42 U.S.C. 654: State plan for child and spousal support

2025

• Pub. L. 118–258 made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 5304 of title 25. (Supporting America's Children and Families Act) Law text · (7), (33)

2018

• Pub. L. 115–123 substituted "$35" for "$25" and, in two places, substituted "$550" for "$500". (Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018) Law text · (6)

2014

• Pub. L. 113–183, §301(c)(1), inserted before semicolon "(except that, if the individual applying for the services resides in a foreign reciprocating country or foreign treaty country, the State may opt to require the individual to request the services through the Central Authority … (Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act) Law text · (4)
• Pub. L. 113–79, §4030(v), amended Pub. L. 110–246, §4115(c)(2)(H). See 2008 Amendment note below. (Agricultural Act of 2014) Law text · (29), (D), (E)
• Pub. L. 113–183, §301(c)(2)(A), inserted ", a foreign treaty country," after "a foreign reciprocating country". (Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act) Law text · (32)
• Pub. L. 113–183, §301(c)(2)(B), substituted ", foreign treaty country, or foreign individual" for "or foreign obligee". (Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act) Law text · (32)

2008

• Pub. L. 110–246, §4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(V), made technical amendment to references in original act which appear in text as references to sections 2015(l)(1) and 2015 of title 7. (Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008) Law text · (4), (6)
• Pub. L. 110–246, §4115(c)(2)(H), as amended by Pub. L. 113–79, §4030(v), substituted "section 2012(l)" for "section 2012(h)" wherever appearing. (Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008) Law text · (29), (D), (E)
• Pub. L. 110–246, §4002(b)(1)(A), (B), (2)(V), substituted "supplemental nutrition assistance program" for "food stamp program" wherever appearing and made technical amendment to references in original act which appear in text as references to sections 2012(h) and 2015(l)(2) of title 7. (Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008) Law text · (29), (D), (E)

2006

• Pub. L. 109–171, §7310(a), designated existing provisions as cl. (i), redesignated former cls. (i) and (ii) as subcls. (I) and (II), respectively, of cl. (i), and added cl. (ii). (Deficit Reduction Act of 2005) Law text · (6)
• Pub. L. 109–171, §7303(b), substituted "$2,500" for "$5,000" in introductory provisions. (Deficit Reduction Act of 2005) Law text · (31)
• Pub. L. 109–171, §7301(b)(1)(C), added par. (34). (Deficit Reduction Act of 2005) Law text · (34)

1999

• Pub. L. 106–169, §401(g)(1), substituted "; or" for ", or" at end. (Foster Care Independence Act of 1999) Law text · (6)
• Pub. L. 106–169, §401(g)(2), substituted semicolon for comma at end. (Foster Care Independence Act of 1999) Law text · (9)
• Pub. L. 106–169, §401(g)(3), substituted "; and" for ", and" at end. (Foster Care Independence Act of 1999) Law text · (19)
• Pub. L. 106–169, §401(g)(1), substituted "; or" for ", or" at end. (Foster Care Independence Act of 1999) Law text · (19)
• Pub. L. 106–169, §401(g)(3), substituted "; and" for ", and" at end. (Foster Care Independence Act of 1999) Law text · (24)
• Pub. L. 106–169, §401(h), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to August 22, 1996. (Foster Care Independence Act of 1999) Law text · (24)

1997

• Pub. L. 105–33, §5548(a), added subcl. (IV). (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (4)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5531(a), substituted "an individual, other than an individual receiving assistance under a State program funded under part A or E, or under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX, or who is required by the State to cooperate with the State agency administering the … (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (6)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5552(1)(D), inserted concluding provisions. (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (8)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5552(1)(A), in introductory provisions, inserted ", for the purpose of establishing parentage, establishing, setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child support obligations, or making or enforcing a child custody or visitation determination, as defined in section 663(d)(1)… (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (8)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5552(1)(B), substituted "records; and" for "records, and". (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (8)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5552(1)(C), substituted "title," for "title;". (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (8)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5556(b), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 104–193, §344(a)(1)(F). See 1996 Amendment note below. (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (16)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5552(2), substituted "provide that the State will have" for "in the case of a State which has" and inserted "and" after "section 653 of this title,". (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (17)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5542(c), substituted "section 659(i)(5)" for "section 662(e)". (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (19)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5552(3)(A), struck out "will" before "have in effect" in introductory provisions. (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (26)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5552(3)(B), inserted ", modify," after "or to establish" and ", or to make or enforce a child custody determination" after "support". (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (26)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5552(3)(C)(i), (ii), inserted "or the child" after "1 party" and after "former party". (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (26)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5552(3)(D), inserted "or the child" after "1 party", substituted "another person" for "another party", inserted "to that person" after "release of the information", and substituted "party or the child" for "former party". (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (26)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5552(3)(C)(iii), (E), added subpars. (D) and (E). (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (26), (E)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5548(b)(1)(B), substituted cls. (i) and (ii) for (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (29)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5548(b)(1)(A), in introductory provisions, substituted "part A, the State program under part E, the State program under subchapter XIX, or the food stamp program, as defined under section 2012(h) of title 7," for "part A of this subchapter or the State program under subchapter XIX". (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (29)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5548(b)(2), substituted "the State program under part E, the State program under subchapter XIX, or the food stamp program, as defined under section 2012(h) of title 7" for "or the State program under subchapter XIX". (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (29)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5548(b)(3), substituted "individual and the State agency administering the State program funded under part A, the State agency administering the State program under part E, the State agency administering the State program under subchapter XIX, or the State agency admi… (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (29)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5545, substituted "section 659a(d)" for "section 659a(d)(2)". (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (32)
• Pub. L. 105–33, §5546(a), substituted "or enforce support orders, or" for "and enforce support orders, and", "guidelines established or adopted by such tribe or organization" for "guidelines established by such tribe or organization", "all collections" for "all funding collected", and "s… (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) Law text · (33)

