The Division of Child Support Enforcement is hereby established within the Department of Health and Social Services. Said
Division shall constitute the IV-D agency authorized under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.).
In addition to the powers and duties described in this chapter, the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall have the power
to perform and be responsible for the performance of all duties and functions heretofore vested in the Division of Child Support
Enforcement under § 7930 of Title 29 [repealed] and the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement pursuant to Executive Order No.
76, dated June 30, 1975.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2202. Powers and duties.
The Division of Child Support Enforcement may:
(1) Accept, transfer and expend funds made available by the federal or state government or by another public or private source
for the purpose of carrying out this chapter;
(2) Adopt rules, regulations and procedures for the provision of child support services;
(3) Initiate legal and administrative actions necessary to implement this chapter; and
(4) Enter into contracts or agreements necessary to implement this chapter.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2203. Title IV-D services.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may provide all services required or authorized by Title IV-D of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), including parent locator services, determination of paternity, establishment of child
support and medical support obligations, review and adjustment of child support orders, enforcement of child support, spousal
support and medical support orders, and collection and disbursement of child support payments.
(b) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may enter into agreements or contracts with federal, state or other public or
private entities or individuals for the purpose of carrying out its duties and responsibilities under federal and state law.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2204. Support payments.
(a) In compliance with federal and state law, the Division of Child Support Enforcement is authorized to receive and disburse
support payments made on behalf of each obligee who is a recipient of public assistance, who signs an application to the Division
for child support services pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), or who receives child
support pursuant to an income withholding order issued by the Court or Division pursuant to § 513 of this title.
(b) In all cases in which the Division is authorized pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to receive and disburse support
payments, the Division may administratively change the payee to the Division. Such change shall not occur until the Division
has provided prior notice of the change to all parties under the support order and offered an opportunity for any party to
contest the change in payee. The Division shall establish procedures for a party to challenge the administrative change in
payee.
(c) A child support obligor shall have no right of reimbursement from the Division of Child Support Enforcement for any child
support payment received and disbursed by the Division to an obligee who is not a recipient of public assistance.
(d) Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, a child support payment shall not be subject to attachment,
garnishment or execution.
(e) In all cases in which the Division administratively changes the payee pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the
Division shall provide notice to all parties under the support order of the date of the obligor's final payment at the following
times, when applicable:
(1) Six months from the date of the final payment;
(2) Three months from the date of the final payment; and
(3) Upon receipt of the final payment.
(f) The Division shall establish procedures for applying the notice requirements as listed in subsection (e) of this section.
(g) In all cases when a child support wage attachment is in place, the Division shall immediately notify the noncustodial
parent's employer to immediately terminate the wage withholding when the parent's child support obligation has been satisfied.
(h) The Division may recoup payments that it has received and disbursed to a payee but which the payee was not entitled to
receive under the child support order. The Division shall give prior written notice to the payee of its intent to recoup.
The notice shall state the amount the Division intends to recoup and how it was determined, the manner in which the Division
intends to recoup the funds, and inform the payee of that payee's right to an administrative hearing prior to any recoupment.
If the payee fails to timely request a hearing, recoupment may proceed as described in the notice. The Division may recoup
such payments by withholding not more than 10% of each disbursement due to the payee until the Division is reimbursed in full.
Except as otherwise provided herein, all hearings and proceedings under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions
of the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29. Recoupment shall not apply to payments received and disbursed
pursuant to the terms of a child support order that is later modified.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 278, § 2; 73 Del. Laws, c. 342, § 1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 298, § 1.;
§ 2204A. Disbursement of support payments.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may establish a process to transfer support payments electronically to an account
designated by the obligee of the support order or to an alternate account that can be accessed by the obligee through an electronic
access card. The electronic transfer of support payments shall begin when the Department of Health and Social Services certifies
all necessary steps in the process are established and complete.
(b) When the process for electronic transfer of support payments is certified by the Department of Health and Social Services
and takes effect, all payments disbursed by the Division to an obligee shall be by electronic transfer of support payments
unless the Division grants a hardship exemption. Before the date on which electronic transfer of support payments takes effect,
the Division shall provide a notice to each obligee to whom it disburses support payments that includes the following:
(1) That the obligee has 20 days after the date of the notice to complete an authorization for automatic deposit form and
return it to the Division, and that if the obligee does not authorize direct deposit, the Division will issue an electronic
access card for receipt of support payments unless the obligee claims a hardship exemption as provided herein.
(2) That a request for a hardship exemption must be in writing and include documentation that supports the request.
(3) Information on the use and restrictions associated with the use of an electronic access card.
(c) The Division may disburse a support payment by check if any of the following conditions applies:
(1) Payment by check is necessary to meet federal requirements and electronic transfer is not feasible.
(2) The obligee is involved in legal proceedings that require payments to be sent to a trustee or representative payee.
(3) The obligee has not requested automatic deposit to a designated account of the obligee and has asserted in writing that
the use of an electronic access card will create an undue hardship because of a documented physical or mental disability.
(4) Payments on the support account are made so infrequently that the Division determines that disbursement of payments by
electronic transfer is impracticable.
(d) The Division may adopt policies to implement the process for payment by electronic process.
(e) For the purposes of this section, "electronic access card" means a stored value card that is issued by the Division and
in which support payments are deposited electronically in the same manner as automatic or direct deposit.
77 Del. Laws, c. 277, § 1.;
§ 2205. Administrative authority.
(a) In all cases enforced under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), the Division of Child Support
Enforcement is authorized to take the following actions for the purpose of establishing paternity or establishing, modifying
or enforcing a support order, without the necessity of obtaining a Court order:
(1) Order genetic testing for the purpose of establishing paternity;
(2) Request, and obtain access to, information on the employment, residential address, social security number, compensation
and benefits of any employee or contractor of an entity in the State, including for-profit, nonprofit and governmental employers,
and any member of a labor organization;
(3) Request, and obtain access to, information contained in the records of state and local government agencies regarding a
putative father, an obligor or an obligee, which includes, but is not limited to, the following:
a. State income tax returns and all other state income tax information including, but not limited to, documents or records
provided in support of a tax return by an employer, financial institution, or other holder or source of income;
b. Division of Motor Vehicles information including, but not limited to, proper name spelling, physical description, date
of birth, location and date of last contact with the Division of Motor Vehicles, license expiration date, vehicle registration,
violations and warrants;
c. Public housing authority records;
d. Vital statistics records and information including, but not limited to, birth, marriage, divorce and death records;
e. Criminal history record information including, but not limited to, arrest, conviction, incarceration, parole and employment
information;
f. Credit bureau information including, but not limited to, credit history and locations and dates of credit application;
g. Deed or title registry records; and
h. Any other information deemed necessary by the Division to assist in administering the child support program;
(4) Request, and obtain access to, information contained in the records of financial institutions with respect to individuals
who owe or are owed support (or against or with respect to whom a support obligation is sought);
(5) Issue an administrative subpoena to any individual, state or local government agency, private company, institution or
other entity seeking financial or other information needed to establish paternity or to establish, modify or enforce a support
order;
(6) Issue an administrative subpoena, pursuant to paragraph (a)(5) of this section, seeking the name, social security number,
residential address, employer and employment address of any parent or custodian that appears in the customer records of a
public utility or a cable television company;
(7) Order income withholding pursuant to § 513(b)(12) of this title; and
(8) Institute collection procedures pursuant to § 2207 of this title.
(b) Any individual, state or local government agency, private company, institution or other entity providing information in
response to a request by the Division or an administrative subpoena issued by the Division shall be immune from any civil
or criminal liability based on such compliance unless the individual, state or local government agency, private company, institution
or other entity knowingly provided false information.
(c) If any individual, private company, institution or other entity fails to comply with an administrative subpoena issued
by the Division of Child Support Enforcement, the Division may compel compliance with said subpoena by filing a motion to
compel in the Family Court, which shall have jurisdiction to hear such actions. The Family Court may order costs, attorney's
fees and/or a civil fine not to exceed $1,000 if the motion to compel is granted.
(d) Upon request, the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall make available information, as provided in this section,
for use by federal and state agencies conducting activities pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S. C.
§ 651 et seq.).
(e) Information obtained by the Division of Child Support Enforcement under this section shall be used only for purposes related
to the child support program administered pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.).
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2206. Confidentiality of records.
(a) Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, all files and records of services provided under Title IV-D of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), including information related to a custodial parent, noncustodial parent, child,
and an alleged, putative, or presumed father, are confidential, and for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act, Chapter
100 of Title 29, these files and records are specifically exempted from public disclosure.
(b) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may use or release information from the files and records for purposes directly
connected with the administration of the child support program, including the release of information to other state agencies
operated pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The Division may also release information from its files and records
to a consumer reporting agency in accordance with § 2217 of this title.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2207. Enforcement by the Division of Child Support Enforcement.
The Division of Child Support Enforcement is hereby authorized to initiate enforcement of any child or spousal support order
issued by a Court or administrative agency of this or any other state or jurisdiction that is being enforced pursuant to Title
IV, Part D, of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.). Said enforcement shall include, but not be limited to, income
withholding initiated pursuant to § 513 of this title; administratively adding an amount to be paid toward arrears in addition
to any current support amount ordered; demand letters; initiation of contempt proceedings; use of state and federal income
tax refund intercept programs; use of attachment, levy and garnishment; use of a private collection agency or contractor;
and any other civil remedy available for the enforcement of judgments or for the enforcement of support orders.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2208. State Directory of New Hires.
(a) General. -- There is hereby established within the Division of Child Support Enforcement an automated directory (to be
known as the "State Directory of New Hires") which shall contain information supplied by employers pursuant to § 1154(h) of
Title 30.
(b) Entry of information into data base. -- Within 5 business days of receipt of a report supplied by an employer pursuant
to § 1156A of Title 30, information included in the report shall be entered into the data base maintained by the State Directory
of New Hires.
(c) Information comparisons. -- The State Directory of New Hires shall, directly or by contract, conduct automated comparisons
of the social security numbers reported by employers pursuant to § 1156A of Title 30 and the social security numbers appearing
in the records of the State case registry. When an information comparison reveals a match with respect to the social security
number of an individual required to provide support under a support order, the State Directory of New Hires shall provide
the Division of Child Support Enforcement with the name, address and social security number of the employee to whom the social
security number is assigned, and the name, address and identifying number assigned under § 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 [26 U.S.C. § 6109] to the employer.
(d) Provision of information to the National Directory of New Hires. -- Within 3 business days after the date information
regarding a newly hired employee is entered into the State Directory of New Hires, the State Directory of New Hires shall
furnish the information to the National Directory of New Hires established pursuant to § 453(i) of Title IV, Part D, of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 653(i)). On a quarterly basis, the State Directory of New Hires shall also furnish to the
National Directory of New Hires extracts of the reports required under § 303(a)(6) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C.
§ 503(a)(6)] to be made to the Secretary of Labor concerning the wages and unemployment compensation paid to individuals,
by such dates, in such format, and containing such information as prescribed by federal regulation.
(e) Uses of new hire information. -- The State Directory of New Hires shall make the specified information available to the
following entities for the purposes described below.
(1) The State Directory of New Hires shall provide information derived from the comparison conducted pursuant to subsection
(c) of this section to the Division of Child Support Enforcement, which shall use the information to locate individuals for
purposes of establishing paternity and establishing, modifying and enforcing child support obligations.
(2) The State Directory of New Hires shall grant access to information provided by employers pursuant to § 1156A of Title
30 to the state agency responsible for administering a program specified in 42 U.S.C. § 1320b-7(b) for purposes of verifying
eligibility for the program.
(3) The State Directory of New Hires shall grant access to information provided by employers pursuant to § 1156A of Title
30 to the State Division of Unemployment Insurance for the purpose of administering the State's unemployment insurance services
program and the State Division of Industrial Affairs for the purpose of administering the Workers' Compensation Program.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2209. Notice of income withholding and National Medical Support Notice.
Within 2 business days after the date information regarding a newly hired employee is entered into the State Directory of
New Hires pursuant to § 2208(b) of this title, the Division shall transmit a notice to the employer of an employee whose child
support obligation is subject to enforcement by the Division directing the employer to withhold from the income of the employee
an amount equal to the monthly (or other periodic) child support obligation (including any past due support obligation or
retroactive support) of the employee, unless the employee's income is not subject to withholding under § 513(b)(1) of this
title and transfer the National Medical Support Notice to the employer.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 338, §§ 12, 13.;
§ 2210. Administrative enforcement in interstate cases.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may request the child support agency of a state or jurisdiction outside of Delaware
established pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), to enforce a child or spousal support
order entered by a tribunal in Delaware or in another state or jurisdiction. Such a request shall constitute a certification
by the Division of the amount of arrears and retroactive support, of the existence of a child support lien, and of compliance
with all procedural due process requirements applicable to the case.
(b) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may request the child support agency of a state or jurisdiction outside of Delaware
established pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.) to enforce and recognize a child support
lien. Such a request shall constitute a certification by the Division of the amount of arrears, and retroactive support of
the existence of a child support lien, and of compliance with all procedural due process requirements applicable to the case.
(c) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall establish procedures to respond to a request for enforcement from a child
support agency of a state or jurisdiction outside of Delaware established pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), without the necessity of registering the order or lien with the Court. Such a request shall constitute
a certification by the requesting State of the amount of arrears, and retroactive support of the existence of a child support
lien, and of compliance with all procedural due process requirements applicable to the case.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2211. Maintenance of records.
The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall maintain such records as may be required by federal and state law.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2212. Financial institution data matches.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall enter into agreements with financial institutions doing business within
this State to develop and operate, in coordination with such financial institutions, a data match system, using automated
data exchanges to the maximum extent feasible, in which each such financial institution shall:
(1) Provide once for each calendar quarter the name, record address, social security number or other taxpayer identification
number, and other identifying information for each noncustodial parent who maintains an account at such institution and who
owes past-due support, as previously identified to each financial institution by the State by name and social security number
or other taxpayer identification number; and
(2) In response to a notice of a lien or levy, encumber or surrender, as the case may be, once each calendar quarter, assets,
less applicable fees and penalties, held by such institution in an account of any noncustodial parent who is subject to a
child support lien pursuant to § 2215 of this title.
(b) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall pay a reasonable fee to a financial institution for conducting the data
match provided for in this subsection, not to exceed the actual costs incurred by such financial institution.
