered to appear of the date, time, and location of |
1493 | the appointment for genetic testing and of the requirement to |
1494 | verify his or her identity and the identity of the child, if |
1495 | applicable, when the samples are provided by presenting a form |
1496 | of identification as prescribed in s. 117.05(5)(b)2. that bears |
1497 | the photograph of the person who is providing the sample or |
1498 | other form of verification approved by the department. If the |
1499 | person ordered to appear is the putative father or the mother, |
1500 | that person shall appear and submit to genetic testing. If the |
1501 | person ordered to appear is a custodian, or if the putative |
1502 | father or the mother has custody of the child, that person must |
1503 | submit the child for genetic testing. |
1504 | (b) The department shall reschedule genetic testing: |
1505 | 1. One time without cause if, in advance of the initial |
1506 | test date, the person ordered to appear requests the department |
1507 | to reschedule the test. |
1508 | 2. One time if the person ordered to appear shows good |
1509 | cause for failure to appear for a scheduled test. |
1510 | 3. One time upon request of a person ordered to appear |
1511 | against whom sanctions have been imposed as provided in |
1512 | subsection (7). |
1513 |
|
1514 | A claim of good cause for failure to appear shall be filed with |
1515 | the department within 10 days after the scheduled test date and |
1516 | must state the facts and circumstances supporting the claim. The |
1517 | department shall notify the person ordered to appear, in |
1518 | writing, whether it accepts or rejects the person's claim of |
1519 | good cause. There is not a separate right to a hearing on the |
1520 | department's decision to accept or reject the claim of good |
1521 | cause because the person ordered to appear may raise good cause |
1522 | as a defense to any proceeding initiated by the department under |
1523 | subsection (7). |
1524 | (c) A person ordered to appear may obtain a second genetic |
1525 | test by filing a written request for a second test with the |
1526 | department within 15 days after the date of mailing of the |
1527 | initial genetic testing results and by paying the department in |
1528 | advance for the full cost of the second test. |
1529 | (d) The department may schedule and require a subsequent |
1530 | genetic test if it has reason to believe the results of the |
1531 | preceding genetic test may not be reliable. |
1532 | (e) Except as provided in paragraph (c) and subsection |
1533 | (7), the department shall pay for the cost of genetic testing |
1534 | ordered under this section. |
1535 | (7) FAILURE OR REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO GENETIC TESTING.--If a |
1536 | person who is served with an order to appear for genetic testing |
1537 | fails to appear without good cause or refuses to submit to |
1538 | testing without good cause, the department may take one or more |
1539 | of the following actions: |
1540 | (a) Commence a proceeding to suspend the driver's license |
1541 | and motor vehicle registration of the person ordered to appear, |
1542 | as provided in s. 61.13016; |
1543 | (b) Impose an administrative fine against the person |
1544 | ordered to appear in the amount of $500; or |
1545 | (c) File a petition in circuit court to establish |
1546 | paternity, obtain a support order for the child, and seek |
1547 | reimbursement from the person ordered to appear for the full |
1548 | cost of genetic testing incurred by the department. |
1549 |
|
1550 | As provided in s. 322.058(2), a suspended driver's license and |
1551 | motor vehicle registration may be reinstated when the person |
1552 | ordered to appear complies with the order to appear for genetic |
1553 | testing. The department may collect an administrative fine |
1554 | imposed under this subsection by using civil remedies or other |
1555 | statutory means available to the department for collecting |
1556 | support. |
1557 | (8) GENETIC-TESTING RESULTS.--The department shall send a |
1558 | copy of the genetic-testing results to the putative father, to |
1559 | the mother, to the custodian, and to the other state, if |
1560 | applicable. If the genetic-testing results, including second or |
1561 | subsequent genetic-testing results, do not indicate a |
1562 | statistical probability of paternity that equals or exceeds 99 |
1563 | percent, the paternity proceeding in connection with that child |
1564 | shall cease. |
1565 | (9) PROPOSED ORDER OF PATERNITY; COMMENCEMENT OF |
1566 | PROCEEDING TO ESTABLISH ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT ORDER; PROPOSED |
1567 | ORDER OF PATERNITY AND CHILD SUPPORT.-- |
1568 | (a) If a paternity proceeding has been commenced under |
1569 | this section and the results of genetic testing indicate a |
1570 | statistical probability of paternity that equals or exceeds 99 |
1571 | percent, the Department of Revenue may: |
1572 | 1. Issue a proposed order of paternity as provided in |
1573 | paragraph (b); or |
1574 | 2. If appropriate, delay issuing a proposed order of |
1575 | paternity and commence, by regular mail, an administrative |
1576 | proceeding to establish a support order for the child pursuant |
1577 | to s. 409.2563 and issue a single proposed order that addresses |
1578 | paternity and child support. |
1579 | (b) A proposed order of paternity must: |
1580 | 1. State proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. |
1581 | 2. Include a copy of the results of genetic testing. |
1582 | 3. Include notice of the respondent's right to informal |
1583 | review and to contest the proposed order of paternity at an |
1584 | administrative hearing. |
1585 | (c) If a paternity and child support proceeding has been |
1586 | commenced under this section and the results of genetic testing |
1587 | indicate a statistical probability of paternity that equals or |
1588 | exceeds 99 percent, the Department of Revenue may issue a single |
1589 | proposed order that addresses paternity as provided in this |
1590 | section and child support as provided in s. 409.2563. |
1591 | (d) The Department of Revenue shall serve a proposed order |
1592 | issued under this section on the respondent by regular mail and |
1593 | shall provide a copy by regular mail to the mother or custodian |
1594 | if they are not respondents. |
1595 | (10) INFORMAL REVIEW; ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING; PRESUMPTION |
1596 | OF PATERNITY.-- |
1597 | (a) Within 10 days after the date of mailing or other |
1598 | service of a proposed order, the respondent may contact a |
1599 | representative of the Department of Revenue at the address or |
1600 | telephone number provided to request an informal review of the |
1601 | proposed order. If an informal review is timely requested, the |
1602 | time for requesting a hearing is extended until 10 days after |
1603 | the department mails notice to the respondent that the informal |
1604 | review has been concluded. |
1605 | (b) Within 20 days after the mailing date of the proposed |
1606 | order or within 10 days after the mailing date of notice that an |
1607 | informal review has been concluded, whichever is later, the |
1608 | respondent may request an administrative hearing by filing a |
1609 | written request for a hearing with the Department of Revenue. A |
1610 | request for a hearing must state the specific objections to the |
1611 | proposed order, the specific objections to the genetic testing |
1612 | results, or both. A respondent who fails to file a timely |
1613 | request for a hearing is deemed to have waived the right to a |
1614 | hearing. |
1615 | (c) If the respondent files a timely request for a |
1616 | hearing, the Department of Revenue shall refer the hearing |
1617 | request to the Division of Administrative Hearings. Unless |
1618 | otherwise provided in this section or in s. 409.2563, chapter |
1619 | 120 and the uniform rules of procedure govern the conduct of the |
1620 | proceedings. |
1621 | (d) The genetic-testing results shall be admitted into |
1622 | evidence and made a part of the hearing record. For purposes of |
1623 | this section, a statistical probability of paternity that equals |
1624 | or exceeds 99 percent creates a presumption, as defined in s. |
1625 | 90.304, that the putative father is the biological father of the |
1626 | child. The presumption may be overcome only by clear and |
1627 | convincing evidence. The respondent or the Department of Revenue |
1628 | may call an expert witness to refute or support the testing |
