Child Support Accountabilty and Protection Act

Economy
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1

Child support is a vital financial resource intended to ensure the well-being of children. However, current systems lack oversight on how these funds are utilized, leading to concerns about potential misuse. To increase accountability, ensure financial transparency, and guarantee that child support payments directly benefit the child, I propose the implementation of a Child Support Debit Card System.

The proposed system would require that child support funds be disbursed via a restricted-use debit card, which can only be used for approved child-related expenses. This system would function similarly to an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card, preventing expenditures on non-essential items such as alcohol, gambling, or luxury goods.

As is the case with Health Savings Accounts, receipts are required to document purchases made with these funds. I believe this same system should be applied to Child Support, as well.

Key Features of the Child Support Debit Card System

  1. Direct Deposit to a Debit Card
  • All child support payments would be loaded onto a state-issued debit card for the custodial parent or legal guardian.
  • Cards would be linked to an account managed by the state child support agency.
  1. Restricted Spending Categories
  • Funds may only be used for approved expenses, including:
    • Food and groceries
    • Clothing and shoes for the child
    • School supplies and education expenses
    • Medical and dental care
    • Housing and utility contributions
    • Transportation costs related to child care

Prohibited purchases would include:
* Alcohol and tobacco
* Gambling and lottery tickets
* Adult entertainment
* Cash withdrawals

  1. Transaction Monitoring and Optional Reporting
  • Transactions would be automatically categorized, ensuring compliance with the approved spending list.
  • Custodial parents would have access to monthly statements for budgeting purposes.
  • Non-custodial parents could request a spending audit only in cases of reasonable suspicion, preventing excessive government interference.
  1. Emergency & Special Circumstances Exemptions
  • A process would be established for legitimate exceptions, such as emergency medical expenses or child care payments that require cash transactions.
  1. Implementation and Administration
  • The program would be managed by state child support enforcement agencies in partnership with financial institutions.
  • The system would be phased in gradually, ensuring custodial parents have ample time to adapt.

Benefits of the Proposal

  • Ensures child support funds are spent solely on necessities.
  • Provides clear records of transactions without excessive administrative burden.
  • Restricts funds from being spent on non-child-related luxuries.
  • Parents maintain financial freedom within child-related expenses while preventing fraud.
4 Likes
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Nah, lets just go with 50/50 shared parental right and custody with equalized time and do away with child support.

1 Like
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The cards should be coded to prevent use for junk food and soda. Cards would also stop the money from being used for drugs which is a common problem. I also think that there should be an incentive or “punishment” to stop these women from having more kids.

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4

What about abusive/ addict situations then? Or parents who aren’t in safe living situations? Parents split for a reason, and that reason isn’t usually just a petty squabble.

5

court statistics says you’re wrong, that’s a minority situation and children still do better with both biological parents.

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So we’re just supposed to let kids live in abusive and possibly dangerous environments because some statistic says it’s okay?

They don’t legally classify most things as abuse, especially if it’s not physical. As someone who has lived in an abusive household with a partner who also has an abusive parent. I don’t really care about whatever statistic some court makes when we have seen first hand what it does.