(c) In cases where there is a support arrearage and the noncustodial parent is subject to a child support lien pursuant to
§ 2215 of this title, the Division of Child Support Enforcement may, without the necessity of obtaining an order from any
other judicial or administrative tribunal, secure assets in such noncustodial parent's account, less applicable fees and penalties,
to satisfy the arrearage by attaching and seizing such assets of the obligor held in financial institutions. The Division
shall recognize and enforce the authority of state agencies of other states whereby the Division will enforce the child support
liens on behalf of such state agencies in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section.
(d) If the Division obtains a financial record of an individual from a financial institution pursuant to subsection (a) of
this section, the Division may disclose such financial record only for purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing,
modifying or enforcing a child support obligation of such individual.
(e) For purposes of this section, "financial institution" has the meaning given such term by 42 U.S.C. § 669a(d)(1). The term
"account" means a demand deposit account, checking or NOW account, savings account, time deposit account or money-market mutual
fund account.
(f) Each financial institution doing business within this State shall enter into an agreement with the Division of Child Support
Enforcement to develop and operate, in coordination with the Division, the financial institution data match system described
in this section. Those institutions which are not automated or compatible must identify themselves to the Division of Child
Support Enforcement within 180 days of passage of the legislation. The Division will work with these institutions to develop
a data exchange process that is not unduly burdensome to the institution or the Division.
(g) A financial institution shall not be liable under any state law to any person or government agency for:
(1) Any disclosure of information to the Division of Child Support Enforcement under § 2212 of this title; or
(2) Encumbering or surrendering any assets held by such financial institution in response to a notice of lien or levy issued
by the Division of Child Support Enforcement as provided in Title 13; or
(3) Any other action or omission taken in good faith to comply substantially with the requirements of § 2212 of this title.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2213. Parent locator information from interstate networks.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement (the "Division") shall have access to locator information contained in data
systems used by the State for purposes which include, but are not limited to, motor vehicle and law enforcement.
(b) Upon request, the Division shall make available locator information, as provided in subsection (a) of this section, for
use by federal and state agencies conducting activities pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651
et seq.). The Division may respond to a request for information, made under this section by any appropriate method including,
but not limited to, paper, facsimile, telephone, magnetic tape or other electronic means.
(c) Locator information obtained by the Division, as provided in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used only for the
purposes of, and to the extent necessary for, the administration of activities authorized by Part D of Title IV of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.). No entity or individual who complies with the provisions of this section shall be
liable in any civil or criminal action or proceeding brought by a putative father, an obligor or an obligee on account of
such compliance.
(d) The Director of the Division shall be responsible for the preparation of policy, procedures and directives as may be required
to implement this section.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2214. Collection and use of Social Security numbers.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall have access to the social security number of:
(1) Any applicant for a license as that has been defined in this section;
(2) Any applicant for a marriage license;
(3) Any individual who is subject to a divorce decree, support order or judgment, paternity order, or an acknowledgment of
paternity filed in this State pursuant to § 8-302 of Title 13 or §§ 3105 and 3121 of Title 16;
(4) Any individual who has died; and
(5) Any individual who is a petitioner or respondent in a paternity or child support proceeding filed in this State or in
an interstate action in which this State serves as the initiating or responding jurisdiction.
(b) Social security numbers collected pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be maintained in the records of the
collecting agency. In the case of individuals who have died, the Social Security number also shall appear on the face of the
death certificate.
(c) As used in this section, the term "license" means a commercial driver's license or license to operate a motor vehicle
issued or renewed under Chapter 26 or 27 of Title 21, a hunting, fishing and trapping license issued or renewed under Chapter
5 of Title 7, and a license, permit, certificate, approval, registration or other similar form of permission or authorization
to practice or engage in any profession, occupation or business issued or renewed by the Division of Revenue under Chapter
23, 25, 27 or 29 of Title 30, or by any commission, board or agency under the authority of the Division of Professional Regulation
which is named in § 8735 of Title 29 (but not including any license issued on behalf of a nonprofit applicant by the Gaming
Control Board as set forth in Chapter 15 of Title 28).
(d) Upon request, the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall make available locator information, as provided in subsection
(a) of this section, for use by federal and state agencies conducting activities pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.). The Division may respond to a request for information made under this section by any appropriate
method including, but not limited to, paper, facsimile, telephone, magnetic tape or other electronic means.
(e) If a tribunal or agency also uses an identifying number other than the Social Security number, the tribunal or agency
must so advise parties or applicants.
(f) The Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall be responsible for the preparation of policy, procedures,
and directives as may be required to implement this section.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 6, § 1.;
§ 2215. Child support liens.
(a) A child support installment or payment which is past due shall, as of the date on which it was due, be a lien in favor
of the obligee in an amount sufficient to satisfy the arrearage, whether the amount due is a fixed sum or is accruing periodically.
Such child support lien shall arise by operation of law, without the necessity of obtaining a judicial determination of the
arrearage or an order creating the lien, and such lien shall incorporate any unpaid child support which shall accrue while
the lien is in effect.
(b) From the time it is perfected as provided in this section, the child support lien arising under subsection (a) of this
section shall bind all real and personal property, and any interest in property, whether legal or equitable, of the obligor.
An interest in property acquired by the obligor after the child support lien arises shall be subject to such lien, subject
to the limitations described in subsection (l) of this section.
(c) A child support lien may be enforced as provided in this chapter or as otherwise provided by law.
(d) The remedies provided by this chapter do not affect the availability of other remedies provided by law to enforce liens
and judgments.
(e) A child support lien of another state must be recognized and given full faith and credit by a tribunal in this State,
without the necessity of a prior judicial notice or hearing.
(f) The IV-D agency, party or entity requesting enforcement in Delaware of a child support lien arising in another state shall
certify that the obligor is delinquent under a support order. In order to perfect the child support lien against real and
personal property in this State, the IV-D agency, party or entity seeking enforcement must comply with the notice requirements
of this section.
(g) Where an obligor has been ordered by the Court to pay child support and owes arrears or retroactive support in a case
enforced by the Division of Child Support Enforcement pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651,
et seq.), the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement may:
(1) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be placed upon the obligor's distributive share of a decedent's estate
by filing notice of a child support lien with the Register of Wills of the county in which the decedent's estate is being
administered and by sending copies of the notice by certified or registered mail to the obligor and to the personal representative
of the decedent. The notice shall contain the obligor's name and address, the obligor's social security number, if known,
the name of the obligee and the amount of arrears or retroactive support as of a specified date. The lien shall attach to
the obligor's distributive share upon the filing of the notice of the lien with the Register of Wills. Thereafter, the personal
representative of the decedent shall pay to the Director the lesser of the obligor's distributive share or the amount of arrears
or retroactive support. If the personal representative fails to pay the Director in accordance with the lien, the personal
representative shall be liable on the personal representative's bond to the Director, as the payee of the child support obligation;
(2) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be placed upon any claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, action or suit,
at law or in equity, of the obligor by filing notice of a child support lien with the Prothonotary or clerk of the court in
which the claim, counterclaim, cross-claim or other action or suit is pending and by sending a copy of the notice by certified
or registered mail to the obligor. The notice shall contain the obligor's name and address, the obligor's social security
number, if known, the name of the obligee, and the amount of arrears or retroactive support as of a specified date. Upon the
filing of the notice, the Prothonotary or clerk of the court shall mail a copy of the notice to the obligor and to all attorneys
and insurance carriers of record, if known, each of whom shall be deemed to have received the notice 5 days after the Prothonotary
or clerk mailed the notice. Any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making any payment or settlement
in full or partial satisfaction of any claim, counterclaim, cross-claim or other action or suit after the receipt of the notice
of lien shall be liable to the Director, as payee of the child support order, in an amount equal to the lesser of the payment
or settlement or the child support arrears or retroactive support; and the Director may enforce the child support lien in
an action in the Family Court against any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making the payment
or settlement;
(3) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be placed upon any demand or cause of action for negligence or personal
injury of the obligor by sending notice of a child support lien by certified or registered mail to the obligor, to the party
or parties alleged to be liable to the obligor, if known, and to their attorneys of record, if known. The notice shall contain
the obligor's names and address, the obligor's social security number, if known, the name of the obligee, and the amount of
arrears or retroactive support as of a specified date. The notice shall also instruct the party to whom it is directed to
deliver a copy of the notice to the party's insurance carrier, if any. The lien described in this paragraph shall attach to
any payment or settlement, after deducting expenses of recovery and attorneys' fees, made more than 5 days after the notice
is mailed. Any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making any payment or settlement in full or partial
satisfaction of any claim, counterclaim, cross-claim or other action or suit after the receipt of the notice of lien shall
be liable to the Director, as payee of the child support order, in an amount equal to the lesser of the payment or settlement
or the child support arrears or retroactive support; and the Director may enforce the child support lien in an action in the
Family Court against any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making the payment or settlement;
(4) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be placed upon any workers' compensation benefits payable to the obligor
by filing notice of a child support lien with the Secretary of the Industrial Accident Board and by sending a copy of the
notice by certified or registered mail to the obligor. The notice shall contain the obligor's name and address, the obligor's
social security number, if known, the name of the obligee, and the amount of arrears or retroactive support as of a specified
date. Upon the filing of the notice, the Secretary of the Industrial Accident Board shall mail a copy of the notice to the
obligor and to all attorneys and insurance carriers of record, each of whom shall be deemed to have received the notice 5
days after the date of mailing by the Secretary. The lien described in this paragraph shall attach to any Industrial Accident
Board award or any payment or settlement, after deducting expenses or recovery and attorneys fees, made more than 5 days after
the Secretary of the Industrial Accident Board mailed the notice. The lien described in this paragraph shall not take priority
over liens created by § 2363 of Title 19. Any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making any payment
or settlement in full or partial satisfaction of any claim, counterclaim, cross-claim or other action or suit after the receipt
of the notice of lien shall be liable to the Director, as payee of the child support order, in an amount equal to the lesser
of the payment or settlement or the child support arrears or retroactive support; and the Director may enforce the child support
lien in an action in the Family Court against any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making the
payment or settlement. This paragraph shall not apply to periodic workers' compensation payments from which child support
is paid by income attachment under § 513(b) of this title;
(5) Notwithstanding the provision of §§ 4733 and 4735 of Title 10 to the contrary, cause a lien for arrears or retroactive
support to be perfected against real property by filing a child support lien notice with the Prothonotary in the county where
the lien is sought to be filed. Upon the filing of the child support lien notice, the Prothonotary shall date and index the
child support lien as a judgment and mail the obligor a copy of the notice by certified or registered mail. The filing of
the child support lien notice shall constitute notice to all persons who are charged with notice of matters filed in such
office;
(6) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be perfected against accounts held by a financial institution by serving
a notice of child support lien and notice of levy on said institution. Within 20 days after the date it receives the notice,
the institution shall satisfy the lien by paying the amount of the lien to the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement,
as payee of the child support order, with any goods, chattels, rights, credits, money or effects of the obligor in the institution's
custody, possession, or control; and
(7) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be perfected against designated nonexempt personal property of the
obligor by filing a child support lien notice with the Prothonotary. The child support lien notice shall describe the designated
personal property against which it is perfected. Personal property subject to the child support lien includes, but is not
limited to, lump sum payments from a state or local agency, including, but not limited to, unemployment compensation and other
benefits, and public and private retirement funds, subject to § 514 of the Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [29 U.S.C.
§ 1144].
(h) For the purposes of this section, a child support lien notice must contain:
(1) The docket number or case number and identity of the court or administrative agency that entered the child support order;
(2) The name, address and, if known, the social security number of the obligor;
(3) The name and address, unless protected from disclosure by a court or administrative order or finding, of the obligee;
(4) The amount of arrears or retroactive support as of a specified date;
(5) The name, address and phone number of the public entity or individual to contact for the obligor's current payment record
and past-due arrearage; and
(6) The name and address of the person or agency to whom the payment of arrears and retroactive support shall be made.
(i) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall send timely written notice to the obligor by first-class mail of action
taken to perfect a child support lien, execute a levy, or seize the property. The notice shall specify the amount due, the
steps to be followed to release the property so placed under lien, levied upon or seized and the time period within which
to respond to such notice, and shall include the name of the court or administrative agency which entered the child support
order.
(1) The obligor may request an administrative review by filing a written request with the Division of Child Support Enforcement
within 20 days from the date the notice of child support lien was mailed. If the obligor files a timely written request for
an administrative review, the Division shall conduct the review within a reasonable time of such request and shall not dispose
of the subject property before the review is complete. The only issues to be addressed at the review hearing are whether the
obligor is the person named in the child support order from which the lien arises and whether any child support payment or
installment is past due. The records of the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall be presumptive of the amount in arrears
and of the obligor's payment history. Except as otherwise provided herein, all hearings under this section shall be in accordance
with the provision of the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29.
(2) The obligor may appeal a decision entered after an administrative hearing under this section to the Family Court. The
appeal shall be filed within 30 days of the day the notice of decision was mailed. The appeal shall a de novo review by to
the Family Court and shall be as provided in §§ 10102(4) and 10142 through 10145 of Title 29.
(j) The records of the Division of Child Support Enforcement, including records transmitted electronically, shall be presumptive
evidence of the amount of any lien for arrears or retroactive support. Any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance
carrier or a financial institution, who has received notice of any child support lien shall determine from the Division of
Child Support Enforcement the amount of unpaid arrears or retroactive support owed by the obligor as of the date such party
makes any payment to which a lien under this section attaches.
(k) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may file notice of a lien or release of a lien or may transmit accounting information
regarding an obligor's arrears and retroactive support by any means, including electronic means.
(l) Except as provided in paragraph (l)(2) of this section, a child support lien shall expire upon the termination of a current
child support obligation and payment in full of any arrears and retroactive support, or upon release of the lien by the Division
of Child Support Enforcement in the case of an order being enforced under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
§ 651 et seq.), or by the obligee in a non-IV-D case.
(1) When all arrears and retroactive child support have been paid in full, the Division of Child Support Enforcement, or the
obligee in a non-IV-D case, shall enter satisfaction of such lien or judgment on the record in the office where the same is
entered.
(2) The duration of a child support lien shall be 10 years from the date on which the notice of lien is properly served on
the holder of property; provided, however, that such lien may be renewed for another 10 years by complying with § 4711 of
Title 10. Expiration of the child support lien shall not terminate the underlying child support order or judgment or liquidate
any past due support or retroactive support.
(m) In any case where there has been a refusal or neglect to pay child support, regardless of whether a levy has been made,
the Division of Child Support Enforcement, in addition to any other remedies, may file a civil action to enforce the child
support lien. The filing of a civil action shall not preclude the Division of Child Support Enforcement from enforcing the
child support order through the use of any administrative procedures permitted by federal or state law.