1629 | procedure or results or the mathematical theory on which they |
1630 | are based. Verified documentation of the chain of custody of the |
1631 | samples tested is competent evidence to establish the chain of |
1632 | custody. |
1633 | (11) FINAL ORDER ESTABLISHING PATERNITY OR PATERNITY AND |
1634 | CHILD SUPPORT; CONSENT ORDER; NOTICE TO OFFICE OF VITAL |
1635 | STATISTICS.-- |
1636 | (a) If a hearing is held, the administrative law judge of |
1637 | the Division of Administrative Hearings shall issue a final |
1638 | order that adjudicates paternity or, if appropriate, paternity |
1639 | and child support. A final order of the administrative law judge |
1640 | constitutes final agency action by the Department of Revenue. |
1641 | The Division of Administrative Hearings shall transmit any such |
1642 | order to the department for filing and rendering. |
1643 | (b) If the respondent does not file a timely request for a |
1644 | hearing or consents in writing to entry of a final order without |
1645 | a hearing, the Department of Revenue may render a final order of |
1646 | paternity or a final order of paternity and child support, as |
1647 | appropriate. |
1648 | (c) The Department of Revenue shall mail a copy of the |
1649 | final order to the putative father, the mother, and the |
1650 | custodian, if any. The department shall notify the respondent of |
1651 | the right to seek judicial review of a final order in accordance |
1652 | with s. 120.68. |
1653 | (d) Upon rendering a final order of paternity or a final |
1654 | order of paternity and child support, the Department of Revenue |
1655 | shall notify the Division of Vital Statistics of the Department |
1656 | of Health that the paternity of the child has been established. |
1657 | (e) A final order rendered pursuant to this section has |
1658 | the same effect as a judgment entered by the court pursuant to |
1659 | chapter 742. |
1660 | (f) The provisions of s. 409.2563 that apply to a final |
1661 | administrative support order rendered under that section apply |
1662 | to a final order rendered under this section when a child |
1663 | support obligation is established. |
1664 | (12) RIGHT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW.--A respondent has the right |
1665 | to seek judicial review, in accordance with s. 120.68, of a |
1666 | final order rendered under subsection (11) and an order issued |
1667 | under paragraph (5)(b). The Department of Revenue has the right |
1668 | to seek judicial review, in accordance with s. 120.68, of a |
1669 | final order issued by an administrative law judge under |
1670 | subsection (11) and an order issued by an administrative law |
1671 | judge under paragraph (5)(b). |
1672 | (13) DUTY TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN CURRENT MAILING |
1673 | ADDRESS.--Until a proceeding that has been commenced under this |
1674 | section has ended, a respondent who is served with a notice of |
1675 | proceeding must inform the Department of Revenue in writing of |
1676 | any change in the respondent's mailing address and is deemed to |
1677 | have received any subsequent order, notice, or other paper |
1678 | mailed to that address, or the address at which the respondent |
1679 | was served, if the respondent has not provided a more recent |
1680 | address. |
1681 | (14) PROCEEDINGS IN CIRCUIT COURT.--The results of genetic |
1682 | testing performed pursuant to this section are admissible as |
1683 | evidence to the same extent as scientific testing ordered by the |
1684 | court pursuant to chapter 742. |
1685 | (15) GENDER NEUTRAL.--This section shall be construed |
1686 | impartially, regardless of a person's gender, and applies with |
1687 | equal force to the mother of a child whose paternity has not |
1688 | been established and is not presumed by law. |
1689 | (16) REMEDIES SUPPLEMENTAL.--The remedies provided in this |
1690 | section are supplemental and in addition to other remedies |
1691 | available to the department for the establishment of paternity |
1692 | and child support obligations. |
1693 | (17) RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.--The department may adopt rules |
1694 | to implement this section. |
1695 | Section 25. Effective July 1, 2005, subsection (4) of |
1696 | section 409.2561, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
1697 | 409.2561 Support obligations when public assistance is |
1698 | paid; assignment of rights; subrogation; medical and health |
1699 | insurance information.-- |
1700 | (4) No obligation of support under this section shall be |
1701 | incurred by any person who is the recipient of supplemental |
1702 | security income or temporary cash assistance public assistance |
1703 | moneys for the benefit of a dependent child or who is |
1704 | incapacitated and financially unable to pay as determined by the |
1705 | department. |
1706 | Section 26. Effective January 1, 2006, paragraphs (b) and |
1707 | (c) of subsection (2) of section 409.2563, Florida Statutes, are |
1708 | amended to read: |
1709 | 409.2563 Administrative establishment of child support |
1710 | obligations.-- |
1711 | (2) PURPOSE AND SCOPE.-- |
1712 | (b) The administrative procedure set forth in this section |
1713 | concerns only the establishment of child support obligations. |
1714 | This section does not grant jurisdiction to the department or |
1715 | the Division of Administrative Hearings to hear or determine |
1716 | issues of dissolution of marriage, separation, alimony or |
1717 | spousal support, termination of parental rights, dependency, |
1718 | disputed paternity, except for a determination of paternity as |
1719 | provided in s. 409.256, award of or change of custody, or |
1720 | visitation. This paragraph notwithstanding, the department and |
1721 | the Division of Administrative Hearings may make findings of |
1722 | fact that are necessary for a proper determination of a |
1723 | noncustodial parent's support obligation as authorized by this |
1724 | section. |
1725 | (c) If there is no support order for a child in a Title |
1726 | IV-D case whose paternity has been established or is presumed by |
1727 | law, or whose paternity is the subject of a proceeding under s. |
1728 | 409.256, the department may establish the noncustodial parent's |
1729 | child support obligation pursuant to this section, s. 61.30, and |
1730 | other relevant provisions of state law. The noncustodial |
1731 | parent's obligation determined by the department may include any |
1732 | obligation to pay retroactive support and any obligation to |
1733 | provide for health care for a child, whether through insurance |
1734 | coverage, reimbursement of expenses, or both. The department may |
1735 | proceed on behalf of: |
1736 | 1. An applicant or recipient of public assistance, as |
1737 | provided by ss. 409.2561 and 409.2567; |
1738 | 2. A former recipient of public assistance, as provided by |
1739 | s. 409.2569; |
1740 | 3. An individual who has applied for services as provided |
1741 | by s. 409.2567; |
1742 | 4. Itself or the child, as provided by s. 409.2561; or |
1743 | 5. A state or local government of another state, as |
1744 | provided by chapter 88. |
1745 | Section 27. Effective October 1, 2006, section 409.25635, |
1746 | Florida Statutes, is created to read: |
1747 | 409.25635 Determination and collection of noncovered |
1748 | medical expenses.-- |
1749 | (1) DEFINITION.--As used in this section, "noncovered |
1750 | medical expenses" means uninsured medical, dental, or |
1751 | prescription medication expenses that are ordered to be paid on |
1752 | behalf of a child as provided in s. 61.13(1)(b) or a similar law |
1753 | of another state. |
1754 | (2) PROCEEDING TO DETERMINE AMOUNT OWED FOR NONCOVERED |
1755 | MEDICAL EXPENSES.--In a Title IV-D case, the Department of |
1756 | Revenue may proceed under this section to determine the amount |
1757 | owed by an obligor for noncovered medical expenses if: |
1758 | (a) The obligor is subject to a support order that |
1759 | requires the obligor to pay all or part of a child's noncovered |
1760 | medical expenses. |
1761 | (b) The obligee provides the department with a written |
1762 | declaration under penalty of perjury that states: |
1763 | 1. Noncovered medical expenses have been incurred on |
1764 | behalf of the dependent child whom the obligor has been ordered |
1765 | to support. |
1766 | 2. The obligee has paid for noncovered medical expenses |
1767 | that have been incurred on behalf of the child. |
1768 | 3. The obligor has not paid all or part of the child's |
