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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Michael J. Herzing |
State Rep. Robert E. Belfanti, Jr. |
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Belfanti bill would allow counties to post photos
of child support scofflaws on Web sites
HARRISBURG, May 22 – State Rep. Robert E. Belfanti Jr. wants to allow counties in Pennsylvania to launch a new, high-tech weapon against parents who fail to pay child support.
Belfanti’s bill (H.B. 1230) would authorize county domestic relations offices to publish both the names and photographs of non-custodial parents who are more than 30 days in arrears of their child support payments in both local newspapers and on the official county Web site.
Current law authorizes counties to publish only the names of child support defaulters, and only in local newspapers.
“On a regular basis, constituents contact my office asking for help in getting child support payment orders enforced,” Belfanti said. “Many of these deadbeats get pretty good at avoiding their responsibility, and most single parents cannot afford to hire private investigators to track them down. This legislation would make hiding in the shadows that much harder by, in effect, shining a brighter spotlight on deadbeats."
Belfanti said the bill is intended to raise awareness about parents who are avoiding their financial responsibilities among the family members, neighbors, co-workers and employers of these parents. Posting the photos of deadbeat parents on the county Web site would also have a deterrent effect on other parents who aren’t paying child support but are not yet listed on the Web site.
“Shame can be a powerful motivating force,” Belfanti said. “Under my bill, no matter where you go or what you do, people will have access to your name and picture on the Internet and will know that you are not providing for your child.
“I think this legislation would give counties a powerful new tool to enforce child support orders, and provide many single parents with the assistance they need in recovering the child support they and the children they are taking care of are owed.”
The bill is currently being considered by the House Judiciary Committee.
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