(n) The remedies provided in this section shall be in addition to any other remedies for the enforcement of a support order.
(o) In the case of a motor vehicle, a child support lien does not attach until the lien is noted on the certificate of title
for such vehicle.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2216. Driver's, professional, occupational and business and recreational licenses.
(a) As used in this section and in § 516(g) of this title, the term "license" means a commercial driver license or license
to operate a motor vehicle issued or renewed under Chapter 26 or 27 of Title 21, a hunting, fishing or trapping license issued
or renewed under Chapter 5 of Title 7, and a license, permit, certificate, approval, registration or other similar form of
permission or authorization to practice or engage in any profession, occupation or business, issued or renewed by the Division
of Revenue under Chapter 23, 25, 27 or 29 of Title 30, or by any commission, board or agency under the authority of the Division
of Professional Regulation which is named in § 8735 of Title 29 (but not including any license issued on behalf of a nonprofit
applicant by the Gaming Control Board as set forth in Chapter 15 of Title 28).
(b) In order to provide for the denial or suspension of licenses to delinquent child support obligors, the Director of the
Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and
the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation shall each enter into a cooperative agreement with the Director of
the Division of Child Support Enforcement to make available or otherwise provide to the Director of the Division of Child
Support Enforcement information regarding any person who applies for or holds a license issued or renewed by their respective
divisions. The specific information and the manner and frequency with which it is made available or otherwise provided to
the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall be as determined by each cooperative agreement, but such information shall
be made available or otherwise provided at least once each calendar year. Each cooperative agreement shall be revised as necessary
to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this section. From such information provided by the Division of Motor Vehicles,
the Division of Revenue, the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Division of Professional Regulation, the Division of Child
Support Enforcement, at such intervals as it determines, may identify such applicants or licensees who are delinquent child
support obligors as described in this section, and undertake enforcement action pursuant to this section.
(c) Subject to the notice and hearing provisions of this section, the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement
may give notice that a license shall not be issued or renewed by the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Revenue,
the Division of Fish and Wildlife or by any commission, board or agency under the authority of the Division of Professional
Regulation which is named in § 8735 of Title 29 if:
(1) The applicant is the subject of an outstanding capias or bench warrant issued by the Family Court for failure to appear
at any paternity or child support proceeding in a case enforced by the Division of Child Support Enforcement pursuant to Title
IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651, et seq.); or
(2) The applicant is under an order of the Family Court to pay child support in a case enforced by the Division of Child Support
Enforcement pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651, et seq.), owes $1,000.00 or more in arrears
or retroactive support, and is 30 or more days delinquent in payment of the support order.
(d) Subject to the notice and hearing provisions of this section, the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement
may give notice that a license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Revenue, the Division of Fish and
Wildlife or by any commission, board or agency under the authority of the Division of Professional Regulation which is named
in § 8735 of Title 29 shall be suspended if:
(1) The licensee is the subject of an outstanding capias or bench warrant issued by the Family Court for failure to appear
at any paternity or child support proceeding in a case enforced by the Division of Child Support Enforcement pursuant to Title
IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651, et seq.); or
(2) The licensee is under an order of the Family Court to pay child support in a case enforced by the Division of Child Support
Enforcement pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), owes $1,000.00 or more in arrears
or retroactive support, and is 30 or more days delinquent in payment of the support order.
(e) The Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall give written notice of the proposed denial or suspension
of a license to the obligor, together with the amount of arrears or retroactive support and the date of the last payment on
the child support order. The denial or suspension of the license becomes effective upon final written notice to the obligor
from the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division
of Fish and Wildlife and/or the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation unless, within 20 days of the date the
notice of proposed denial or suspension is mailed by the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement, the obligor:
(1) Requests in writing an administrative hearing before the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement or the
Director's designee;
(2) Pays the arrears or retroactive support in full;
(3) Surrenders to the Family Court on any outstanding capias or bench warrant and pays any arrears or retroactive support
in full; or
(4) Consents to a payment plan acceptable to the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement or the Director's designee,
and fully complies therewith.
(f) The Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement or the Director's designee shall convene a hearing within 30
days after receipt of the obligor's timely written request, and shall issue a written decision within 5 working days after
the hearing. The only issues to be addressed at the hearing are whether the applicant or licensee is the obligor named in
the child support order; whether the obligor owes $1,000.00 or more in arrears or retroactive support; and whether the obligor
is 30 or more days delinquent in payment of the child support order. No evidence of the appropriateness of the child support
order or of the obligor's ability to comply shall be received or considered at the hearing. The records of the Division of
Child Support Enforcement shall be presumptive of the amount of arrears or retroactive child support and of the obligor's
payment history.
(g) If the obligor fails to timely request a hearing or to otherwise timely comply with the requirements of subsection (e)
of this section to avoid denial or suspension of the license, upon the issuance of a written decision adverse to the obligor
after a hearing, or upon order of the Family Court pursuant to § 516(g) of this title, the Director of the Division of Child
Support Enforcement may notify the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the
Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and/or the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation that the provisions
of this section for denial or suspension of the obligor's license have been met. Such notification may be made electronically,
by computer or by such other means as the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement and the Director of the Division
of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Director
of the Division of Professional Regulation may agree, and such notification shall constitute sufficient authority for the
denial or suspension of any license. The Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue,
the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and/or the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation shall forthwith
deny the issuance or renewal of any license, or suspend the same, and so notify the applicant or licensee in writing. The
notice from the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall be conclusive, and the action of the Director
of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife
and/or the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation in compliance therewith shall be effective 4 days after the
date notice of same is mailed to the obligor at the address on record at the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Revenue,
the Division of Fish and Wildlife or the Division of Professional Regulation. The obligor shall remain ineligible for the
issuance, renewal or reinstatement of any license until the obligor obtains from the Director of the Division of Child Support
Enforcement or his or her designee written certification that the grounds for denial or suspension of a license under this
section no longer exist or by order of the Family Court pursuant to § 516(h) of this title.
(h) Except as otherwise provided herein, all hearings and proceedings under this section shall be in accordance with the provisions
of the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29.
(i) The obligor may appeal a decision entered after a hearing under this section to the Family Court. The appeal shall be
filed within 30 days of the day the notice of decision is mailed by the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director
of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife or the Director of the Division of Professional
Regulation. The appeal shall be on the record to the Family Court and shall be as provided in §§ 10102(4) and 10142 through
10145 of Title 29.
(j) The process described in this section shall constitute the sole remedy for contesting the denial or suspension of a license
based on the grounds in this section.
(k) The remedies provided in this section shall be in addition to any other remedies for the enforcement of a support order.
(l) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the Family Court's authority to order the denial or suspension
of any license as provided in § 516(g) of this title. Failure of the Family Court to order denial or suspension of a license
under § 516(g) of this title shall not in any way limit or affect the authority to deny or suspend a license as provided in
this section except as provided in § 516(h) of this title.
(m) The Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement may enter into such agreements with the Director of the Division
of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Director
of the Division of Professional Regulation and such other agencies as may be appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this
section.
70 Del. Laws, c. 452, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 216, §§ 60-74; 75 Del. Laws, c. 207, §§ 2, 3, 4.;
§ 2217. Credit bureau reporting.
Information regarding the amount of arrearages owed by an obligor shall be reported by the Division of Child Support Enforcement,
at such intervals as it determines, to consumer reporting agencies, as that term is defined in 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(f), or be
made available by the Division of Child Support Enforcement to any consumer reporting agency upon request, subject to the
following:
(1) The amount of arrearages are not less than $500.
(2) The information shall be made available only after the obligor owing the arrearages has been notified of the proposed
action and given a period of 20 days to contest the accuracy of the information.
(3) A fee for furnishing the information in an amount not exceeding the actual cost thereof may be imposed on the requesting
consumer reporting agency by the Division of Child Support Enforcement.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2218. Requests for information.
(a) Upon receipt of a written request or a request by electronic means, where available, from the Director of the Division
of Child Support Enforcement in any case enforced by the Division pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
§ 651 et seq.), any employer, as that term is defined in § 513(b)(6) of this title, and any labor organization, as that term
is defined in § 710 of Title 19, shall cooperate with and provide relevant employment and income information in the possession
of such employer or labor organization to the Director or the Director's designee for the purpose of establishing paternity
or establishing, modifying or enforcing a child support order. Relevant employment and income information includes: the address
of the employer; whether the named person is a current or past employee or contractor of the employer, or whether the named
person has or has not been employed or hired as a contractor to the knowledge of the labor organization; the full name of
the employee, contractor or member; the last known residential address of the employee, contractor or member; the date of
birth of the employee, contractor or member; the social security number of the employee, contractor or member; all income,
as that term is defined in § 513(b)(5) of this title, paid to the employee, contractor or member in the prior and current
calendar year and the current rate of pay and benefits provided to the employee, member or contractor; and whether dependent
health insurance coverage is available to the employee or member through employment or membership in the labor organization,
together with information about the name of the health care insurer and the extent of the coverage available.
(b) An employer or labor organization shall be immune from any liability for providing information pursuant to this subsection.
(c) Any employer or labor organization that fails or refuses to provide the information described in this section within 15
days after receipt of a request from the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement or as otherwise provided in
such request shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500. For a second or subsequent offense, such
employer or labor organization shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000. A fine under this section may not be
suspended. If the employer or labor organization is a corporation, criminal liability shall be established pursuant to §§
281-284 of Title 11.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2219. Obligation of parties to provide information.
Each party shall receive written notice, which may be contained in the support judgment or order, that he or she is required
to keep the court informed of his or her current residential address, drivers license number, telephone number, employer,
employer address and employer telephone number.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2220. Definitions.
Unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the same
meaning as those defined in § 401(b) of this title.
The Division of Child Support Enforcement is hereby established within the Department of Health and Social Services. Said
Division shall constitute the IV-D agency authorized under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.).
In addition to the powers and duties described in this chapter, the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall have the power
to perform and be responsible for the performance of all duties and functions heretofore vested in the Division of Child Support
Enforcement under § 7930 of Title 29 [repealed] and the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement pursuant to Executive Order No.
76, dated June 30, 1975.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2202. Powers and duties.
The Division of Child Support Enforcement may:
(1) Accept, transfer and expend funds made available by the federal or state government or by another public or private source
for the purpose of carrying out this chapter;
(2) Adopt rules, regulations and procedures for the provision of child support services;
(3) Initiate legal and administrative actions necessary to implement this chapter; and
(4) Enter into contracts or agreements necessary to implement this chapter.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2203. Title IV-D services.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may provide all services required or authorized by Title IV-D of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), including parent locator services, determination of paternity, establishment of child
support and medical support obligations, review and adjustment of child support orders, enforcement of child support, spousal
support and medical support orders, and collection and disbursement of child support payments.
(b) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may enter into agreements or contracts with federal, state or other public or
private entities or individuals for the purpose of carrying out its duties and responsibilities under federal and state law.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2204. Support payments.
(a) In compliance with federal and state law, the Division of Child Support Enforcement is authorized to receive and disburse
support payments made on behalf of each obligee who is a recipient of public assistance, who signs an application to the Division
for child support services pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), or who receives child
support pursuant to an income withholding order issued by the Court or Division pursuant to § 513 of this title.
(b) In all cases in which the Division is authorized pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to receive and disburse support
payments, the Division may administratively change the payee to the Division. Such change shall not occur until the Division
has provided prior notice of the change to all parties under the support order and offered an opportunity for any party to
contest the change in payee. The Division shall establish procedures for a party to challenge the administrative change in
payee.
(c) A child support obligor shall have no right of reimbursement from the Division of Child Support Enforcement for any child
support payment received and disbursed by the Division to an obligee who is not a recipient of public assistance.
(d) Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, a child support payment shall not be subject to attachment,
garnishment or execution.
(e) In all cases in which the Division administratively changes the payee pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the
Division shall provide notice to all parties under the support order of the date of the obligor's final payment at the following
times, when applicable:
(1) Six months from the date of the final payment;
(2) Three months from the date of the final payment; and
(3) Upon receipt of the final payment.
(f) The Division shall establish procedures for applying the notice requirements as listed in subsection (e) of this section.
(g) In all cases when a child support wage attachment is in place, the Division shall immediately notify the noncustodial
parent's employer to immediately terminate the wage withholding when the parent's child support obligation has been satisfied.
(h) The Division may recoup payments that it has received and disbursed to a payee but which the payee was not entitled to
receive under the child support order. The Division shall give prior written notice to the payee of its intent to recoup.
The notice shall state the amount the Division intends to recoup and how it was determined, the manner in which the Division
intends to recoup the funds, and inform the payee of that payee's right to an administrative hearing prior to any recoupment.
If the payee fails to timely request a hearing, recoupment may proceed as described in the notice. The Division may recoup
such payments by withholding not more than 10% of each disbursement due to the payee until the Division is reimbursed in full.
Except as otherwise provided herein, all hearings and proceedings under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions
of the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29. Recoupment shall not apply to payments received and disbursed
pursuant to the terms of a child support order that is later modified.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 278, § 2; 73 Del. Laws, c. 342, § 1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 298, § 1.;
§ 2204A. Disbursement of support payments.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may establish a process to transfer support payments electronically to an account
designated by the obligee of the support order or to an alternate account that can be accessed by the obligee through an electronic
access card. The electronic transfer of support payments shall begin when the Department of Health and Social Services certifies
all necessary steps in the process are established and complete.
(b) When the process for electronic transfer of support payments is certified by the Department of Health and Social Services
and takes effect, all payments disbursed by the Division to an obligee shall be by electronic transfer of support payments
unless the Division grants a hardship exemption. Before the date on which electronic transfer of support payments takes effect,
the Division shall provide a notice to each obligee to whom it disburses support payments that includes the following:
(1) That the obligee has 20 days after the date of the notice to complete an authorization for automatic deposit form and
return it to the Division, and that if the obligee does not authorize direct deposit, the Division will issue an electronic
access card for receipt of support payments unless the obligee claims a hardship exemption as provided herein.
(2) That a request for a hardship exemption must be in writing and include documentation that supports the request.
(3) Information on the use and restrictions associated with the use of an electronic access card.
(c) The Division may disburse a support payment by check if any of the following conditions applies:
(1) Payment by check is necessary to meet federal requirements and electronic transfer is not feasible.
(2) The obligee is involved in legal proceedings that require payments to be sent to a trustee or representative payee.
(3) The obligee has not requested automatic deposit to a designated account of the obligee and has asserted in writing that
the use of an electronic access card will create an undue hardship because of a documented physical or mental disability.