1769 | noncovered medical expenses as ordered. |
1770 | 4. The amount paid by the obligee for noncovered medical |
1771 | expenses and the amount the obligor allegedly owes to the |
1772 | obligee. |
1773 | (c) The obligee provides documentation in support of the |
1774 | written declaration. |
1775 | (3) NOTICE OF PROCEEDING.-- |
1776 | (a) To proceed under this section, the Department of |
1777 | Revenue shall serve a notice on the obligor that states: |
1778 | 1. That the department has commenced a proceeding to |
1779 | determine the amount the obligor owes for noncovered medical |
1780 | expenses. |
1781 | 2. The name of the court or other tribunal that issued the |
1782 | support order that requires the obligor to pay noncovered |
1783 | medical expenses and the date of the order. |
1784 | 3. That the proceeding is based on the requirements of the |
1785 | support order, the obligee's written sworn statement, and the |
1786 | supporting documentation provided to the department by the |
1787 | obligee. |
1788 | 4. The amount of noncovered medical expenses that the |
1789 | obligee alleges the obligor owes. |
1790 | 5. If the support order was entered by a court of this |
1791 | state or a tribunal of another state, that the obligor may file |
1792 | a motion in the circuit court to contest the amount of |
1793 | noncovered medical expenses owed within 25 days after the date |
1794 | of mailing of the notice or, if the support order was entered by |
1795 | the department, that the obligor may file with the department a |
1796 | petition to contest within 25 days after the date of mailing of |
1797 | the notice. |
1798 | 6. If the support order was entered by a court of this |
1799 | state or a tribunal of another state, that the court shall |
1800 | determine the amount owed by the obligor and enter judgment as |
1801 | appropriate if the obligor timely files a motion in the circuit |
1802 | court to contest the amount of noncovered medical expenses owed |
1803 | or, if the support order was entered by the department, the |
1804 | department shall determine the amount owed by the obligor and |
1805 | render a final order as appropriate if the obligor timely files |
1806 | with the department a petition to contest the amount of |
1807 | noncovered medical expenses owed. |
1808 | 7. If the obligor does not timely file a motion or |
1809 | petition to contest the amount alleged to be owed, that the |
1810 | obligor shall owe the amount alleged in the notice. |
1811 | 8. If an amount owed is determined after a hearing or |
1812 | becomes final because the obligor does not file a timely motion |
1813 | or petition to contest, the department shall begin collection |
1814 | action. |
1815 | (b) The notice shall be served on the obligor by regular |
1816 | mail that is sent to the obligor's address of record according |
1817 | to the clerk of the court or according to the Department of |
1818 | Revenue if the support order was entered by the department or to |
1819 | a more recent address if known. A copy of the obligee's written |
1820 | declaration and supporting documentation must be served on the |
1821 | obligor with the notice. The department shall provide the |
1822 | obligee with a copy of the notice and with any subsequent notice |
1823 | of hearing. |
1824 | (4) RIGHT TO HEARING; DETERMINATION AFTER HEARING; WAIVER |
1825 | OF HEARING.-- |
1826 | (a) Within 25 days after the date the notice required by |
1827 | subsection (3) is mailed, if the support order was entered by a |
1828 | court of this state or a tribunal of another state, the obligor |
1829 | may file a motion in the circuit court to contest the amount of |
1830 | noncovered medical expenses owed. If a timely motion is filed, |
1831 | the court shall determine after a hearing whether the obligor |
1832 | owes the obligee the amount alleged for noncovered medical |
1833 | expenses and enter a judgment, as appropriate. |
1834 | (b) Within 25 days after the date the notice required by |
1835 | subsection (3) is mailed, if the support order was entered by |
1836 | the Department of Revenue, the obligor may file with the |
1837 | department a petition to contest the amount of noncovered |
1838 | medical expenses owed. If a timely petition is filed, the |
1839 | department shall determine after a hearing pursuant to chapter |
1840 | 120 whether the obligor owes the obligee for the amount alleged |
1841 | for noncovered medical expenses and render a final order, as |
1842 | appropriate. |
1843 | (c) If the obligor does not timely file a motion or |
1844 | petition to contest, the amount owed as alleged in the notice |
1845 | becomes final and is legally enforceable. |
1846 | (5) EFFECT OF DETERMINATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE |
1847 | AND UNCONTESTED PROCEEDINGS.--The amount owed for noncovered |
1848 | medical expenses that is determined by the Department of Revenue |
1849 | as provided in paragraph (4)(b) or that becomes final as |
1850 | provided in paragraph (4)(c) has the same effect as a judgment |
1851 | entered by a court. |
1852 | (6) FILING WITH THE DEPOSITORY; RECORDING; MAINTENANCE OF |
1853 | ACCOUNTS.--When an amount owed for noncovered medical expenses |
1854 | is determined, the department shall file a certified copy of the |
1855 | final order or uncontested notice with the depository. Upon |
1856 | receipt of a final order or uncontested notice, the depository |
1857 | shall record the final order or uncontested notice in the same |
1858 | manner as a final judgment. The depository shall maintain |
1859 | necessary accounts to reflect obligations and payments for |
1860 | noncovered medical expenses. |
1861 | (7) COLLECTION ACTION; ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES.--Any |
1862 | administrative remedy available for collection of support may be |
1863 | used to collect noncovered medical expenses that are determined |
1864 | or established under this section. |
1865 | (8) SUPPLEMENTAL REMEDY.--This section provides a |
1866 | supplemental remedy for determining and enforcing noncovered |
1867 | medical expenses. As an alternative, the department or any other |
1868 | party may petition the circuit court for enforcement of |
1869 | noncovered medical expenses. |
1870 | (9) RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.--The department may adopt rules |
1871 | to implement this section. |
1872 | Section 28. Subsections (8) through (14) of section |
1873 | 409.2564, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (7) |
1874 | through (13), respectively, and present subsection (7) is |
1875 | amended to read: |
1876 | 409.2564 Actions for support.-- |
1877 | (7) In a judicial circuit with a work experience and job |
1878 | training pilot project, if the obligor is a noncustodial parent |
1879 | of a child receiving public assistance as defined in this |
1880 | chapter, is unemployed or underemployed or has no income, then |
1881 | the court shall order the obligor to seek employment, if the |
1882 | obligor is able to engage in employment, and to immediately |
1883 | notify the court upon obtaining employment, upon obtaining any |
1884 | income, or upon obtaining any ownership of any asset with a |
1885 | value of $500 or more. If the obligor is still unemployed 30 |
1886 | days after any order for support, the court shall order the |
1887 | obligor to enroll in a work experience, job placement, and job |
1888 | training program. |
1889 | Section 29. Effective January 1, 2006, subsection (4) of |
1890 | section 409.2564, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
1891 | 409.2564 Actions for support.-- |
1892 | (4) Whenever the Department of Revenue has undertaken an |
1893 | action for enforcement of support, the Department of Revenue may |
1894 | enter into an agreement with the obligor for the entry of a |
1895 | judgment determining paternity, if applicable, and for periodic |
1896 | child support payments based on the child support guidelines in |
1897 | s. 61.30 obligor's reasonable ability to pay. Prior to entering |
1898 | into this agreement, the obligor shall be informed that a |
1899 | judgment will be entered based on the agreement. The clerk of |
1900 | the court shall file the agreement without the payment of any |
1901 | fees or charges, and the court, upon entry of the judgment, |
1902 | shall forward a copy of the judgment to the parties to the |
1903 | action. To encourage out-of-court settlement and promote support |
1904 | order compliance, if the obligor and the Department of Revenue |
1905 | agree on entry of a support order and its terms, the guideline |
