2005 Vermont Code - § 3903. — Child support debt

§ 3903. Child support debt

Except as otherwise provided in this section, any payment of Reach Up financial assistance made to or for the benefit of a dependent child creates a debt due and owing to the department for children and families by any responsible parent in an amount equal to the amount of Reach Up financial assistance paid.

(1) A debt shall not be incurred by any responsible parent while that parent receives public assistance for the benefit of any of his or her dependent children. A debt previously incurred by any responsible parent shall not be collected from the responsible parent while that parent receives public assistance for the benefit of his or her dependent children, or assistance under Title XVI of the Social Security Act.

(2) Collection of child support debts shall be made as provided by this section and section 3902 of this title and by subchapter 7 of chapter 11 of Title 15. Regardless of the amount of Reach Up financial assistance paid, the court may limit the child support debt, taking into consideration the criteria of section 659 of Title 15. The department for children and families and the responsible parent may limit the child support debt by stipulation which shall be enforceable on its terms unless it is modified. (Added 1979, No. 114 (Adj. Sess.); amended 1985, No. 63, § 19; 1989, No. 221 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. Oct. 1, 1990; 1999, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 116.)