Deadbeat Parents Could Lose Driving Privileges
None by KCPW
(KCPW News) Deadbeat parents who fail to pay child support should have their driver licenses suspended, according to Utah lawmakers. Divorced mother Lori Russell says Utah isn't tough enough on dads who can pay but don't:"My kids have been in a car for three years that didn't have heat, blankets all over us," says Russell. "Now, could my husband give up his snakeskin boots to drive around in a car like that? Probably never, but he just won't pay his child support. We have to get tough."
Yesterday the Legislature's Judiciary Interim Committee approved a measure that would suspend driving privileges of a person who is at least 60 days behind in child support. A similar measure failed on a tie vote in the Utah Senate during the last session.
Some conservative lawmakers say child support enforcement should be up to the courts, not the Driver License Division. Others worry a suspended driver license would impair a person's ability to get to work and make a living.
Child advocates say lawmakers should worry more about the needs of children than the comfort of their deadbeat parents.
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW
1. wayne Searle said:
Lets not get carried away blaming dads as deadbeats. This is the first step to get legislation for ORS to attach all sorts of debts owed to the State. Utah philosophy ordains it. Economics don't warrant it.
2. Doug Bird said:
As far as I could tell, the law and this report makes no reference to "dads" or "fathers" whatsoever. It also makes no reference to "blaming". When the parent ordered to pay child support is proven to be failing at it, its not really a matter of "blame" its simply an attribute.