Deadbeat Parents Face Losing Licenses

March 25, 1997
By: Missy Shelton
State Capital Bureau

A measure received first round approval suspending licenses of deadbeat parents.

Missy Shelton has the story from Jefferson City.

Story:Missy Shelton
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The Missouri Senate adopted a measure that would allow courts to revoke drivers', recreational, occupational, and professional licenses of those parents who fail to pay child support.

This applies to parents who are three months behind on payment or owe one thousand dollars, whichever is less.

Bill sponsor, Harold Caskey, said the idea behind this bill has been proven to work for other states.

Actuality:Harold Caskey
RunTime: 12 secs
OutCue: "...paying their child support."
Contents: "They say that the mere threat of the suspension accomplishes the fact without ever doing it. People start paying their child support."

But an amendment the senate tacked on to the bill requires parents be declared able to pay the support before they could lose professional or drivers' licenses.

The bill faces another vote before going to the House.

From Jefferson City, I'm Missy Shelton.


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