Bill suspending drivers' licenses of dead-beat parents advances in Senate
The bill is designed to reduce the $325 million owed in child-support payments by cracking down on those who miss payments.
HB83 "addresses the problem before it gets too big," said Stuart Ralphs, executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake.
The Legislature is trying to discourage noncustodial parents from purchasing luxuries for themselves when they do not pay for their children's basic needs.
Lori Russell, a local single mother, said her ex-husband bought a new Ford truck when he owed child-support money. Meanwhile, she drove a car that didn't have heat for 2 1/2 years.
Gordon Oversken spoke against the bill, which is known as the "deadbeat parent" bill, because he feels it unfairly targets noncustodial parents.
"There's shared responsibility," he said. "Both parents should have an obligation" to their children.
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