1906 | amount owed for retroactive support that is permanently assigned |
1907 | to the state shall be reduced by 25 percent. In making a |
1908 | determination of the obligor's reasonable ability to pay and |
1909 | until guidelines are established for determining child support |
1910 | award amounts, the following criteria shall be considered: |
1911 | (a) All earnings, income, and resources of the obligor. |
1912 | (b) The ability of the obligor to earn. |
1913 | (c) The reasonable necessities of the obligor. |
1914 | (d) The needs of the dependent child for whom support is |
1915 | sought. |
1916 | Section 30. Effective October 1, 2005, section 409.25645, |
1917 | Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
1918 | 409.25645 Administrative orders for genetic testing.-- |
1919 | (1) The Department of Revenue is authorized to use |
1920 | administrative orders to require genetic testing in Title IV-D |
1921 | cases. In such cases the department or an authorized agent may |
1922 | issue an administrative order to a putative father who has not |
1923 | voluntarily submitted to genetic testing, directing him to |
1924 | appear for a genetic test to determine the paternity of a child, |
1925 | provided that the department shall have no authority to issue |
1926 | such an order in the absence of an affidavit or written |
1927 | declaration as provided in s. 92.525(2) of the child's mother |
1928 | stating that the putative father is or may be a parent of the |
1929 | child. The administrative order shall state: |
1930 | (a)(1) The type of genetic test that will be used. |
1931 | (b)(2) The date, time, and place to appear for the genetic |
1932 | test, except as provided in subsection (3). |
1933 | (c)(3) That upon failure to appear for the genetic test, |
1934 | or refusal to be tested, the department shall file a petition in |
1935 | circuit court to establish paternity and child support. |
1936 | (2) A copy of the affidavit or written declaration which |
1937 | is the basis for the issuance of the administrative order shall |
1938 | be attached to the order. The administrative order is exempt |
1939 | from the hearing provisions in chapter 120, because the person |
1940 | to whom it is directed shall have an opportunity to object in |
1941 | circuit court in the event the Department of Revenue pursues the |
1942 | matter by filing a petition in circuit court. The department may |
1943 | serve the administrative order to appear for a genetic test by |
1944 | regular mail. In any case in which more than one putative father |
1945 | has been identified, the department may proceed under this |
1946 | section with respect to all putative fathers. If the department |
1947 | receives a request from another state Title IV-D agency to |
1948 | assist in the establishment of paternity, the department may |
1949 | cause an administrative order to appear for a genetic test to be |
1950 | served on a putative father who resides in Florida. |
1951 | (3) If the putative father is incarcerated, the |
1952 | correctional facility shall assist the putative father in |
1953 | complying with the administrative order, whether issued under |
1954 | this section or s. 409.256. |
1955 | (4) An administrative order for genetic testing has the |
1956 | same force and effect as a court order. |
1957 | Section 31. Effective upon this act becoming a law, |
1958 | section 409.2567, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
1959 | 409.2567 Services to individuals not otherwise |
1960 | eligible.--All support services provided by the department shall |
1961 | be made available on behalf of all dependent children. Services |
1962 | shall be provided upon acceptance of public assistance or upon |
1963 | proper application filed with the department. The department |
1964 | shall adopt rules to provide for the payment of a $25 |
1965 | application fee from each applicant who is not a public |
1966 | assistance recipient. The application fee shall be deposited in |
1967 | the Child Support Enforcement Application and Program Revenue |
1968 | Trust Fund within the Department of Revenue to be used for the |
1969 | Child Support Enforcement Program. The obligor is responsible |
1970 | for all administrative costs, as defined in s. 409.2554. The |
1971 | court shall order payment of administrative costs without |
1972 | requiring the department to have a member of the bar testify or |
1973 | submit an affidavit as to the reasonableness of the costs. An |
1974 | attorney-client relationship exists only between the department |
1975 | and the legal services providers in Title IV-D cases. The |
1976 | attorney shall advise the obligee in Title IV-D cases that the |
1977 | attorney represents the agency and not the obligee. In Title IV- |
1978 | D cases, any costs, including filing fees, recording fees, |
1979 | mediation costs, service of process fees, and other expenses |
1980 | incurred by the clerk of the circuit court, shall be assessed |
1981 | only against the nonprevailing obligor after the court makes a |
1982 | determination of the nonprevailing obligor's ability to pay such |
1983 | costs and fees. In any case where the court does not award all |
1984 | costs, the court shall state in the record its reasons for not |
1985 | awarding the costs. The Department of Revenue shall not be |
1986 | considered a party for purposes of this section; however, fees |
1987 | may be assessed against the department pursuant to s. 57.105(1). |
1988 | The department shall submit a monthly report to the Governor and |
1989 | the chairs of the Health and Human Services Fiscal Committee of |
1990 | the House of Representatives and the Ways and Means Committee of |
1991 | the Senate specifying the funds identified for collection from |
1992 | the noncustodial parents of children receiving temporary |
1993 | assistance and the amounts actually collected. The Department of |
1994 | Revenue shall seek a waiver from the Secretary of the United |
1995 | States Department of Health and Human Services to authorize the |
1996 | Department of Revenue to provide services in accordance with |
1997 | Title IV-D of the Social Security Act to individuals who are |
1998 | owed support without need of an application. If the waiver is |
1999 | granted, the department shall adopt rules to implement the |
2000 | waiver and begin providing Title IV-D services if support |
2001 | payments are not being paid as ordered, except that the |
2002 | individual first must be given written notice of the right to |
2003 | refuse Title IV-D services and a reasonable opportunity to |
2004 | refuse. The department may not provide services if services are |
2005 | refused. |
2006 | Section 32. Effective October 1, 2005, section 409.2567, |
2007 | Florida Statutes, as amended by this act, is amended to read: |
2008 | 409.2567 Services to individuals not otherwise |
2009 | eligible.--All support services provided by the department shall |
2010 | be made available on behalf of all dependent children. Services |
2011 | shall be provided upon acceptance of public assistance or upon |
2012 | proper application filed with the department. The federally |
2013 | required application fee for individuals who do not receive |
2014 | public assistance is $1, which shall be waived for all |
2015 | applicants and paid by the department The department shall adopt |
2016 | rules to provide for the payment of a $25 application fee from |
2017 | each applicant who is not a public assistance recipient. The |
2018 | application fee shall be deposited in the Child Support |
2019 | Enforcement Application and Program Revenue Trust Fund within |
2020 | the Department of Revenue to be used for the Child Support |
2021 | Enforcement Program. The obligor is responsible for all |
2022 | administrative costs, as defined in s. 409.2554. The court shall |
2023 | order payment of administrative costs without requiring the |
2024 | department to have a member of the bar testify or submit an |
2025 | affidavit as to the reasonableness of the costs. An attorney- |
2026 | client relationship exists only between the department and the |
2027 | legal services providers in Title IV-D cases. The attorney shall |
2028 | advise the obligee in Title IV-D cases that the attorney |
2029 | represents the agency and not the obligee. In Title IV-D cases, |
2030 | any costs, including filing fees, recording fees, mediation |
2031 | costs, service of process fees, and other expenses incurred by |
2032 | the clerk of the circuit court, shall be assessed only against |
2033 | the nonprevailing obligor after the court makes a determination |