(4) Payments on the support account are made so infrequently that the Division determines that disbursement of payments by
electronic transfer is impracticable.
(d) The Division may adopt policies to implement the process for payment by electronic process.
(e) For the purposes of this section, "electronic access card" means a stored value card that is issued by the Division and
in which support payments are deposited electronically in the same manner as automatic or direct deposit.
77 Del. Laws, c. 277, § 1.;
§ 2205. Administrative authority.
(a) In all cases enforced under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), the Division of Child Support
Enforcement is authorized to take the following actions for the purpose of establishing paternity or establishing, modifying
or enforcing a support order, without the necessity of obtaining a Court order:
(1) Order genetic testing for the purpose of establishing paternity;
(2) Request, and obtain access to, information on the employment, residential address, social security number, compensation
and benefits of any employee or contractor of an entity in the State, including for-profit, nonprofit and governmental employers,
and any member of a labor organization;
(3) Request, and obtain access to, information contained in the records of state and local government agencies regarding a
putative father, an obligor or an obligee, which includes, but is not limited to, the following:
a. State income tax returns and all other state income tax information including, but not limited to, documents or records
provided in support of a tax return by an employer, financial institution, or other holder or source of income;
b. Division of Motor Vehicles information including, but not limited to, proper name spelling, physical description, date
of birth, location and date of last contact with the Division of Motor Vehicles, license expiration date, vehicle registration,
violations and warrants;
c. Public housing authority records;
d. Vital statistics records and information including, but not limited to, birth, marriage, divorce and death records;
e. Criminal history record information including, but not limited to, arrest, conviction, incarceration, parole and employment
information;
f. Credit bureau information including, but not limited to, credit history and locations and dates of credit application;
g. Deed or title registry records; and
h. Any other information deemed necessary by the Division to assist in administering the child support program;
(4) Request, and obtain access to, information contained in the records of financial institutions with respect to individuals
who owe or are owed support (or against or with respect to whom a support obligation is sought);
(5) Issue an administrative subpoena to any individual, state or local government agency, private company, institution or
other entity seeking financial or other information needed to establish paternity or to establish, modify or enforce a support
order;
(6) Issue an administrative subpoena, pursuant to paragraph (a)(5) of this section, seeking the name, social security number,
residential address, employer and employment address of any parent or custodian that appears in the customer records of a
public utility or a cable television company;
(7) Order income withholding pursuant to § 513(b)(12) of this title; and
(8) Institute collection procedures pursuant to § 2207 of this title.
(b) Any individual, state or local government agency, private company, institution or other entity providing information in
response to a request by the Division or an administrative subpoena issued by the Division shall be immune from any civil
or criminal liability based on such compliance unless the individual, state or local government agency, private company, institution
or other entity knowingly provided false information.
(c) If any individual, private company, institution or other entity fails to comply with an administrative subpoena issued
by the Division of Child Support Enforcement, the Division may compel compliance with said subpoena by filing a motion to
compel in the Family Court, which shall have jurisdiction to hear such actions. The Family Court may order costs, attorney's
fees and/or a civil fine not to exceed $1,000 if the motion to compel is granted.
(d) Upon request, the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall make available information, as provided in this section,
for use by federal and state agencies conducting activities pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S. C.
§ 651 et seq.).
(e) Information obtained by the Division of Child Support Enforcement under this section shall be used only for purposes related
to the child support program administered pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.).
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2206. Confidentiality of records.
(a) Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, all files and records of services provided under Title IV-D of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), including information related to a custodial parent, noncustodial parent, child,
and an alleged, putative, or presumed father, are confidential, and for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act, Chapter
100 of Title 29, these files and records are specifically exempted from public disclosure.
(b) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may use or release information from the files and records for purposes directly
connected with the administration of the child support program, including the release of information to other state agencies
operated pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The Division may also release information from its files and records
to a consumer reporting agency in accordance with § 2217 of this title.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2207. Enforcement by the Division of Child Support Enforcement.
The Division of Child Support Enforcement is hereby authorized to initiate enforcement of any child or spousal support order
issued by a Court or administrative agency of this or any other state or jurisdiction that is being enforced pursuant to Title
IV, Part D, of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.). Said enforcement shall include, but not be limited to, income
withholding initiated pursuant to § 513 of this title; administratively adding an amount to be paid toward arrears in addition
to any current support amount ordered; demand letters; initiation of contempt proceedings; use of state and federal income
tax refund intercept programs; use of attachment, levy and garnishment; use of a private collection agency or contractor;
and any other civil remedy available for the enforcement of judgments or for the enforcement of support orders.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2208. State Directory of New Hires.
(a) General. -- There is hereby established within the Division of Child Support Enforcement an automated directory (to be
known as the "State Directory of New Hires") which shall contain information supplied by employers pursuant to § 1154(h) of
Title 30.
(b) Entry of information into data base. -- Within 5 business days of receipt of a report supplied by an employer pursuant
to § 1156A of Title 30, information included in the report shall be entered into the data base maintained by the State Directory
of New Hires.
(c) Information comparisons. -- The State Directory of New Hires shall, directly or by contract, conduct automated comparisons
of the social security numbers reported by employers pursuant to § 1156A of Title 30 and the social security numbers appearing
in the records of the State case registry. When an information comparison reveals a match with respect to the social security
number of an individual required to provide support under a support order, the State Directory of New Hires shall provide
the Division of Child Support Enforcement with the name, address and social security number of the employee to whom the social
security number is assigned, and the name, address and identifying number assigned under § 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 [26 U.S.C. § 6109] to the employer.
(d) Provision of information to the National Directory of New Hires. -- Within 3 business days after the date information
regarding a newly hired employee is entered into the State Directory of New Hires, the State Directory of New Hires shall
furnish the information to the National Directory of New Hires established pursuant to § 453(i) of Title IV, Part D, of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 653(i)). On a quarterly basis, the State Directory of New Hires shall also furnish to the
National Directory of New Hires extracts of the reports required under § 303(a)(6) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C.
§ 503(a)(6)] to be made to the Secretary of Labor concerning the wages and unemployment compensation paid to individuals,
by such dates, in such format, and containing such information as prescribed by federal regulation.
(e) Uses of new hire information. -- The State Directory of New Hires shall make the specified information available to the
following entities for the purposes described below.
(1) The State Directory of New Hires shall provide information derived from the comparison conducted pursuant to subsection
(c) of this section to the Division of Child Support Enforcement, which shall use the information to locate individuals for
purposes of establishing paternity and establishing, modifying and enforcing child support obligations.
(2) The State Directory of New Hires shall grant access to information provided by employers pursuant to § 1156A of Title
30 to the state agency responsible for administering a program specified in 42 U.S.C. § 1320b-7(b) for purposes of verifying
eligibility for the program.
(3) The State Directory of New Hires shall grant access to information provided by employers pursuant to § 1156A of Title
30 to the State Division of Unemployment Insurance for the purpose of administering the State's unemployment insurance services
program and the State Division of Industrial Affairs for the purpose of administering the Workers' Compensation Program.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2209. Notice of income withholding and National Medical Support Notice.
Within 2 business days after the date information regarding a newly hired employee is entered into the State Directory of
New Hires pursuant to § 2208(b) of this title, the Division shall transmit a notice to the employer of an employee whose child
support obligation is subject to enforcement by the Division directing the employer to withhold from the income of the employee
an amount equal to the monthly (or other periodic) child support obligation (including any past due support obligation or
retroactive support) of the employee, unless the employee's income is not subject to withholding under § 513(b)(1) of this
title and transfer the National Medical Support Notice to the employer.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 338, §§ 12, 13.;
§ 2210. Administrative enforcement in interstate cases.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may request the child support agency of a state or jurisdiction outside of Delaware
established pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), to enforce a child or spousal support
order entered by a tribunal in Delaware or in another state or jurisdiction. Such a request shall constitute a certification
by the Division of the amount of arrears and retroactive support, of the existence of a child support lien, and of compliance
with all procedural due process requirements applicable to the case.
(b) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may request the child support agency of a state or jurisdiction outside of Delaware
established pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.) to enforce and recognize a child support
lien. Such a request shall constitute a certification by the Division of the amount of arrears, and retroactive support of
the existence of a child support lien, and of compliance with all procedural due process requirements applicable to the case.
(c) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall establish procedures to respond to a request for enforcement from a child
support agency of a state or jurisdiction outside of Delaware established pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), without the necessity of registering the order or lien with the Court. Such a request shall constitute
a certification by the requesting State of the amount of arrears, and retroactive support of the existence of a child support
lien, and of compliance with all procedural due process requirements applicable to the case.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2211. Maintenance of records.
The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall maintain such records as may be required by federal and state law.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2212. Financial institution data matches.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall enter into agreements with financial institutions doing business within
this State to develop and operate, in coordination with such financial institutions, a data match system, using automated
data exchanges to the maximum extent feasible, in which each such financial institution shall:
(1) Provide once for each calendar quarter the name, record address, social security number or other taxpayer identification
number, and other identifying information for each noncustodial parent who maintains an account at such institution and who
owes past-due support, as previously identified to each financial institution by the State by name and social security number
or other taxpayer identification number; and
(2) In response to a notice of a lien or levy, encumber or surrender, as the case may be, once each calendar quarter, assets,
less applicable fees and penalties, held by such institution in an account of any noncustodial parent who is subject to a
child support lien pursuant to § 2215 of this title.
(b) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall pay a reasonable fee to a financial institution for conducting the data
match provided for in this subsection, not to exceed the actual costs incurred by such financial institution.
(c) In cases where there is a support arrearage and the noncustodial parent is subject to a child support lien pursuant to
§ 2215 of this title, the Division of Child Support Enforcement may, without the necessity of obtaining an order from any
other judicial or administrative tribunal, secure assets in such noncustodial parent's account, less applicable fees and penalties,
to satisfy the arrearage by attaching and seizing such assets of the obligor held in financial institutions. The Division
shall recognize and enforce the authority of state agencies of other states whereby the Division will enforce the child support
liens on behalf of such state agencies in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section.
(d) If the Division obtains a financial record of an individual from a financial institution pursuant to subsection (a) of
this section, the Division may disclose such financial record only for purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing,
modifying or enforcing a child support obligation of such individual.
(e) For purposes of this section, "financial institution" has the meaning given such term by 42 U.S.C. § 669a(d)(1). The term
"account" means a demand deposit account, checking or NOW account, savings account, time deposit account or money-market mutual
fund account.
(f) Each financial institution doing business within this State shall enter into an agreement with the Division of Child Support
Enforcement to develop and operate, in coordination with the Division, the financial institution data match system described
in this section. Those institutions which are not automated or compatible must identify themselves to the Division of Child
Support Enforcement within 180 days of passage of the legislation. The Division will work with these institutions to develop
a data exchange process that is not unduly burdensome to the institution or the Division.
(g) A financial institution shall not be liable under any state law to any person or government agency for:
(1) Any disclosure of information to the Division of Child Support Enforcement under § 2212 of this title; or
(2) Encumbering or surrendering any assets held by such financial institution in response to a notice of lien or levy issued
by the Division of Child Support Enforcement as provided in Title 13; or
(3) Any other action or omission taken in good faith to comply substantially with the requirements of § 2212 of this title.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2213. Parent locator information from interstate networks.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement (the "Division") shall have access to locator information contained in data
systems used by the State for purposes which include, but are not limited to, motor vehicle and law enforcement.
(b) Upon request, the Division shall make available locator information, as provided in subsection (a) of this section, for
use by federal and state agencies conducting activities pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651
et seq.). The Division may respond to a request for information, made under this section by any appropriate method including,
but not limited to, paper, facsimile, telephone, magnetic tape or other electronic means.
(c) Locator information obtained by the Division, as provided in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used only for the
purposes of, and to the extent necessary for, the administration of activities authorized by Part D of Title IV of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.). No entity or individual who complies with the provisions of this section shall be
liable in any civil or criminal action or proceeding brought by a putative father, an obligor or an obligee on account of
such compliance.
(d) The Director of the Division shall be responsible for the preparation of policy, procedures and directives as may be required
to implement this section.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2214. Collection and use of Social Security numbers.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall have access to the social security number of:
(1) Any applicant for a license as that has been defined in this section;
(2) Any applicant for a marriage license;
(3) Any individual who is subject to a divorce decree, support order or judgment, paternity order, or an acknowledgment of
paternity filed in this State pursuant to § 8-302 of Title 13 or §§ 3105 and 3121 of Title 16;
(4) Any individual who has died; and
(5) Any individual who is a petitioner or respondent in a paternity or child support proceeding filed in this State or in
an interstate action in which this State serves as the initiating or responding jurisdiction.
(b) Social security numbers collected pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be maintained in the records of the
collecting agency. In the case of individuals who have died, the Social Security number also shall appear on the face of the
death certificate.
(c) As used in this section, the term "license" means a commercial driver's license or license to operate a motor vehicle
issued or renewed under Chapter 26 or 27 of Title 21, a hunting, fishing and trapping license issued or renewed under Chapter
5 of Title 7, and a license, permit, certificate, approval, registration or other similar form of permission or authorization
to practice or engage in any profession, occupation or business issued or renewed by the Division of Revenue under Chapter
23, 25, 27 or 29 of Title 30, or by any commission, board or agency under the authority of the Division of Professional Regulation
which is named in § 8735 of Title 29 (but not including any license issued on behalf of a nonprofit applicant by the Gaming
Control Board as set forth in Chapter 15 of Title 28).
(d) Upon request, the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall make available locator information, as provided in subsection
(a) of this section, for use by federal and state agencies conducting activities pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.). The Division may respond to a request for information made under this section by any appropriate
method including, but not limited to, paper, facsimile, telephone, magnetic tape or other electronic means.
(e) If a tribunal or agency also uses an identifying number other than the Social Security number, the tribunal or agency
must so advise parties or applicants.
(f) The Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall be responsible for the preparation of policy, procedures,
and directives as may be required to implement this section.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 6, § 1.;
§ 2215. Child support liens.
(a) A child support installment or payment which is past due shall, as of the date on which it was due, be a lien in favor
of the obligee in an amount sufficient to satisfy the arrearage, whether the amount due is a fixed sum or is accruing periodically.
Such child support lien shall arise by operation of law, without the necessity of obtaining a judicial determination of the
arrearage or an order creating the lien, and such lien shall incorporate any unpaid child support which shall accrue while
the lien is in effect.
(b) From the time it is perfected as provided in this section, the child support lien arising under subsection (a) of this
section shall bind all real and personal property, and any interest in property, whether legal or equitable, of the obligor.
An interest in property acquired by the obligor after the child support lien arises shall be subject to such lien, subject
to the limitations described in subsection (l) of this section.
