Louisiana § RS 46:236.11 - Louisiana disbursement unit for child support payments

§ RS 46:236.11. Louisiana disbursement unit for child support payments

            A. The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services shall create a state disbursement unit for collection and disbursement of child support.

            B.(1) This unit shall collect and disburse child support payments in cases being enforced by the state pursuant to this Subpart and 42 U.S.C. 654(4), and all child support orders as provided in R.S. 9:303. All applicable payments shall be sent directly to such unit by employers and payers.

            (2) The provisions of this Section shall apply to child support payments made through any court. Any such court may enter into a cooperative agreement with the secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services to authorize the department to collect those support payments and administrative costs collected and distributed by the court pursuant to R.S. 46:236.5(B). The department may retain an amount equal to the actual costs incurred in collecting and distributing the child support, including administrative costs. However, such amount shall not exceed one percent of the total amount collected for the court. The department shall distribute such amounts collected pursuant to this Subsection in accordance with federal regulations.

            (3) The unit shall use automated procedures to the extent feasible to ensure efficient collection and disbursement of support payments.

            (4) The unit shall distribute all collections within two business days after receipt from the employer or other source, if sufficient information identifying the payee is available except in cases where a timely appeal has been filed.

NOTE: Subsection C eff. until Oct. 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 477.

            C. The Department of Children and Family Services support enforcement program, office of children and family services, shall administer the state disbursement unit. The support enforcement program may contract for the provision of these services in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 17 of Subtitle III of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 and the Louisiana Procurement Code.

NOTE: Subsection C as amended by Acts 2025, No. 477, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.

            C. The Department of Children and Family Services, office of child support shall administer the state disbursement unit. The support enforcement program may contract for the provision of these services in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 17 of Subtitle III of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 and the Louisiana Procurement Code.

            Acts 1997, No. 1121, §2, eff. Oct. 1, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 562, §1, eff. Oct. 1, 1999; Acts 2014, No. 864, §§4 and 5; Acts 2025, No. 477, §15, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.