2034 | of the nonprevailing obligor's ability to pay such costs and |
2035 | fees. In any case where the court does not award all costs, the |
2036 | court shall state in the record its reasons for not awarding the |
2037 | costs. The Department of Revenue shall not be considered a party |
2038 | for purposes of this section; however, fees may be assessed |
2039 | against the department pursuant to s. 57.105(1). The department |
2040 | shall submit a monthly report to the Governor and the chairs of |
2041 | the Health and Human Services Fiscal Committee of the House of |
2042 | Representatives and the Ways and Means Committee of the Senate |
2043 | specifying the funds identified for collection from the |
2044 | noncustodial parents of children receiving temporary assistance |
2045 | and the amounts actually collected. The Department of Revenue |
2046 | shall seek a waiver from the Secretary of the United States |
2047 | Department of Health and Human Services to authorize the |
2048 | Department of Revenue to provide services in accordance with |
2049 | Title IV-D of the Social Security Act to individuals who are |
2050 | owed support without need of an application. If the waiver is |
2051 | granted, the Department of Revenue shall adopt rules to |
2052 | implement the waiver and begin providing Title IV-D services if |
2053 | support payments are not being paid as ordered, except that the |
2054 | individual first must be given written notice of the right to |
2055 | refuse Title IV-D services and a reasonable opportunity to |
2056 | respond. |
2057 | Section 33. Effective July 1, 2006, section 409.2598, |
2058 | Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
2059 | 409.2598 License suspension proceeding to enforce support |
2060 | order Suspension or denial of new or renewal licenses; |
2061 | registrations; certifications.-- |
2062 | (1) DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term: |
2063 | (a) "License" means a license, permit, certificate, |
2064 | registration, franchise, or other form of written permission |
2065 | issued by a licensing agency to an individual which authorizes |
2066 | the individual to engage in an occupation, business, trade, or |
2067 | profession or to engage in a recreational activity, including |
2068 | hunting or fishing. Where the context permits, the term also |
2069 | includes an application for a new or renewal license. |
2070 | (b) "Licensee" means an individual who has a license. |
2071 | (c) "Licensing agency" means a department, commission, |
2072 | agency, district, county, municipality, or other subdivision of |
2073 | state or local government which issues licenses. |
2074 | (2) NOTICE OF NONCOMPLIANCE AND INTENT TO SUSPEND |
2075 | LICENSE.--If a support order has not been complied with for at |
2076 | least 30 days, the Department of Revenue may commence a license |
2077 | suspension proceeding to enforce compliance with the support |
2078 | order by providing written notice to the obligor that states: |
2079 | (a) That the obligor is not in compliance with the support |
2080 | order and whether the noncompliance is due to the obligor's |
2081 | nonpayment of current support, delinquencies or arrears, or the |
2082 | failure to provide health care coverage or medical support. |
2083 | (b) The kind of license that is subject to suspension. |
2084 | (c) That the obligor may avoid license suspension by |
2085 | complying with the support order or entering into a written |
2086 | agreement with the department within 30 days after the mailing |
2087 | of the notice. |
2088 | (d) If the obligor timely complies with the support order |
2089 | or a written agreement entered into with the department, the |
2090 | proceeding ends and the obligor's license is not suspended. |
2091 | (e) That the obligor may contest license suspension by |
2092 | filing a petition in circuit court within 30 days after the |
2093 | mailing of the notice of noncompliance. |
2094 | (f) If the obligor timely files a petition in circuit |
2095 | court, that the license suspension proceeding is stayed pending |
2096 | a ruling by the court. |
2097 |
|
2098 | The notice shall be served on the obligor by regular mail sent |
2099 | to the obligor's last address of record with the local |
2100 | depository or a more recent address if known, which may include |
2101 | the obligor's mailing address as reflected by the records of the |
2102 | licensing agency. |
2103 | (3) HEARING; STAY OF PROCEEDING.--The obligor may contest |
2104 | license suspension by filing a petition in circuit court within |
2105 | 30 days after the mailing of the notice of noncompliance and |
2106 | serving a copy of the petition on the Department of Revenue. If |
2107 | the obligor timely files a petition in circuit court, the |
2108 | license suspension proceeding is stayed pending a ruling by the |
2109 | court. The obligor may contest on the basis of a mistake of fact |
2110 | concerning the obligor's compliance with the support order, the |
2111 | reasonableness of a payment agreement offered by the department, |
2112 | or the identity of the obligor. A timely petition to contest |
2113 | must be heard by the court within 15 days after the petition is |
2114 | filed. The court must enter an order ruling on the matter within |
2115 | 10 days after the hearing and a copy of the order must be served |
2116 | on the parties. |
2117 | (4) COMPLIANCE; REINSTATEMENT.-- |
2118 | (a) If the obligor complies with the support order or a |
2119 | written agreement entered into with the department after a |
2120 | proceeding is commenced but before the obligor's license is |
2121 | suspended, the proceeding shall cease and the obligor's license |
2122 | may not be suspended. If the obligor subsequently does not |
2123 | comply with the support order, the department may commence a new |
2124 | proceeding or proceed as provided in paragraph (c) if the |
2125 | obligor enters into a written agreement and does not comply with |
2126 | the agreement. |
2127 | (b) If the obligor complies with the support order or a |
2128 | written agreement entered into with the department after the |
2129 | obligor's license is suspended, the department shall provide the |
2130 | obligor with a reinstatement notice and the licensing agency |
2131 | shall reinstate the obligor's license at no additional charge to |
2132 | the obligor. |
2133 | (c) If the obligor enters into a written agreement with |
2134 | the department and does not comply with the agreement, the |
2135 | department shall notify the licensing agency to suspend the |
2136 | obligor's license unless the obligor notifies the department |
2137 | that the obligor can no longer comply with the written |
2138 | agreement. If the obligor notifies the department of the |
2139 | inability to comply with the written agreement, the obligor |
2140 | shall provide full disclosure to the department of the obligor's |
2141 | income, assets, and employment. If after full disclosure the |
2142 | written agreement cannot be renegotiated, the department or the |
2143 | obligor may file a petition in circuit court to determine the |
2144 | matter. |
2145 | (d) A licensing agency shall promptly reinstate the |
2146 | obligor's license upon receipt of a court order for |
2147 | reinstatement. |
2148 | (e) Notwithstanding any other statutory provision, a |
2149 | notice from the court or the department shall reinstate to the |
2150 | obligor all licenses established in chapters 370 and 372 that |
2151 | were valid at the time of suspension. |
2152 | (5) NOTICE TO LICENSING AGENCY; SUSPENSION.-- |
2153 | (a) The Department of Revenue shall notify the licensing |
2154 | agency to suspend the obligor's license when: |
2155 | 1. Thirty or more days have elapsed after a proceeding has |
2156 | been commenced and the obligor has not complied with the support |
2157 | order or a written agreement entered into with the department or |
2158 | filed a timely petition to contest license suspension in circuit |
2159 | court; |
2160 | 2. The obligor enters into a written agreement with the |
2161 | department and does not comply with the agreement, unless the |
2162 | obligor notifies the department that the obligor can no longer |
2163 | comply with the agreement; or |
2164 | 3. The department is ordered to do so by the circuit |
2165 | court. |
2166 | (b) Upon notice by the department or the circuit court, |
2167 | the licensing agency shall suspend the obligor's license and may |
2168 | only reinstate the license upon further notice by the department |
2169 | or the court. |