(c) A child support lien may be enforced as provided in this chapter or as otherwise provided by law.
(d) The remedies provided by this chapter do not affect the availability of other remedies provided by law to enforce liens
and judgments.
(e) A child support lien of another state must be recognized and given full faith and credit by a tribunal in this State,
without the necessity of a prior judicial notice or hearing.
(f) The IV-D agency, party or entity requesting enforcement in Delaware of a child support lien arising in another state shall
certify that the obligor is delinquent under a support order. In order to perfect the child support lien against real and
personal property in this State, the IV-D agency, party or entity seeking enforcement must comply with the notice requirements
of this section.
(g) Where an obligor has been ordered by the Court to pay child support and owes arrears or retroactive support in a case
enforced by the Division of Child Support Enforcement pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651,
et seq.), the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement may:
(1) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be placed upon the obligor's distributive share of a decedent's estate
by filing notice of a child support lien with the Register of Wills of the county in which the decedent's estate is being
administered and by sending copies of the notice by certified or registered mail to the obligor and to the personal representative
of the decedent. The notice shall contain the obligor's name and address, the obligor's social security number, if known,
the name of the obligee and the amount of arrears or retroactive support as of a specified date. The lien shall attach to
the obligor's distributive share upon the filing of the notice of the lien with the Register of Wills. Thereafter, the personal
representative of the decedent shall pay to the Director the lesser of the obligor's distributive share or the amount of arrears
or retroactive support. If the personal representative fails to pay the Director in accordance with the lien, the personal
representative shall be liable on the personal representative's bond to the Director, as the payee of the child support obligation;
(2) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be placed upon any claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, action or suit,
at law or in equity, of the obligor by filing notice of a child support lien with the Prothonotary or clerk of the court in
which the claim, counterclaim, cross-claim or other action or suit is pending and by sending a copy of the notice by certified
or registered mail to the obligor. The notice shall contain the obligor's name and address, the obligor's social security
number, if known, the name of the obligee, and the amount of arrears or retroactive support as of a specified date. Upon the
filing of the notice, the Prothonotary or clerk of the court shall mail a copy of the notice to the obligor and to all attorneys
and insurance carriers of record, if known, each of whom shall be deemed to have received the notice 5 days after the Prothonotary
or clerk mailed the notice. Any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making any payment or settlement
in full or partial satisfaction of any claim, counterclaim, cross-claim or other action or suit after the receipt of the notice
of lien shall be liable to the Director, as payee of the child support order, in an amount equal to the lesser of the payment
or settlement or the child support arrears or retroactive support; and the Director may enforce the child support lien in
an action in the Family Court against any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making the payment
or settlement;
(3) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be placed upon any demand or cause of action for negligence or personal
injury of the obligor by sending notice of a child support lien by certified or registered mail to the obligor, to the party
or parties alleged to be liable to the obligor, if known, and to their attorneys of record, if known. The notice shall contain
the obligor's names and address, the obligor's social security number, if known, the name of the obligee, and the amount of
arrears or retroactive support as of a specified date. The notice shall also instruct the party to whom it is directed to
deliver a copy of the notice to the party's insurance carrier, if any. The lien described in this paragraph shall attach to
any payment or settlement, after deducting expenses of recovery and attorneys' fees, made more than 5 days after the notice
is mailed. Any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making any payment or settlement in full or partial
satisfaction of any claim, counterclaim, cross-claim or other action or suit after the receipt of the notice of lien shall
be liable to the Director, as payee of the child support order, in an amount equal to the lesser of the payment or settlement
or the child support arrears or retroactive support; and the Director may enforce the child support lien in an action in the
Family Court against any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making the payment or settlement;
(4) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be placed upon any workers' compensation benefits payable to the obligor
by filing notice of a child support lien with the Secretary of the Industrial Accident Board and by sending a copy of the
notice by certified or registered mail to the obligor. The notice shall contain the obligor's name and address, the obligor's
social security number, if known, the name of the obligee, and the amount of arrears or retroactive support as of a specified
date. Upon the filing of the notice, the Secretary of the Industrial Accident Board shall mail a copy of the notice to the
obligor and to all attorneys and insurance carriers of record, each of whom shall be deemed to have received the notice 5
days after the date of mailing by the Secretary. The lien described in this paragraph shall attach to any Industrial Accident
Board award or any payment or settlement, after deducting expenses or recovery and attorneys fees, made more than 5 days after
the Secretary of the Industrial Accident Board mailed the notice. The lien described in this paragraph shall not take priority
over liens created by § 2363 of Title 19. Any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making any payment
or settlement in full or partial satisfaction of any claim, counterclaim, cross-claim or other action or suit after the receipt
of the notice of lien shall be liable to the Director, as payee of the child support order, in an amount equal to the lesser
of the payment or settlement or the child support arrears or retroactive support; and the Director may enforce the child support
lien in an action in the Family Court against any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making the
payment or settlement. This paragraph shall not apply to periodic workers' compensation payments from which child support
is paid by income attachment under § 513(b) of this title;
(5) Notwithstanding the provision of §§ 4733 and 4735 of Title 10 to the contrary, cause a lien for arrears or retroactive
support to be perfected against real property by filing a child support lien notice with the Prothonotary in the county where
the lien is sought to be filed. Upon the filing of the child support lien notice, the Prothonotary shall date and index the
child support lien as a judgment and mail the obligor a copy of the notice by certified or registered mail. The filing of
the child support lien notice shall constitute notice to all persons who are charged with notice of matters filed in such
office;
(6) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be perfected against accounts held by a financial institution by serving
a notice of child support lien and notice of levy on said institution. Within 20 days after the date it receives the notice,
the institution shall satisfy the lien by paying the amount of the lien to the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement,
as payee of the child support order, with any goods, chattels, rights, credits, money or effects of the obligor in the institution's
custody, possession, or control; and
(7) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be perfected against designated nonexempt personal property of the
obligor by filing a child support lien notice with the Prothonotary. The child support lien notice shall describe the designated
personal property against which it is perfected. Personal property subject to the child support lien includes, but is not
limited to, lump sum payments from a state or local agency, including, but not limited to, unemployment compensation and other
benefits, and public and private retirement funds, subject to § 514 of the Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [29 U.S.C.
§ 1144].
(h) For the purposes of this section, a child support lien notice must contain:
(1) The docket number or case number and identity of the court or administrative agency that entered the child support order;
(2) The name, address and, if known, the social security number of the obligor;
(3) The name and address, unless protected from disclosure by a court or administrative order or finding, of the obligee;
(4) The amount of arrears or retroactive support as of a specified date;
(5) The name, address and phone number of the public entity or individual to contact for the obligor's current payment record
and past-due arrearage; and
(6) The name and address of the person or agency to whom the payment of arrears and retroactive support shall be made.
(i) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall send timely written notice to the obligor by first-class mail of action
taken to perfect a child support lien, execute a levy, or seize the property. The notice shall specify the amount due, the
steps to be followed to release the property so placed under lien, levied upon or seized and the time period within which
to respond to such notice, and shall include the name of the court or administrative agency which entered the child support
order.
(1) The obligor may request an administrative review by filing a written request with the Division of Child Support Enforcement
within 20 days from the date the notice of child support lien was mailed. If the obligor files a timely written request for
an administrative review, the Division shall conduct the review within a reasonable time of such request and shall not dispose
of the subject property before the review is complete. The only issues to be addressed at the review hearing are whether the
obligor is the person named in the child support order from which the lien arises and whether any child support payment or
installment is past due. The records of the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall be presumptive of the amount in arrears
and of the obligor's payment history. Except as otherwise provided herein, all hearings under this section shall be in accordance
with the provision of the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29.
(2) The obligor may appeal a decision entered after an administrative hearing under this section to the Family Court. The
appeal shall be filed within 30 days of the day the notice of decision was mailed. The appeal shall a de novo review by to
the Family Court and shall be as provided in §§ 10102(4) and 10142 through 10145 of Title 29.
(j) The records of the Division of Child Support Enforcement, including records transmitted electronically, shall be presumptive
evidence of the amount of any lien for arrears or retroactive support. Any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance
carrier or a financial institution, who has received notice of any child support lien shall determine from the Division of
Child Support Enforcement the amount of unpaid arrears or retroactive support owed by the obligor as of the date such party
makes any payment to which a lien under this section attaches.
(k) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may file notice of a lien or release of a lien or may transmit accounting information
regarding an obligor's arrears and retroactive support by any means, including electronic means.
(l) Except as provided in paragraph (l)(2) of this section, a child support lien shall expire upon the termination of a current
child support obligation and payment in full of any arrears and retroactive support, or upon release of the lien by the Division
of Child Support Enforcement in the case of an order being enforced under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
§ 651 et seq.), or by the obligee in a non-IV-D case.
(1) When all arrears and retroactive child support have been paid in full, the Division of Child Support Enforcement, or the
obligee in a non-IV-D case, shall enter satisfaction of such lien or judgment on the record in the office where the same is
entered.
(2) The duration of a child support lien shall be 10 years from the date on which the notice of lien is properly served on
the holder of property; provided, however, that such lien may be renewed for another 10 years by complying with § 4711 of
Title 10. Expiration of the child support lien shall not terminate the underlying child support order or judgment or liquidate
any past due support or retroactive support.
(m) In any case where there has been a refusal or neglect to pay child support, regardless of whether a levy has been made,
the Division of Child Support Enforcement, in addition to any other remedies, may file a civil action to enforce the child
support lien. The filing of a civil action shall not preclude the Division of Child Support Enforcement from enforcing the
child support order through the use of any administrative procedures permitted by federal or state law.
(n) The remedies provided in this section shall be in addition to any other remedies for the enforcement of a support order.
(o) In the case of a motor vehicle, a child support lien does not attach until the lien is noted on the certificate of title
for such vehicle.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2216. Driver's, professional, occupational and business and recreational licenses.
(a) As used in this section and in § 516(g) of this title, the term "license" means a commercial driver license or license
to operate a motor vehicle issued or renewed under Chapter 26 or 27 of Title 21, a hunting, fishing or trapping license issued
or renewed under Chapter 5 of Title 7, and a license, permit, certificate, approval, registration or other similar form of
permission or authorization to practice or engage in any profession, occupation or business, issued or renewed by the Division
of Revenue under Chapter 23, 25, 27 or 29 of Title 30, or by any commission, board or agency under the authority of the Division
of Professional Regulation which is named in § 8735 of Title 29 (but not including any license issued on behalf of a nonprofit
applicant by the Gaming Control Board as set forth in Chapter 15 of Title 28).
(b) In order to provide for the denial or suspension of licenses to delinquent child support obligors, the Director of the
Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and
the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation shall each enter into a cooperative agreement with the Director of
the Division of Child Support Enforcement to make available or otherwise provide to the Director of the Division of Child
Support Enforcement information regarding any person who applies for or holds a license issued or renewed by their respective
divisions. The specific information and the manner and frequency with which it is made available or otherwise provided to
the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall be as determined by each cooperative agreement, but such information shall
be made available or otherwise provided at least once each calendar year. Each cooperative agreement shall be revised as necessary
to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this section. From such information provided by the Division of Motor Vehicles,
the Division of Revenue, the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Division of Professional Regulation, the Division of Child
Support Enforcement, at such intervals as it determines, may identify such applicants or licensees who are delinquent child
support obligors as described in this section, and undertake enforcement action pursuant to this section.
(c) Subject to the notice and hearing provisions of this section, the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement
may give notice that a license shall not be issued or renewed by the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Revenue,
the Division of Fish and Wildlife or by any commission, board or agency under the authority of the Division of Professional
Regulation which is named in § 8735 of Title 29 if:
(1) The applicant is the subject of an outstanding capias or bench warrant issued by the Family Court for failure to appear
at any paternity or child support proceeding in a case enforced by the Division of Child Support Enforcement pursuant to Title
IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651, et seq.); or
(2) The applicant is under an order of the Family Court to pay child support in a case enforced by the Division of Child Support
Enforcement pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651, et seq.), owes $1,000.00 or more in arrears
or retroactive support, and is 30 or more days delinquent in payment of the support order.
(d) Subject to the notice and hearing provisions of this section, the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement
may give notice that a license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Revenue, the Division of Fish and
Wildlife or by any commission, board or agency under the authority of the Division of Professional Regulation which is named
in § 8735 of Title 29 shall be suspended if:
(1) The licensee is the subject of an outstanding capias or bench warrant issued by the Family Court for failure to appear
at any paternity or child support proceeding in a case enforced by the Division of Child Support Enforcement pursuant to Title
IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651, et seq.); or
(2) The licensee is under an order of the Family Court to pay child support in a case enforced by the Division of Child Support
Enforcement pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), owes $1,000.00 or more in arrears
or retroactive support, and is 30 or more days delinquent in payment of the support order.
(e) The Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall give written notice of the proposed denial or suspension
of a license to the obligor, together with the amount of arrears or retroactive support and the date of the last payment on
the child support order. The denial or suspension of the license becomes effective upon final written notice to the obligor
from the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division
of Fish and Wildlife and/or the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation unless, within 20 days of the date the
notice of proposed denial or suspension is mailed by the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement, the obligor:
(1) Requests in writing an administrative hearing before the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement or the
Director's designee;
(2) Pays the arrears or retroactive support in full;
(3) Surrenders to the Family Court on any outstanding capias or bench warrant and pays any arrears or retroactive support
in full; or
(4) Consents to a payment plan acceptable to the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement or the Director's designee,
and fully complies therewith.
(f) The Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement or the Director's designee shall convene a hearing within 30
days after receipt of the obligor's timely written request, and shall issue a written decision within 5 working days after
the hearing. The only issues to be addressed at the hearing are whether the applicant or licensee is the obligor named in
the child support order; whether the obligor owes $1,000.00 or more in arrears or retroactive support; and whether the obligor
is 30 or more days delinquent in payment of the child support order. No evidence of the appropriateness of the child support
order or of the obligor's ability to comply shall be received or considered at the hearing. The records of the Division of
Child Support Enforcement shall be presumptive of the amount of arrears or retroactive child support and of the obligor's
payment history.
