HD24 - Report of the Joint Subcommittee Studying Support Laws in the Commonwealth

  • Published: 1984
  • Author: Joint Subcommittee Studying Support Laws in the Commonwealth
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 74 (Regular Session, 1983)

Executive Summary:
Following a thorough review of Virginia's support laws, the joint subcommittee makes the following recommendations to increase the efficiency of our child support enforcement effort:

l. That juvenile courts be given jurisdiction over and power to dispose of controversies requiring a determination of paternity and be authorized to use amended evidence factors in § 20-61.1 to decide paternity.

2. That the party who does not prevail in a paternity determination pay the cost of any blood tests and that such test results may be submitted into evidence in writing under oath.

3. That the court must consider an award of joint custody if it appears to be in the best interest of the child.

4. That assignments of earnings under § 63.1-272 need not be subject to the requirements of § 40.1-31.

5. That all orders for support of a child direct that payments be made through the juvenile court clerk of court unless otherwise ordered by the court upon agreement of the parties or for good cause shown.

6. That the General Assembly enact a wage assignment statute which will serve to attach the wages of any parent obligated to pay child support who fails to make a required payment within 15 days of the due date.

7. That the Congress of the United States be memorialized to establish a national wage assignment law to facilitate the collection of child support.