2170 | (6) ENFORCEMENT OF SUBPOENAS.--A license may be suspended |
2171 | under this section to enforce compliance with a subpoena, order |
2172 | to appear, order to show cause, or similar order in a child |
2173 | support or paternity proceeding by using the same procedures as |
2174 | those used for enforcing compliance with a support order. |
2175 | (7) MULTIPLE LICENSES.--The Department of Revenue may |
2176 | combine a proceeding under this section with a proceeding to |
2177 | suspend a driver's license under s. 61.13016. A proceeding to |
2178 | suspend a license under this section may apply to one or more of |
2179 | the obligor's licenses. |
2180 | (8) RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.--The Department of Revenue may |
2181 | adopt rules to implement and enforce the requirements of this |
2182 | section. |
2183 | (2) The Title IV-D agency may petition the court that |
2184 | entered the support order or the court that is enforcing the |
2185 | support order to deny or suspend the license of any obligor with |
2186 | a delinquent support obligation or who fails, after receiving |
2187 | appropriate notice, to comply with subpoenas, orders to appear, |
2188 | orders to show cause, or similar orders relating to paternity or |
2189 | support proceedings. However, a petition may not be filed until |
2190 | the Title IV-D agency has exhausted all other available |
2191 | remedies. The purpose of this section is to promote the public |
2192 | policy of the state as established in s. 409.2551. |
2193 | (3) The Title IV-D agency shall give notice to any obligor |
2194 | who is an applicant for a new or renewal license or the holder |
2195 | of a current license when a delinquency exists in the support |
2196 | obligation or when an obligor has failed to comply with a |
2197 | subpoena, order to appear, order to show cause, or similar order |
2198 | relating to paternity or support proceeding. The notice shall |
2199 | specify that the obligor has 30 days from the date of mailing of |
2200 | the notice to pay the delinquency or to reach an agreement to |
2201 | pay the delinquency with the Title IV-D agency or comply with |
2202 | the subpoena, order to appear, order to show cause, or similar |
2203 | order. The notice shall specify that, if payment is not made or |
2204 | an agreement cannot be reached, or if the subpoena, order to |
2205 | appear, order to show cause, or similar order is not complied |
2206 | with, the application may be denied or the license may be |
2207 | suspended pursuant to a court order. |
2208 | (4) If the obligor fails to pay the delinquency or enter |
2209 | into a repayment agreement with the department or comply with |
2210 | the subpoena, order to appear, order to show cause, or similar |
2211 | order within 30 days following completion of service of the |
2212 | notice, the Title IV-D agency shall send a second notice to the |
2213 | obligor stating that the obligor has 30 days to pay the |
2214 | delinquency or reach an agreement to pay the delinquency with |
2215 | the Title IV-D agency or comply with the subpoena, order to |
2216 | appear, order to show cause, or similar order. If the obligor |
2217 | fails to respond to either notice from the Title IV-D agency or |
2218 | if the obligor fails to pay the delinquency or reach an |
2219 | agreement to pay the delinquency or comply with the subpoena, |
2220 | order to appear, order to show cause, or similar order after the |
2221 | second notice, the Title IV-D agency may petition the court |
2222 | which entered the support order or the court which is enforcing |
2223 | the support order to deny the application for the license or to |
2224 | suspend the license of the obligor. However, no petition may be |
2225 | filed until the Title IV-D agency has exhausted all other |
2226 | available remedies. The court may find that it would be |
2227 | inappropriate to deny a license or suspend a license if: |
2228 | (a) Denial or suspension would result in irreparable harm |
2229 | to the obligor or employees of the obligor or would not |
2230 | accomplish the objective of collecting the delinquency; or |
2231 | (b) The obligor demonstrates that he or she has made a |
2232 | good faith effort to reach an agreement with the Title IV-D |
2233 | agency. |
2234 |
|
2235 | The court may not deny or suspend a license if the court |
2236 | determines that an alternative remedy is available to the Title |
2237 | IV-D agency which is likely to accomplish the objective of |
2238 | collecting the delinquency or obtaining compliance with the |
2239 | subpoena, order to appear, order to show cause, or similar |
2240 | order. If the obligor fails in the defense of a petition for |
2241 | denial or suspension, the court which entered the support order |
2242 | or the court which is enforcing the support order shall enter an |
2243 | order to deny the application for the license or to suspend the |
2244 | license of the obligor. The court shall order the obligor to |
2245 | surrender the license to the Title IV-D agency, which will |
2246 | return the license and a copy of the order of suspension to the |
2247 | appropriate licensing agency. |
2248 | (5) If the court denies or suspends a license and the |
2249 | obligor subsequently pays the delinquency or reaches an |
2250 | agreement with the Title IV-D agency to settle the delinquency |
2251 | and makes the first payment required by the agreement, or |
2252 | complies with the subpoena, order to appear, order to show |
2253 | cause, or similar order, the license shall be issued or |
2254 | reinstated upon written proof to the court that the obligor has |
2255 | complied with the terms of the court order, subpoena, order to |
2256 | appear, order to show cause, or similar order. Proof of payment |
2257 | shall consist of a certified copy of the payment record issued |
2258 | by the depository. The court shall order the appropriate |
2259 | licensing agency to issue or reinstate the license without |
2260 | additional charge to the obligor. |
2261 | (6) The licensing agency shall, when directed by the |
2262 | court, suspend or deny the license of any licensee under its |
2263 | jurisdiction found to have a delinquent support obligation or |
2264 | not to be in compliance with a subpoena, order to appear, order |
2265 | to show cause, or similar order. The licensing agency shall |
2266 | issue or reinstate the license without additional charge to the |
2267 | licensee when notified by the court that the licensee has |
2268 | complied with the terms of the court order, or subpoena, order |
2269 | to appear, order to show cause, or similar order. |
2270 | (7) Notice shall be served under this section by regular |
2271 | mail to the obligor at his or her last address of record with |
2272 | the local depository or a more recent address if known. |
2273 | Section 34. Effective upon this act becoming a law, |
2274 | section 409.259, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
2275 | 409.259 Filing fees in Title IV-D cases; electronic filing |
2276 | of pleadings, returns of service, and other papers.-- |
2277 | (1) Notwithstanding s. 28.241, each clerk of the circuit |
2278 | court shall accept petitions, complaints, and motions filed by |
2279 | the department in Title IV-D cases without billing the |
2280 | department separately for each filing, as long as the clerk is |
2281 | being reimbursed in a different manner for expenses incurred in |
2282 | such filings under the cooperative agreement with the department |
2283 | pursuant to ss. 61.181(1) and 61.1826(2) and (4). |
2284 | (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the department shall |
2285 | continue to be entitled to the other necessary services of the |
2286 | clerk of court in any proceedings under the IV-D program as |
2287 | authorized under s. 409.2571. |
2288 | (3) The clerks of the circuit court, chief judges through |
2289 | the Office of the State Courts Administrator, sheriffs, Office |
2290 | of the Attorney General, and Department of Revenue shall work |
2291 | cooperatively to implement electronic filing of pleadings, |
2292 | returns of service, and other papers with the clerks of the |
2293 | circuit court in Title IV-D cases by October 1, 2009. |
2294 | Section 35. Effective October 1, 2005, section 409.821, |
2295 | Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
2296 | 409.821 Florida KidCare program public records |
2297 | exemption.--Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any |
2298 | information identifying a Florida KidCare program applicant or |