(g) If the obligor fails to timely request a hearing or to otherwise timely comply with the requirements of subsection (e)
of this section to avoid denial or suspension of the license, upon the issuance of a written decision adverse to the obligor
after a hearing, or upon order of the Family Court pursuant to § 516(g) of this title, the Director of the Division of Child
Support Enforcement may notify the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the
Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and/or the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation that the provisions
of this section for denial or suspension of the obligor's license have been met. Such notification may be made electronically,
by computer or by such other means as the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement and the Director of the Division
of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Director
of the Division of Professional Regulation may agree, and such notification shall constitute sufficient authority for the
denial or suspension of any license. The Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue,
the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and/or the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation shall forthwith
deny the issuance or renewal of any license, or suspend the same, and so notify the applicant or licensee in writing. The
notice from the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall be conclusive, and the action of the Director
of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife
and/or the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation in compliance therewith shall be effective 4 days after the
date notice of same is mailed to the obligor at the address on record at the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Revenue,
the Division of Fish and Wildlife or the Division of Professional Regulation. The obligor shall remain ineligible for the
issuance, renewal or reinstatement of any license until the obligor obtains from the Director of the Division of Child Support
Enforcement or his or her designee written certification that the grounds for denial or suspension of a license under this
section no longer exist or by order of the Family Court pursuant to § 516(h) of this title.
(h) Except as otherwise provided herein, all hearings and proceedings under this section shall be in accordance with the provisions
of the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29.
(i) The obligor may appeal a decision entered after a hearing under this section to the Family Court. The appeal shall be
filed within 30 days of the day the notice of decision is mailed by the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director
of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife or the Director of the Division of Professional
Regulation. The appeal shall be on the record to the Family Court and shall be as provided in §§ 10102(4) and 10142 through
10145 of Title 29.
(j) The process described in this section shall constitute the sole remedy for contesting the denial or suspension of a license
based on the grounds in this section.
(k) The remedies provided in this section shall be in addition to any other remedies for the enforcement of a support order.
(l) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the Family Court's authority to order the denial or suspension
of any license as provided in § 516(g) of this title. Failure of the Family Court to order denial or suspension of a license
under § 516(g) of this title shall not in any way limit or affect the authority to deny or suspend a license as provided in
this section except as provided in § 516(h) of this title.
(m) The Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement may enter into such agreements with the Director of the Division
of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Director
of the Division of Professional Regulation and such other agencies as may be appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this
section.
70 Del. Laws, c. 452, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 216, §§ 60-74; 75 Del. Laws, c. 207, §§ 2, 3, 4.;
§ 2217. Credit bureau reporting.
Information regarding the amount of arrearages owed by an obligor shall be reported by the Division of Child Support Enforcement,
at such intervals as it determines, to consumer reporting agencies, as that term is defined in 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(f), or be
made available by the Division of Child Support Enforcement to any consumer reporting agency upon request, subject to the
following:
(1) The amount of arrearages are not less than $500.
(2) The information shall be made available only after the obligor owing the arrearages has been notified of the proposed
action and given a period of 20 days to contest the accuracy of the information.
(3) A fee for furnishing the information in an amount not exceeding the actual cost thereof may be imposed on the requesting
consumer reporting agency by the Division of Child Support Enforcement.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2218. Requests for information.
(a) Upon receipt of a written request or a request by electronic means, where available, from the Director of the Division
of Child Support Enforcement in any case enforced by the Division pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
§ 651 et seq.), any employer, as that term is defined in § 513(b)(6) of this title, and any labor organization, as that term
is defined in § 710 of Title 19, shall cooperate with and provide relevant employment and income information in the possession
of such employer or labor organization to the Director or the Director's designee for the purpose of establishing paternity
or establishing, modifying or enforcing a child support order. Relevant employment and income information includes: the address
of the employer; whether the named person is a current or past employee or contractor of the employer, or whether the named
person has or has not been employed or hired as a contractor to the knowledge of the labor organization; the full name of
the employee, contractor or member; the last known residential address of the employee, contractor or member; the date of
birth of the employee, contractor or member; the social security number of the employee, contractor or member; all income,
as that term is defined in § 513(b)(5) of this title, paid to the employee, contractor or member in the prior and current
calendar year and the current rate of pay and benefits provided to the employee, member or contractor; and whether dependent
health insurance coverage is available to the employee or member through employment or membership in the labor organization,
together with information about the name of the health care insurer and the extent of the coverage available.
(b) An employer or labor organization shall be immune from any liability for providing information pursuant to this subsection.
(c) Any employer or labor organization that fails or refuses to provide the information described in this section within 15
days after receipt of a request from the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement or as otherwise provided in
such request shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500. For a second or subsequent offense, such
employer or labor organization shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000. A fine under this section may not be
suspended. If the employer or labor organization is a corporation, criminal liability shall be established pursuant to §§
281-284 of Title 11.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2219. Obligation of parties to provide information.
Each party shall receive written notice, which may be contained in the support judgment or order, that he or she is required
to keep the court informed of his or her current residential address, drivers license number, telephone number, employer,
employer address and employer telephone number.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2220. Definitions.
Unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the same
meaning as those defined in § 401(b) of this title.
The Division of Child Support Enforcement is hereby established within the Department of Health and Social Services. Said
Division shall constitute the IV-D agency authorized under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.).
In addition to the powers and duties described in this chapter, the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall have the power
to perform and be responsible for the performance of all duties and functions heretofore vested in the Division of Child Support
Enforcement under § 7930 of Title 29 [repealed] and the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement pursuant to Executive Order No.
76, dated June 30, 1975.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2202. Powers and duties.
The Division of Child Support Enforcement may:
(1) Accept, transfer and expend funds made available by the federal or state government or by another public or private source
for the purpose of carrying out this chapter;
(2) Adopt rules, regulations and procedures for the provision of child support services;
(3) Initiate legal and administrative actions necessary to implement this chapter; and
(4) Enter into contracts or agreements necessary to implement this chapter.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2203. Title IV-D services.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may provide all services required or authorized by Title IV-D of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), including parent locator services, determination of paternity, establishment of child
support and medical support obligations, review and adjustment of child support orders, enforcement of child support, spousal
support and medical support orders, and collection and disbursement of child support payments.
(b) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may enter into agreements or contracts with federal, state or other public or
private entities or individuals for the purpose of carrying out its duties and responsibilities under federal and state law.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2204. Support payments.
(a) In compliance with federal and state law, the Division of Child Support Enforcement is authorized to receive and disburse
support payments made on behalf of each obligee who is a recipient of public assistance, who signs an application to the Division
for child support services pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), or who receives child
support pursuant to an income withholding order issued by the Court or Division pursuant to § 513 of this title.
(b) In all cases in which the Division is authorized pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to receive and disburse support
payments, the Division may administratively change the payee to the Division. Such change shall not occur until the Division
has provided prior notice of the change to all parties under the support order and offered an opportunity for any party to
contest the change in payee. The Division shall establish procedures for a party to challenge the administrative change in
payee.
(c) A child support obligor shall have no right of reimbursement from the Division of Child Support Enforcement for any child
support payment received and disbursed by the Division to an obligee who is not a recipient of public assistance.
(d) Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, a child support payment shall not be subject to attachment,
garnishment or execution.
(e) In all cases in which the Division administratively changes the payee pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the
Division shall provide notice to all parties under the support order of the date of the obligor's final payment at the following
times, when applicable:
(1) Six months from the date of the final payment;
(2) Three months from the date of the final payment; and
(3) Upon receipt of the final payment.
(f) The Division shall establish procedures for applying the notice requirements as listed in subsection (e) of this section.
(g) In all cases when a child support wage attachment is in place, the Division shall immediately notify the noncustodial
parent's employer to immediately terminate the wage withholding when the parent's child support obligation has been satisfied.
(h) The Division may recoup payments that it has received and disbursed to a payee but which the payee was not entitled to
receive under the child support order. The Division shall give prior written notice to the payee of its intent to recoup.
The notice shall state the amount the Division intends to recoup and how it was determined, the manner in which the Division
intends to recoup the funds, and inform the payee of that payee's right to an administrative hearing prior to any recoupment.
If the payee fails to timely request a hearing, recoupment may proceed as described in the notice. The Division may recoup
such payments by withholding not more than 10% of each disbursement due to the payee until the Division is reimbursed in full.
Except as otherwise provided herein, all hearings and proceedings under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions
of the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29. Recoupment shall not apply to payments received and disbursed
pursuant to the terms of a child support order that is later modified.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 278, § 2; 73 Del. Laws, c. 342, § 1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 298, § 1.;
§ 2204A. Disbursement of support payments.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may establish a process to transfer support payments electronically to an account
designated by the obligee of the support order or to an alternate account that can be accessed by the obligee through an electronic
access card. The electronic transfer of support payments shall begin when the Department of Health and Social Services certifies
all necessary steps in the process are established and complete.
(b) When the process for electronic transfer of support payments is certified by the Department of Health and Social Services
and takes effect, all payments disbursed by the Division to an obligee shall be by electronic transfer of support payments
unless the Division grants a hardship exemption. Before the date on which electronic transfer of support payments takes effect,
the Division shall provide a notice to each obligee to whom it disburses support payments that includes the following:
(1) That the obligee has 20 days after the date of the notice to complete an authorization for automatic deposit form and
return it to the Division, and that if the obligee does not authorize direct deposit, the Division will issue an electronic
access card for receipt of support payments unless the obligee claims a hardship exemption as provided herein.
(2) That a request for a hardship exemption must be in writing and include documentation that supports the request.
(3) Information on the use and restrictions associated with the use of an electronic access card.
(c) The Division may disburse a support payment by check if any of the following conditions applies:
(1) Payment by check is necessary to meet federal requirements and electronic transfer is not feasible.
(2) The obligee is involved in legal proceedings that require payments to be sent to a trustee or representative payee.
(3) The obligee has not requested automatic deposit to a designated account of the obligee and has asserted in writing that
the use of an electronic access card will create an undue hardship because of a documented physical or mental disability.
(4) Payments on the support account are made so infrequently that the Division determines that disbursement of payments by
electronic transfer is impracticable.
(d) The Division may adopt policies to implement the process for payment by electronic process.
(e) For the purposes of this section, "electronic access card" means a stored value card that is issued by the Division and
in which support payments are deposited electronically in the same manner as automatic or direct deposit.
77 Del. Laws, c. 277, § 1.;
§ 2205. Administrative authority.
(a) In all cases enforced under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), the Division of Child Support
Enforcement is authorized to take the following actions for the purpose of establishing paternity or establishing, modifying
or enforcing a support order, without the necessity of obtaining a Court order:
(1) Order genetic testing for the purpose of establishing paternity;
(2) Request, and obtain access to, information on the employment, residential address, social security number, compensation
and benefits of any employee or contractor of an entity in the State, including for-profit, nonprofit and governmental employers,
and any member of a labor organization;
(3) Request, and obtain access to, information contained in the records of state and local government agencies regarding a
putative father, an obligor or an obligee, which includes, but is not limited to, the following:
a. State income tax returns and all other state income tax information including, but not limited to, documents or records
provided in support of a tax return by an employer, financial institution, or other holder or source of income;
b. Division of Motor Vehicles information including, but not limited to, proper name spelling, physical description, date
of birth, location and date of last contact with the Division of Motor Vehicles, license expiration date, vehicle registration,
violations and warrants;
c. Public housing authority records;
d. Vital statistics records and information including, but not limited to, birth, marriage, divorce and death records;
e. Criminal history record information including, but not limited to, arrest, conviction, incarceration, parole and employment
information;
f. Credit bureau information including, but not limited to, credit history and locations and dates of credit application;
g. Deed or title registry records; and
h. Any other information deemed necessary by the Division to assist in administering the child support program;
(4) Request, and obtain access to, information contained in the records of financial institutions with respect to individuals
who owe or are owed support (or against or with respect to whom a support obligation is sought);
(5) Issue an administrative subpoena to any individual, state or local government agency, private company, institution or
other entity seeking financial or other information needed to establish paternity or to establish, modify or enforce a support
order;
(6) Issue an administrative subpoena, pursuant to paragraph (a)(5) of this section, seeking the name, social security number,
residential address, employer and employment address of any parent or custodian that appears in the customer records of a
public utility or a cable television company;
(7) Order income withholding pursuant to § 513(b)(12) of this title; and
(8) Institute collection procedures pursuant to § 2207 of this title.
(b) Any individual, state or local government agency, private company, institution or other entity providing information in
response to a request by the Division or an administrative subpoena issued by the Division shall be immune from any civil
or criminal liability based on such compliance unless the individual, state or local government agency, private company, institution
or other entity knowingly provided false information.
(c) If any individual, private company, institution or other entity fails to comply with an administrative subpoena issued
by the Division of Child Support Enforcement, the Division may compel compliance with said subpoena by filing a motion to
compel in the Family Court, which shall have jurisdiction to hear such actions. The Family Court may order costs, attorney's
fees and/or a civil fine not to exceed $1,000 if the motion to compel is granted.
(d) Upon request, the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall make available information, as provided in this section,
for use by federal and state agencies conducting activities pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S. C.
§ 651 et seq.).
(e) Information obtained by the Division of Child Support Enforcement under this section shall be used only for purposes related
to the child support program administered pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.).
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2206. Confidentiality of records.
(a) Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, all files and records of services provided under Title IV-D of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), including information related to a custodial parent, noncustodial parent, child,
and an alleged, putative, or presumed father, are confidential, and for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act, Chapter
100 of Title 29, these files and records are specifically exempted from public disclosure.
(b) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may use or release information from the files and records for purposes directly
connected with the administration of the child support program, including the release of information to other state agencies
operated pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The Division may also release information from its files and records
to a consumer reporting agency in accordance with § 2217 of this title.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2207. Enforcement by the Division of Child Support Enforcement.
The Division of Child Support Enforcement is hereby authorized to initiate enforcement of any child or spousal support order
issued by a Court or administrative agency of this or any other state or jurisdiction that is being enforced pursuant to Title
IV, Part D, of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.). Said enforcement shall include, but not be limited to, income
withholding initiated pursuant to § 513 of this title; administratively adding an amount to be paid toward arrears in addition
to any current support amount ordered; demand letters; initiation of contempt proceedings; use of state and federal income
tax refund intercept programs; use of attachment, levy and garnishment; use of a private collection agency or contractor;
and any other civil remedy available for the enforcement of judgments or for the enforcement of support orders.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2208. State Directory of New Hires.
(a) General. -- There is hereby established within the Division of Child Support Enforcement an automated directory (to be
known as the "State Directory of New Hires") which shall contain information supplied by employers pursuant to § 1154(h) of
Title 30.
(b) Entry of information into data base. -- Within 5 business days of receipt of a report supplied by an employer pursuant
to § 1156A of Title 30, information included in the report shall be entered into the data base maintained by the State Directory
of New Hires.
