Arkansas § 9-14-102 - Wage assignment and deduction — Definitions.

§ 9-14-102. Wage assignment and deduction — Definitions.

As used in this section: “Political subdivision thereof” means all cities of the first class, cities of the second class, incorporated towns and counties and their agencies, boards, commissions, institutions and other instrumentalities, and school districts; and “State of Arkansas” means all agencies, boards, commissions, institutions, and other instrumentalities of the state. When a person is ordered by a court of record to pay for the support of his or her children under eighteen (18) years of age, the court, at the time an order of support is made or any time thereafter, upon a showing of good cause, shall order his or her employer, former employer, the auditor, comptroller, or disbursing officer of any pension fund, the State of Arkansas or any political subdivision thereof, or the United States to deduct from all moneys due or payable to the person, the entitlement to which is based upon remuneration for employment, past or present, such amounts as the court may find to be necessary to comply with its order for the support of the children under eighteen (18) years of age. In determining good cause, the court may take into consideration evidence of the degree of the respondent's past financial responsibility, credit references, credit history, and any other matter the court considers relevant in determining the likelihood of payment in accordance with the support order. Any order for support that orders that the payment be made to the support collection unit shall order the respondent's employer, former employer, the auditor, comptroller, or disbursing officer of any pension fund, the State of Arkansas or any political subdivision thereof, or the United States to deduct from all moneys due or payable to the person, the entitlement to which is based upon remuneration for employment, past or present, such amounts as the court may find to be necessary to comply with its orders for the support of the children under eighteen (18) years of age. However, any such support order shall provide that no such deduction shall be made unless and until the support collection unit established by the appropriate social services district has determined that the person is delinquent in making a specified number of payments determined by the court in the order and a copy of the order and determination has been served upon the person's employer, former employer, the auditor, comptroller, or disbursing officer of any pension fund, the State of Arkansas or any political subdivision thereof, or the United States. Additionally, the person shall be given notice of the determination at least fifteen (15) days prior to service of the order and determination on the employer, former employer, the auditor, comptroller, or disbursing officer of any pension fund, the State of Arkansas or any political subdivision thereof, or the United States. If the person pays all arrearages within the fifteen-day period, the order and determination shall not be served and no deduction shall be required by reason of the determination, but the payment shall not affect or otherwise limit any determination made as a result of any subsequent delinquencies. The employer, former employer, the auditor, comptroller, or disbursing officer of any pension fund, the State of Arkansas or any political subdivision thereof, or the United States shall deduct the amount as ordered from the moneys due or payable and forward it monthly as directed in the order. The court shall require the person to provide the court with his or her full name, address, and Social Security number. However, a Social Security number may be required only when permitted under federal law.