2299 | enrollee, as defined in s. 409.811, held by the Agency for |
2300 | Health Care Administration, the Department of Children and |
2301 | Family Services, the Department of Health, or the Florida |
2302 | Healthy Kids Corporation is confidential and exempt from s. |
2303 | 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Such |
2304 | information may be disclosed to another governmental entity only |
2305 | if disclosure is necessary for the entity to perform its duties |
2306 | and responsibilities under the Florida KidCare program and shall |
2307 | be disclosed to the Department of Revenue for purposes of |
2308 | administering the state Title IV-D program. The receiving |
2309 | governmental entity must maintain the confidential and exempt |
2310 | status of such information. Furthermore, such information may |
2311 | not be released to any person without the written consent of the |
2312 | program applicant. This exemption applies to any information |
2313 | identifying a Florida KidCare program applicant or enrollee held |
2314 | by the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of |
2315 | Children and Family Services, the Department of Health, or the |
2316 | Florida Healthy Kids Corporation before, on, or after the |
2317 | effective date of this exemption. A violation of this section is |
2318 | a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. |
2319 | 775.082 or s. 775.083. |
2320 | Section 36. Effective October 1, 2005, paragraph (a) of |
2321 | subsection (5) of section 414.065, Florida Statutes, is amended |
2322 | to read: |
2323 | 414.065 Noncompliance with work requirements.-- |
2324 | (5) WORK ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS FOR NONCUSTODIAL PARENTS.-- |
2325 | (a) The court may order a noncustodial parent who is |
2326 | delinquent in support payments, pursuant to the terms of a |
2327 | support order as defined in s. 61.046, to participate in work |
2328 | activities under this chapter, or as provided in s. 61.14(5)(b), |
2329 | so that the parent may obtain employment and fulfill the |
2330 | obligation to provide support payments. A noncustodial parent |
2331 | who fails to satisfactorily engage in court-ordered work |
2332 | activities may be held in contempt. |
2333 | Section 37. Effective July 1, 2006, subsections (1) and |
2334 | (3) of section 443.051, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
2335 | 443.051 Benefits not alienable; exception, child support |
2336 | intercept.-- |
2337 | (1) DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section: |
2338 | (a) "Unemployment compensation" means any compensation |
2339 | payable under state law, including amounts payable pursuant to |
2340 | an agreement under any federal law providing for compensation, |
2341 | assistance, or allowances for unemployment. |
2342 | (b) "Support obligations" includes only those obligations |
2343 | that are being enforced under a plan described in s. 454 of the |
2344 | Social Security Act which has been approved by the Secretary of |
2345 | Health and Human Services under Part D of Title IV of the Social |
2346 | Security Act. Support obligations include any legally required |
2347 | payments to reduce delinquencies, arrearages, or retroactive |
2348 | support. |
2349 | (c) "Support order" means a judgment, decree, or order, |
2350 | whether temporary or final, issued by a court of competent |
2351 | jurisdiction or administrative agency for the support and |
2352 | maintenance of a child that provides for monetary support, |
2353 | health care, arrearages, or past support. When the child support |
2354 | obligation is being enforced by the Department of Revenue, the |
2355 | term "support order" also means a judgment, decree, or order, |
2356 | whether temporary or final, issued by a court of competent |
2357 | jurisdiction for the support and maintenance of a child and the |
2358 | spouse or former spouse of the obligor with whom the child is |
2359 | living that provides for monetary support, health care, |
2360 | arrearages, or past support. |
2361 | (3) EXCEPTION, SUPPORT INTERCEPT.-- |
2362 | (a) Each individual filing a new claim for unemployment |
2363 | compensation must disclose at the time of filing the claim |
2364 | whether she or he owes support obligations that are being |
2365 | enforced by the Department of Revenue. If an applicant discloses |
2366 | that she or he owes support obligations and she or he is |
2367 | determined to be eligible for unemployment compensation |
2368 | benefits, the Agency for Workforce Innovation shall notify the |
2369 | Department of Revenue if the department is enforcing the support |
2370 | obligation. The Department of Revenue shall, at least biweekly, |
2371 | provide the Agency for Workforce Innovation with a magnetic tape |
2372 | or other electronic data file disclosing the individuals who owe |
2373 | support obligations and the amount of any legally required |
2374 | deductions. |
2375 | (b) For support obligations established on or after July |
2376 | 1, 2006, and for support obligations established before July 1, |
2377 | 2006, when the support order does not address the withholding of |
2378 | unemployment compensation, the Agency for Workforce Innovation |
2379 | shall deduct and withhold 40 percent of the unemployment |
2380 | compensation otherwise payable to an individual disclosed under |
2381 | paragraph (a). If delinquencies, arrearages, or retroactive |
2382 | support are owed and repayment has not been ordered, the unpaid |
2383 | amounts are included in the support obligation and are subject |
2384 | to withholding. If the amount deducted exceeds the support |
2385 | obligation, the Department of Revenue shall promptly refund the |
2386 | amount of the excess deduction to the obligor. For support |
2387 | obligations in effect before July 1, 2006, if the support order |
2388 | addresses the withholding of unemployment compensation, the |
2389 | Agency for Workforce Innovation shall deduct and withhold the |
2390 | amount ordered by the court or administrative agency that issued |
2391 | the support order as disclosed by the Department of Revenue. The |
2392 | Agency for Workforce Innovation shall deduct and withhold from |
2393 | any unemployment compensation otherwise payable to an individual |
2394 | disclosed under paragraph (a) who owes support obligations: |
2395 | 1. The amount determined under an agreement submitted to |
2396 | the Agency for Workforce Innovation under s. 454(19)(B)(i) of |
2397 | the Social Security Act by the Department of Revenue; |
2398 | 2. The amount required to be deducted and withheld from |
2399 | unemployment compensation through legal process as defined in s. |
2400 | 459 of the Social Security Act; or |
2401 | 3. The amount otherwise specified by the individual to the |
2402 | Agency for Workforce Innovation to be deducted and withheld |
2403 | under this section. |
2404 | (c) The Agency for Workforce Innovation shall pay any |
2405 | amount deducted and withheld under paragraph (b) to the |
2406 | Department of Revenue. |
2407 | (d) Any amount deducted and withheld under this subsection |
2408 | shall for all purposes be treated as if it were paid to the |
2409 | individual as unemployment compensation and paid by the |
2410 | individual to the Department of Revenue for support obligations. |
2411 | (e) The Department of Revenue shall reimburse the Agency |
2412 | for Workforce Innovation for the administrative costs incurred |
2413 | by the agency under this subsection which are attributable to |
2414 | support obligations being enforced by the department. |
2415 | Section 38. Effective July 1, 2006, subsection (9) of |
2416 | section 455.203, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
2417 | 455.203 Department; powers and duties.--The department, |
2418 | for the boards under its jurisdiction, shall: |
2419 | (9) Work cooperatively with the Department of Revenue to |
2420 | implement an automated method for periodically disclosing |
2421 | information relating to current licensees to the Department of |
2422 | Revenue. Allow applicants for new or renewal licenses and |
2423 | current licensees to be screened by the Title IV-D child support |
2424 | agency pursuant to s. 409.2598 to assure compliance with a |
2425 | support obligation. The purpose of this subsection is to promote |
2426 | the public policy of this state as established in s. 409.2551. |
2427 | The department shall, when directed by the court or the |
2428 | Department of Revenue pursuant to s. 409.2598, suspend or deny |
2429 | the license of any licensee found not to be in compliance with a |