(c) Information comparisons. -- The State Directory of New Hires shall, directly or by contract, conduct automated comparisons
of the social security numbers reported by employers pursuant to § 1156A of Title 30 and the social security numbers appearing
in the records of the State case registry. When an information comparison reveals a match with respect to the social security
number of an individual required to provide support under a support order, the State Directory of New Hires shall provide
the Division of Child Support Enforcement with the name, address and social security number of the employee to whom the social
security number is assigned, and the name, address and identifying number assigned under § 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 [26 U.S.C. § 6109] to the employer.
(d) Provision of information to the National Directory of New Hires. -- Within 3 business days after the date information
regarding a newly hired employee is entered into the State Directory of New Hires, the State Directory of New Hires shall
furnish the information to the National Directory of New Hires established pursuant to § 453(i) of Title IV, Part D, of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 653(i)). On a quarterly basis, the State Directory of New Hires shall also furnish to the
National Directory of New Hires extracts of the reports required under § 303(a)(6) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C.
§ 503(a)(6)] to be made to the Secretary of Labor concerning the wages and unemployment compensation paid to individuals,
by such dates, in such format, and containing such information as prescribed by federal regulation.
(e) Uses of new hire information. -- The State Directory of New Hires shall make the specified information available to the
following entities for the purposes described below.
(1) The State Directory of New Hires shall provide information derived from the comparison conducted pursuant to subsection
(c) of this section to the Division of Child Support Enforcement, which shall use the information to locate individuals for
purposes of establishing paternity and establishing, modifying and enforcing child support obligations.
(2) The State Directory of New Hires shall grant access to information provided by employers pursuant to § 1156A of Title
30 to the state agency responsible for administering a program specified in 42 U.S.C. § 1320b-7(b) for purposes of verifying
eligibility for the program.
(3) The State Directory of New Hires shall grant access to information provided by employers pursuant to § 1156A of Title
30 to the State Division of Unemployment Insurance for the purpose of administering the State's unemployment insurance services
program and the State Division of Industrial Affairs for the purpose of administering the Workers' Compensation Program.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2209. Notice of income withholding and National Medical Support Notice.
Within 2 business days after the date information regarding a newly hired employee is entered into the State Directory of
New Hires pursuant to § 2208(b) of this title, the Division shall transmit a notice to the employer of an employee whose child
support obligation is subject to enforcement by the Division directing the employer to withhold from the income of the employee
an amount equal to the monthly (or other periodic) child support obligation (including any past due support obligation or
retroactive support) of the employee, unless the employee's income is not subject to withholding under § 513(b)(1) of this
title and transfer the National Medical Support Notice to the employer.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 338, §§ 12, 13.;
§ 2210. Administrative enforcement in interstate cases.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may request the child support agency of a state or jurisdiction outside of Delaware
established pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), to enforce a child or spousal support
order entered by a tribunal in Delaware or in another state or jurisdiction. Such a request shall constitute a certification
by the Division of the amount of arrears and retroactive support, of the existence of a child support lien, and of compliance
with all procedural due process requirements applicable to the case.
(b) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may request the child support agency of a state or jurisdiction outside of Delaware
established pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.) to enforce and recognize a child support
lien. Such a request shall constitute a certification by the Division of the amount of arrears, and retroactive support of
the existence of a child support lien, and of compliance with all procedural due process requirements applicable to the case.
(c) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall establish procedures to respond to a request for enforcement from a child
support agency of a state or jurisdiction outside of Delaware established pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), without the necessity of registering the order or lien with the Court. Such a request shall constitute
a certification by the requesting State of the amount of arrears, and retroactive support of the existence of a child support
lien, and of compliance with all procedural due process requirements applicable to the case.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2211. Maintenance of records.
The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall maintain such records as may be required by federal and state law.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2212. Financial institution data matches.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall enter into agreements with financial institutions doing business within
this State to develop and operate, in coordination with such financial institutions, a data match system, using automated
data exchanges to the maximum extent feasible, in which each such financial institution shall:
(1) Provide once for each calendar quarter the name, record address, social security number or other taxpayer identification
number, and other identifying information for each noncustodial parent who maintains an account at such institution and who
owes past-due support, as previously identified to each financial institution by the State by name and social security number
or other taxpayer identification number; and
(2) In response to a notice of a lien or levy, encumber or surrender, as the case may be, once each calendar quarter, assets,
less applicable fees and penalties, held by such institution in an account of any noncustodial parent who is subject to a
child support lien pursuant to § 2215 of this title.
(b) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall pay a reasonable fee to a financial institution for conducting the data
match provided for in this subsection, not to exceed the actual costs incurred by such financial institution.
(c) In cases where there is a support arrearage and the noncustodial parent is subject to a child support lien pursuant to
§ 2215 of this title, the Division of Child Support Enforcement may, without the necessity of obtaining an order from any
other judicial or administrative tribunal, secure assets in such noncustodial parent's account, less applicable fees and penalties,
to satisfy the arrearage by attaching and seizing such assets of the obligor held in financial institutions. The Division
shall recognize and enforce the authority of state agencies of other states whereby the Division will enforce the child support
liens on behalf of such state agencies in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section.
(d) If the Division obtains a financial record of an individual from a financial institution pursuant to subsection (a) of
this section, the Division may disclose such financial record only for purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing,
modifying or enforcing a child support obligation of such individual.
(e) For purposes of this section, "financial institution" has the meaning given such term by 42 U.S.C. § 669a(d)(1). The term
"account" means a demand deposit account, checking or NOW account, savings account, time deposit account or money-market mutual
fund account.
(f) Each financial institution doing business within this State shall enter into an agreement with the Division of Child Support
Enforcement to develop and operate, in coordination with the Division, the financial institution data match system described
in this section. Those institutions which are not automated or compatible must identify themselves to the Division of Child
Support Enforcement within 180 days of passage of the legislation. The Division will work with these institutions to develop
a data exchange process that is not unduly burdensome to the institution or the Division.
(g) A financial institution shall not be liable under any state law to any person or government agency for:
(1) Any disclosure of information to the Division of Child Support Enforcement under § 2212 of this title; or
(2) Encumbering or surrendering any assets held by such financial institution in response to a notice of lien or levy issued
by the Division of Child Support Enforcement as provided in Title 13; or
(3) Any other action or omission taken in good faith to comply substantially with the requirements of § 2212 of this title.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2213. Parent locator information from interstate networks.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement (the "Division") shall have access to locator information contained in data
systems used by the State for purposes which include, but are not limited to, motor vehicle and law enforcement.
(b) Upon request, the Division shall make available locator information, as provided in subsection (a) of this section, for
use by federal and state agencies conducting activities pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651
et seq.). The Division may respond to a request for information, made under this section by any appropriate method including,
but not limited to, paper, facsimile, telephone, magnetic tape or other electronic means.
(c) Locator information obtained by the Division, as provided in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used only for the
purposes of, and to the extent necessary for, the administration of activities authorized by Part D of Title IV of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.). No entity or individual who complies with the provisions of this section shall be
liable in any civil or criminal action or proceeding brought by a putative father, an obligor or an obligee on account of
such compliance.
(d) The Director of the Division shall be responsible for the preparation of policy, procedures and directives as may be required
to implement this section.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2214. Collection and use of Social Security numbers.
(a) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall have access to the social security number of:
(1) Any applicant for a license as that has been defined in this section;
(2) Any applicant for a marriage license;
(3) Any individual who is subject to a divorce decree, support order or judgment, paternity order, or an acknowledgment of
paternity filed in this State pursuant to § 8-302 of Title 13 or §§ 3105 and 3121 of Title 16;
(4) Any individual who has died; and
(5) Any individual who is a petitioner or respondent in a paternity or child support proceeding filed in this State or in
an interstate action in which this State serves as the initiating or responding jurisdiction.
(b) Social security numbers collected pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be maintained in the records of the
collecting agency. In the case of individuals who have died, the Social Security number also shall appear on the face of the
death certificate.
(c) As used in this section, the term "license" means a commercial driver's license or license to operate a motor vehicle
issued or renewed under Chapter 26 or 27 of Title 21, a hunting, fishing and trapping license issued or renewed under Chapter
5 of Title 7, and a license, permit, certificate, approval, registration or other similar form of permission or authorization
to practice or engage in any profession, occupation or business issued or renewed by the Division of Revenue under Chapter
23, 25, 27 or 29 of Title 30, or by any commission, board or agency under the authority of the Division of Professional Regulation
which is named in § 8735 of Title 29 (but not including any license issued on behalf of a nonprofit applicant by the Gaming
Control Board as set forth in Chapter 15 of Title 28).
(d) Upon request, the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall make available locator information, as provided in subsection
(a) of this section, for use by federal and state agencies conducting activities pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.). The Division may respond to a request for information made under this section by any appropriate
method including, but not limited to, paper, facsimile, telephone, magnetic tape or other electronic means.
(e) If a tribunal or agency also uses an identifying number other than the Social Security number, the tribunal or agency
must so advise parties or applicants.
(f) The Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall be responsible for the preparation of policy, procedures,
and directives as may be required to implement this section.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 6, § 1.;
§ 2215. Child support liens.
(a) A child support installment or payment which is past due shall, as of the date on which it was due, be a lien in favor
of the obligee in an amount sufficient to satisfy the arrearage, whether the amount due is a fixed sum or is accruing periodically.
Such child support lien shall arise by operation of law, without the necessity of obtaining a judicial determination of the
arrearage or an order creating the lien, and such lien shall incorporate any unpaid child support which shall accrue while
the lien is in effect.
(b) From the time it is perfected as provided in this section, the child support lien arising under subsection (a) of this
section shall bind all real and personal property, and any interest in property, whether legal or equitable, of the obligor.
An interest in property acquired by the obligor after the child support lien arises shall be subject to such lien, subject
to the limitations described in subsection (l) of this section.
(c) A child support lien may be enforced as provided in this chapter or as otherwise provided by law.
(d) The remedies provided by this chapter do not affect the availability of other remedies provided by law to enforce liens
and judgments.
(e) A child support lien of another state must be recognized and given full faith and credit by a tribunal in this State,
without the necessity of a prior judicial notice or hearing.
(f) The IV-D agency, party or entity requesting enforcement in Delaware of a child support lien arising in another state shall
certify that the obligor is delinquent under a support order. In order to perfect the child support lien against real and
personal property in this State, the IV-D agency, party or entity seeking enforcement must comply with the notice requirements
of this section.
(g) Where an obligor has been ordered by the Court to pay child support and owes arrears or retroactive support in a case
enforced by the Division of Child Support Enforcement pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651,
et seq.), the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement may:
(1) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be placed upon the obligor's distributive share of a decedent's estate
by filing notice of a child support lien with the Register of Wills of the county in which the decedent's estate is being
administered and by sending copies of the notice by certified or registered mail to the obligor and to the personal representative
of the decedent. The notice shall contain the obligor's name and address, the obligor's social security number, if known,
the name of the obligee and the amount of arrears or retroactive support as of a specified date. The lien shall attach to
the obligor's distributive share upon the filing of the notice of the lien with the Register of Wills. Thereafter, the personal
representative of the decedent shall pay to the Director the lesser of the obligor's distributive share or the amount of arrears
or retroactive support. If the personal representative fails to pay the Director in accordance with the lien, the personal
representative shall be liable on the personal representative's bond to the Director, as the payee of the child support obligation;
(2) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be placed upon any claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, action or suit,
at law or in equity, of the obligor by filing notice of a child support lien with the Prothonotary or clerk of the court in
which the claim, counterclaim, cross-claim or other action or suit is pending and by sending a copy of the notice by certified
or registered mail to the obligor. The notice shall contain the obligor's name and address, the obligor's social security
number, if known, the name of the obligee, and the amount of arrears or retroactive support as of a specified date. Upon the
filing of the notice, the Prothonotary or clerk of the court shall mail a copy of the notice to the obligor and to all attorneys
and insurance carriers of record, if known, each of whom shall be deemed to have received the notice 5 days after the Prothonotary
or clerk mailed the notice. Any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making any payment or settlement
in full or partial satisfaction of any claim, counterclaim, cross-claim or other action or suit after the receipt of the notice
of lien shall be liable to the Director, as payee of the child support order, in an amount equal to the lesser of the payment
or settlement or the child support arrears or retroactive support; and the Director may enforce the child support lien in
an action in the Family Court against any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making the payment
or settlement;
(3) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be placed upon any demand or cause of action for negligence or personal
injury of the obligor by sending notice of a child support lien by certified or registered mail to the obligor, to the party
or parties alleged to be liable to the obligor, if known, and to their attorneys of record, if known. The notice shall contain
the obligor's names and address, the obligor's social security number, if known, the name of the obligee, and the amount of
arrears or retroactive support as of a specified date. The notice shall also instruct the party to whom it is directed to
deliver a copy of the notice to the party's insurance carrier, if any. The lien described in this paragraph shall attach to
any payment or settlement, after deducting expenses of recovery and attorneys' fees, made more than 5 days after the notice
is mailed. Any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making any payment or settlement in full or partial
satisfaction of any claim, counterclaim, cross-claim or other action or suit after the receipt of the notice of lien shall
be liable to the Director, as payee of the child support order, in an amount equal to the lesser of the payment or settlement
or the child support arrears or retroactive support; and the Director may enforce the child support lien in an action in the
Family Court against any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making the payment or settlement;
(4) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be placed upon any workers' compensation benefits payable to the obligor
by filing notice of a child support lien with the Secretary of the Industrial Accident Board and by sending a copy of the
notice by certified or registered mail to the obligor. The notice shall contain the obligor's name and address, the obligor's
social security number, if known, the name of the obligee, and the amount of arrears or retroactive support as of a specified
date. Upon the filing of the notice, the Secretary of the Industrial Accident Board shall mail a copy of the notice to the
obligor and to all attorneys and insurance carriers of record, each of whom shall be deemed to have received the notice 5
days after the date of mailing by the Secretary. The lien described in this paragraph shall attach to any Industrial Accident
Board award or any payment or settlement, after deducting expenses or recovery and attorneys fees, made more than 5 days after
the Secretary of the Industrial Accident Board mailed the notice. The lien described in this paragraph shall not take priority
over liens created by § 2363 of Title 19. Any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making any payment
or settlement in full or partial satisfaction of any claim, counterclaim, cross-claim or other action or suit after the receipt
of the notice of lien shall be liable to the Director, as payee of the child support order, in an amount equal to the lesser
of the payment or settlement or the child support arrears or retroactive support; and the Director may enforce the child support
lien in an action in the Family Court against any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance carrier, making the
payment or settlement. This paragraph shall not apply to periodic workers' compensation payments from which child support
is paid by income attachment under § 513(b) of this title;
(5) Notwithstanding the provision of §§ 4733 and 4735 of Title 10 to the contrary, cause a lien for arrears or retroactive
support to be perfected against real property by filing a child support lien notice with the Prothonotary in the county where
the lien is sought to be filed. Upon the filing of the child support lien notice, the Prothonotary shall date and index the
child support lien as a judgment and mail the obligor a copy of the notice by certified or registered mail. The filing of
the child support lien notice shall constitute notice to all persons who are charged with notice of matters filed in such
office;
(6) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be perfected against accounts held by a financial institution by serving
a notice of child support lien and notice of levy on said institution. Within 20 days after the date it receives the notice,
the institution shall satisfy the lien by paying the amount of the lien to the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement,
as payee of the child support order, with any goods, chattels, rights, credits, money or effects of the obligor in the institution's
custody, possession, or control; and
(7) Cause a lien for arrears or retroactive support to be perfected against designated nonexempt personal property of the
obligor by filing a child support lien notice with the Prothonotary. The child support lien notice shall describe the designated
personal property against which it is perfected. Personal property subject to the child support lien includes, but is not
limited to, lump sum payments from a state or local agency, including, but not limited to, unemployment compensation and other
benefits, and public and private retirement funds, subject to § 514 of the Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [29 U.S.C.