2430 | support order, subpoena, order to show cause, or written |
2431 | agreement entered into by the licensee with the Department of |
2432 | Revenue to have a delinquent support obligation, as defined in |
2433 | s. 409.2554. The department shall issue or reinstate the license |
2434 | without additional charge to the licensee when notified by the |
2435 | court or the Department of Revenue that the licensee has |
2436 | complied with the terms of the support court order. The |
2437 | department shall not be held liable for any license denial or |
2438 | suspension resulting from the discharge of its duties under this |
2439 | subsection. |
2440 | Section 39. Effective January 1, 2006, subsection (1) of |
2441 | section 742.10, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
2442 | 742.10 Establishment of paternity for children born out of |
2443 | wedlock.-- |
2444 | (1) This chapter provides the primary jurisdiction and |
2445 | procedures for the determination of paternity for children born |
2446 | out of wedlock. When the establishment of paternity has been |
2447 | raised and determined within an adjudicatory hearing brought |
2448 | under the statutes governing inheritance, or dependency under |
2449 | workers' compensation or similar compensation programs, or when |
2450 | an affidavit acknowledging paternity or a stipulation of |
2451 | paternity is executed by both parties and filed with the clerk |
2452 | of the court, or when an affidavit, a notarized voluntary |
2453 | acknowledgment of paternity, or a voluntary acknowledgment of |
2454 | paternity that is witnessed by two individuals and signed under |
2455 | penalty of perjury as provided for in s. 382.013 or s. 382.016 |
2456 | is executed by both parties, or when paternity is adjudicated by |
2457 | the Department of Revenue as provided in s. 409.256, such |
2458 | adjudication, affidavit, or acknowledgment constitutes it shall |
2459 | constitute the establishment of paternity for purposes of this |
2460 | chapter. If no adjudicatory proceeding was held, a notarized |
2461 | voluntary acknowledgment of paternity or voluntary |
2462 | acknowledgment of paternity that is witnessed by two individuals |
2463 | and signed under penalty of perjury as specified by s. 92.525(2) |
2464 | shall create a rebuttable presumption, as defined by s. 90.304, |
2465 | of paternity and is subject to the right of any signatory to |
2466 | rescind the acknowledgment within 60 days after the date the |
2467 | acknowledgment was signed or the date of an administrative or |
2468 | judicial proceeding relating to the child, including a |
2469 | proceeding to establish a support order, in which the signatory |
2470 | is a party, whichever is earlier. Both parents must provide |
2471 | their social security numbers on any acknowledgment of |
2472 | paternity, consent affidavit, or stipulation of paternity. |
2473 | Except for affidavits under seal pursuant to ss. 382.015 and |
2474 | 382.016, the Office of Vital Statistics shall provide certified |
2475 | copies of affidavits to the Title IV-D agency upon request. |
2476 | Section 40. Effective January 1, 2006, paragraph (a) of |
2477 | subsection (2) of section 760.40, Florida Statutes, is amended |
2478 | to read: |
2479 | 760.40 Genetic testing; informed consent; confidentiality; |
2480 | penalties; notice of use of results.-- |
2481 | (2)(a) Except for purposes of criminal prosecution, except |
2482 | for purposes of determining paternity as provided in s. 409.256 |
2483 | or s. 742.12(1), and except for purposes of acquiring specimens |
2484 | from persons convicted of certain offenses or as otherwise |
2485 | provided in s. 943.325, DNA analysis may be performed only with |
2486 | the informed consent of the person to be tested, and the results |
2487 | of such DNA analysis, whether held by a public or private |
2488 | entity, are the exclusive property of the person tested, are |
2489 | confidential, and may not be disclosed without the consent of |
2490 | the person tested. Such information held by a public entity is |
2491 | exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I |
2492 | of the State Constitution. |
2493 | Section 41. Effective October 1, 2005, subsections (1), |
2494 | (2), and (6) of section 827.06, Florida Statutes, are amended to |
2495 | read: |
2496 | 827.06 Nonsupport of dependents.-- |
2497 | (1) The Legislature finds that most noncustodial parents |
2498 | want to support their children and remain connected to their |
2499 | families. The Legislature also finds that while many |
2500 | noncustodial parents lack the financial resources and other |
2501 | skills necessary to provide that support, some a small |
2502 | percentage of such parents willfully fail to provide support to |
2503 | their children even when they are aware of the obligation and |
2504 | have the ability to do so pursuant to s. 61.30. The Legislature |
2505 | further finds that existing statutory provisions for civil |
2506 | enforcement of support have not proven sufficiently effective or |
2507 | efficient in gaining adequate support for all children. |
2508 | Recognizing that it is the public policy of this state that |
2509 | children shall be maintained primarily from the resources of |
2510 | their parents, thereby relieving, at least in part, the burden |
2511 | presently borne by the general citizenry through public |
2512 | assistance programs, it is the intent of the Legislature that |
2513 | the criminal penalties provided for in this section are to be |
2514 | pursued in all appropriate cases where exhaustion of appropriate |
2515 | civil enforcement has not resulted in payment. |
2516 | (2) Any person who, after notice as specified in |
2517 | subsection (6), and who has been previously adjudged in contempt |
2518 | for failure to comply with a support order, willfully fails to |
2519 | provide support which he or she has the ability to provide to a |
2520 | child or a spouse whom the person knows he or she is legally |
2521 | obligated to support commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, |
2522 | punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. In lieu of |
2523 | any punishment imposed pursuant to s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, any |
2524 | person who is convicted of a violation of this subsection shall |
2525 | be punished: |
2526 | (a) By a fine to be paid after restitution for: |
2527 | 1. Not less than $250 nor more than $500 for a first |
2528 | conviction. |
2529 | 2. Not less than $500 nor more than $750 for a second |
2530 | conviction. |
2531 | 3. Not less than $750 nor more than $1,000 for a third |
2532 | conviction; and |
2533 | (b) By imprisonment for: |
2534 | 1. Not less than 15 days nor more than 1 month for a first |
2535 | conviction. |
2536 | 2. Not less than 1 month nor more than 3 months for a |
2537 | second conviction. |
2538 | 3. Not less than 3 months nor more than 6 months for a |
2539 | third conviction. |
2540 | (6) It is the intent of the Legislature for the state |
2541 | attorneys, the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, and |
2542 | the Department of Revenue to work collaboratively to identify |
2543 | strategies that allow the criminal penalties provided for in |
2544 | this section to be pursued in all appropriate cases, including, |
2545 | but not limited to, strategies that would assist the state |
2546 | attorneys in obtaining additional resources from available |
2547 | federal Title IV-D funds to initiate prosecution pursuant to |
2548 | this section. The Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association and |
2549 | the Department of Revenue shall submit a joint report to the |
2550 | Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the |
2551 | House of Representatives by December 31, 2005, that includes |
2552 | identified strategies and recommendations for implementing such |
2553 | strategies. Prior to commencing prosecution under this section, |
2554 | the state attorney must notify the person responsible for |
2555 | support by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by using |
2556 | any other means permitted for service of process in a civil |
2557 | action, that a prosecution under this section will be commenced |
2558 | against him or her unless the person pays the total unpaid |
2559 | support obligation or provides a satisfactory explanation as to |
2560 | why he or she has not made such payments. |
2561 | Section 42. Except as otherwise proved herein, this act |
2562 | shall take effect July 1, 2005. |