§ 1144].
(h) For the purposes of this section, a child support lien notice must contain:
(1) The docket number or case number and identity of the court or administrative agency that entered the child support order;
(2) The name, address and, if known, the social security number of the obligor;
(3) The name and address, unless protected from disclosure by a court or administrative order or finding, of the obligee;
(4) The amount of arrears or retroactive support as of a specified date;
(5) The name, address and phone number of the public entity or individual to contact for the obligor's current payment record
and past-due arrearage; and
(6) The name and address of the person or agency to whom the payment of arrears and retroactive support shall be made.
(i) The Division of Child Support Enforcement shall send timely written notice to the obligor by first-class mail of action
taken to perfect a child support lien, execute a levy, or seize the property. The notice shall specify the amount due, the
steps to be followed to release the property so placed under lien, levied upon or seized and the time period within which
to respond to such notice, and shall include the name of the court or administrative agency which entered the child support
order.
(1) The obligor may request an administrative review by filing a written request with the Division of Child Support Enforcement
within 20 days from the date the notice of child support lien was mailed. If the obligor files a timely written request for
an administrative review, the Division shall conduct the review within a reasonable time of such request and shall not dispose
of the subject property before the review is complete. The only issues to be addressed at the review hearing are whether the
obligor is the person named in the child support order from which the lien arises and whether any child support payment or
installment is past due. The records of the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall be presumptive of the amount in arrears
and of the obligor's payment history. Except as otherwise provided herein, all hearings under this section shall be in accordance
with the provision of the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29.
(2) The obligor may appeal a decision entered after an administrative hearing under this section to the Family Court. The
appeal shall be filed within 30 days of the day the notice of decision was mailed. The appeal shall a de novo review by to
the Family Court and shall be as provided in §§ 10102(4) and 10142 through 10145 of Title 29.
(j) The records of the Division of Child Support Enforcement, including records transmitted electronically, shall be presumptive
evidence of the amount of any lien for arrears or retroactive support. Any person, firm or corporation, including an insurance
carrier or a financial institution, who has received notice of any child support lien shall determine from the Division of
Child Support Enforcement the amount of unpaid arrears or retroactive support owed by the obligor as of the date such party
makes any payment to which a lien under this section attaches.
(k) The Division of Child Support Enforcement may file notice of a lien or release of a lien or may transmit accounting information
regarding an obligor's arrears and retroactive support by any means, including electronic means.
(l) Except as provided in paragraph (l)(2) of this section, a child support lien shall expire upon the termination of a current
child support obligation and payment in full of any arrears and retroactive support, or upon release of the lien by the Division
of Child Support Enforcement in the case of an order being enforced under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
§ 651 et seq.), or by the obligee in a non-IV-D case.
(1) When all arrears and retroactive child support have been paid in full, the Division of Child Support Enforcement, or the
obligee in a non-IV-D case, shall enter satisfaction of such lien or judgment on the record in the office where the same is
entered.
(2) The duration of a child support lien shall be 10 years from the date on which the notice of lien is properly served on
the holder of property; provided, however, that such lien may be renewed for another 10 years by complying with § 4711 of
Title 10. Expiration of the child support lien shall not terminate the underlying child support order or judgment or liquidate
any past due support or retroactive support.
(m) In any case where there has been a refusal or neglect to pay child support, regardless of whether a levy has been made,
the Division of Child Support Enforcement, in addition to any other remedies, may file a civil action to enforce the child
support lien. The filing of a civil action shall not preclude the Division of Child Support Enforcement from enforcing the
child support order through the use of any administrative procedures permitted by federal or state law.
(n) The remedies provided in this section shall be in addition to any other remedies for the enforcement of a support order.
(o) In the case of a motor vehicle, a child support lien does not attach until the lien is noted on the certificate of title
for such vehicle.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2216. Driver's, professional, occupational and business and recreational licenses.
(a) As used in this section and in § 516(g) of this title, the term "license" means a commercial driver license or license
to operate a motor vehicle issued or renewed under Chapter 26 or 27 of Title 21, a hunting, fishing or trapping license issued
or renewed under Chapter 5 of Title 7, and a license, permit, certificate, approval, registration or other similar form of
permission or authorization to practice or engage in any profession, occupation or business, issued or renewed by the Division
of Revenue under Chapter 23, 25, 27 or 29 of Title 30, or by any commission, board or agency under the authority of the Division
of Professional Regulation which is named in § 8735 of Title 29 (but not including any license issued on behalf of a nonprofit
applicant by the Gaming Control Board as set forth in Chapter 15 of Title 28).
(b) In order to provide for the denial or suspension of licenses to delinquent child support obligors, the Director of the
Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and
the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation shall each enter into a cooperative agreement with the Director of
the Division of Child Support Enforcement to make available or otherwise provide to the Director of the Division of Child
Support Enforcement information regarding any person who applies for or holds a license issued or renewed by their respective
divisions. The specific information and the manner and frequency with which it is made available or otherwise provided to
the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall be as determined by each cooperative agreement, but such information shall
be made available or otherwise provided at least once each calendar year. Each cooperative agreement shall be revised as necessary
to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this section. From such information provided by the Division of Motor Vehicles,
the Division of Revenue, the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Division of Professional Regulation, the Division of Child
Support Enforcement, at such intervals as it determines, may identify such applicants or licensees who are delinquent child
support obligors as described in this section, and undertake enforcement action pursuant to this section.
(c) Subject to the notice and hearing provisions of this section, the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement
may give notice that a license shall not be issued or renewed by the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Revenue,
the Division of Fish and Wildlife or by any commission, board or agency under the authority of the Division of Professional
Regulation which is named in § 8735 of Title 29 if:
(1) The applicant is the subject of an outstanding capias or bench warrant issued by the Family Court for failure to appear
at any paternity or child support proceeding in a case enforced by the Division of Child Support Enforcement pursuant to Title
IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651, et seq.); or
(2) The applicant is under an order of the Family Court to pay child support in a case enforced by the Division of Child Support
Enforcement pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651, et seq.), owes $1,000.00 or more in arrears
or retroactive support, and is 30 or more days delinquent in payment of the support order.
(d) Subject to the notice and hearing provisions of this section, the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement
may give notice that a license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Revenue, the Division of Fish and
Wildlife or by any commission, board or agency under the authority of the Division of Professional Regulation which is named
in § 8735 of Title 29 shall be suspended if:
(1) The licensee is the subject of an outstanding capias or bench warrant issued by the Family Court for failure to appear
at any paternity or child support proceeding in a case enforced by the Division of Child Support Enforcement pursuant to Title
IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651, et seq.); or
(2) The licensee is under an order of the Family Court to pay child support in a case enforced by the Division of Child Support
Enforcement pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), owes $1,000.00 or more in arrears
or retroactive support, and is 30 or more days delinquent in payment of the support order.
(e) The Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall give written notice of the proposed denial or suspension
of a license to the obligor, together with the amount of arrears or retroactive support and the date of the last payment on
the child support order. The denial or suspension of the license becomes effective upon final written notice to the obligor
from the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division
of Fish and Wildlife and/or the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation unless, within 20 days of the date the
notice of proposed denial or suspension is mailed by the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement, the obligor:
(1) Requests in writing an administrative hearing before the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement or the
Director's designee;
(2) Pays the arrears or retroactive support in full;
(3) Surrenders to the Family Court on any outstanding capias or bench warrant and pays any arrears or retroactive support
in full; or
(4) Consents to a payment plan acceptable to the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement or the Director's designee,
and fully complies therewith.
(f) The Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement or the Director's designee shall convene a hearing within 30
days after receipt of the obligor's timely written request, and shall issue a written decision within 5 working days after
the hearing. The only issues to be addressed at the hearing are whether the applicant or licensee is the obligor named in
the child support order; whether the obligor owes $1,000.00 or more in arrears or retroactive support; and whether the obligor
is 30 or more days delinquent in payment of the child support order. No evidence of the appropriateness of the child support
order or of the obligor's ability to comply shall be received or considered at the hearing. The records of the Division of
Child Support Enforcement shall be presumptive of the amount of arrears or retroactive child support and of the obligor's
payment history.
(g) If the obligor fails to timely request a hearing or to otherwise timely comply with the requirements of subsection (e)
of this section to avoid denial or suspension of the license, upon the issuance of a written decision adverse to the obligor
after a hearing, or upon order of the Family Court pursuant to § 516(g) of this title, the Director of the Division of Child
Support Enforcement may notify the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the
Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and/or the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation that the provisions
of this section for denial or suspension of the obligor's license have been met. Such notification may be made electronically,
by computer or by such other means as the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement and the Director of the Division
of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Director
of the Division of Professional Regulation may agree, and such notification shall constitute sufficient authority for the
denial or suspension of any license. The Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue,
the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and/or the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation shall forthwith
deny the issuance or renewal of any license, or suspend the same, and so notify the applicant or licensee in writing. The
notice from the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement shall be conclusive, and the action of the Director
of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife
and/or the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation in compliance therewith shall be effective 4 days after the
date notice of same is mailed to the obligor at the address on record at the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Revenue,
the Division of Fish and Wildlife or the Division of Professional Regulation. The obligor shall remain ineligible for the
issuance, renewal or reinstatement of any license until the obligor obtains from the Director of the Division of Child Support
Enforcement or his or her designee written certification that the grounds for denial or suspension of a license under this
section no longer exist or by order of the Family Court pursuant to § 516(h) of this title.
(h) Except as otherwise provided herein, all hearings and proceedings under this section shall be in accordance with the provisions
of the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29.
(i) The obligor may appeal a decision entered after a hearing under this section to the Family Court. The appeal shall be
filed within 30 days of the day the notice of decision is mailed by the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Director
of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife or the Director of the Division of Professional
Regulation. The appeal shall be on the record to the Family Court and shall be as provided in §§ 10102(4) and 10142 through
10145 of Title 29.
(j) The process described in this section shall constitute the sole remedy for contesting the denial or suspension of a license
based on the grounds in this section.
(k) The remedies provided in this section shall be in addition to any other remedies for the enforcement of a support order.
(l) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the Family Court's authority to order the denial or suspension
of any license as provided in § 516(g) of this title. Failure of the Family Court to order denial or suspension of a license
under § 516(g) of this title shall not in any way limit or affect the authority to deny or suspend a license as provided in
this section except as provided in § 516(h) of this title.
(m) The Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement may enter into such agreements with the Director of the Division
of Motor Vehicles, the Director of the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Director
of the Division of Professional Regulation and such other agencies as may be appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this
section.
70 Del. Laws, c. 452, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 216, §§ 60-74; 75 Del. Laws, c. 207, §§ 2, 3, 4.;
§ 2217. Credit bureau reporting.
Information regarding the amount of arrearages owed by an obligor shall be reported by the Division of Child Support Enforcement,
at such intervals as it determines, to consumer reporting agencies, as that term is defined in 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(f), or be
made available by the Division of Child Support Enforcement to any consumer reporting agency upon request, subject to the
following:
(1) The amount of arrearages are not less than $500.
(2) The information shall be made available only after the obligor owing the arrearages has been notified of the proposed
action and given a period of 20 days to contest the accuracy of the information.
(3) A fee for furnishing the information in an amount not exceeding the actual cost thereof may be imposed on the requesting
consumer reporting agency by the Division of Child Support Enforcement.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1.;
§ 2218. Requests for information.
(a) Upon receipt of a written request or a request by electronic means, where available, from the Director of the Division
of Child Support Enforcement in any case enforced by the Division pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
§ 651 et seq.), any employer, as that term is defined in § 513(b)(6) of this title, and any labor organization, as that term
is defined in § 710 of Title 19, shall cooperate with and provide relevant employment and income information in the possession
of such employer or labor organization to the Director or the Director's designee for the purpose of establishing paternity
or establishing, modifying or enforcing a child support order. Relevant employment and income information includes: the address
of the employer; whether the named person is a current or past employee or contractor of the employer, or whether the named
person has or has not been employed or hired as a contractor to the knowledge of the labor organization; the full name of
the employee, contractor or member; the last known residential address of the employee, contractor or member; the date of
birth of the employee, contractor or member; the social security number of the employee, contractor or member; all income,
as that term is defined in § 513(b)(5) of this title, paid to the employee, contractor or member in the prior and current
calendar year and the current rate of pay and benefits provided to the employee, member or contractor; and whether dependent
health insurance coverage is available to the employee or member through employment or membership in the labor organization,
together with information about the name of the health care insurer and the extent of the coverage available.
(b) An employer or labor organization shall be immune from any liability for providing information pursuant to this subsection.
(c) Any employer or labor organization that fails or refuses to provide the information described in this section within 15
days after receipt of a request from the Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement or as otherwise provided in
such request shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500. For a second or subsequent offense, such
employer or labor organization shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000. A fine under this section may not be
suspended. If the employer or labor organization is a corporation, criminal liability shall be established pursuant to §§
281-284 of Title 11.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2219. Obligation of parties to provide information.
Each party shall receive written notice, which may be contained in the support judgment or order, that he or she is required
to keep the court informed of his or her current residential address, drivers license number, telephone number, employer,
employer address and employer telephone number.
71 Del. Laws, c. 216, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2220. Definitions.
Unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the same
meaning as those defined in § 401(b) of this title.