1996

• Pub. L. 104–193, §375(a)(4), inserted at end of closing provisions "Nothing in paragraph (33) shall void any provision of any cooperative agreement entered into before August 22, 1996, nor shall such paragraph deprive any State of jurisdiction over Indian country (as so defined) that is lawfully ex… (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text
• Pub. L. 104–193, §301(a)(1), amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) read as follows: "provide that such State will undertake— (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (4)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §108(c)(11), substituted "pursuant to section 608(a)(3) of this title" for "under section 602(a)(26) of this title" and "payments collected," for "payments collected; except that this paragraph shall not apply to such payments for any month following the first month in… (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (5)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §301(a)(2)(A), substituted "provide that—" for "provide that" in introductory provisions. (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (6)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §301(a)(2)(B), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: "the child support collection or paternity determination services established under the plan shall be made available to any individual not otherwise eligible for such services upo… (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (6)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §301(a)(2)(C), (D), inserted "on individuals not receiving assistance under any State program funded under part A" after "such services shall be imposed", realigned margins, and substituted semicolon for comma at end. (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (6)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §301(a)(2)(D), realigned margins and substituted semicolon for comma at end. (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (6)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §301(a)(2)(D), realigned margins and substituted semicolon for comma before "and" at end. (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (6)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §108(c)(12), substituted "assistance under a State program funded" for "aid under a State plan approved". (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (6)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §301(a)(2)(D)(i), (E), realigned margins. (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (6)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §301(a)(2)(D)(ii), which directed substitution of a semicolon for the final comma, could not be executed because subpar. (E) already ended in a semicolon and not a comma. (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (6)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §375(c), inserted "and Indian tribes or tribal organizations (as defined in subsections (e) and (l) of section 5304 of title 25)" after "law enforcement officials". (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (7)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §395(d)(1)(D), substituted "noncustodial" for "absent" in introductory provisions. (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (8)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §316(g)(1)(A), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: "the Parent Locator Service in the Department of Health and Human Services;". (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (8)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §395(d)(2)(B), substituted "a noncustodial parent" for "an absent parent". (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (9), (C)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §324(b), added subpar. (E). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (9)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §302(b)(2), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted "and" after semicolon at end, and redesignated par. (12) as subpar. (B). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (11)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §304(a), added par. (12). Former par. (12) redesignated (11)(B). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (12)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §302(b)(2)(B), redesignated par. (12) as (11)(B). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (12)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §§316(g)(1)(B), 395(d)(1)(D), substituted "noncustodial parents" for "absent parents" and inserted before semicolon at end "and provide that information requests by parents who are residents of other States be treated with the same priority as requests by parents who are… (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (13)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §342(a)(1), (2), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and redesignated par. (15) as subpar. (B). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (14)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §342(a)(3), added par. (15). Former par. (15) redesignated (14)(B). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (15)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §342(a)(2), redesignated par. (15) as (14)(B). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (15)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §344(a)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 105–33, §5556(b), struck out ", at the option of the State," before "for the establishment", inserted "and operation by the State agency" after "for the establishment" and "meeting the requirements of section 654a of this title" after "i… (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (16)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §395(d)(1)(D), substituted "noncustodial parent" for "absent parent". (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (21)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §332, inserted "and will publicize the availability and encourage the use of procedures for voluntary establishment of paternity and child support by means the State deems appropriate" before semicolon. (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (23)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §344(a)(4), amended par. (24) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (24) read as follows: "provide that if the State, as of October 13, 1988, does not have in effect an automated data processing and information retrieval system meeting all of the requirements of paragraph … (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (24)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §301(b), added par. (25). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (25)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §303(a), added par. (26). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (26)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §312(a), added par. (27). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (27)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §313(a), added par. (28). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (28)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §333, added par. (29). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (29)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §343(b), added par. (30). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (30)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §370(a)(2), added par. (31). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (31)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §371(b), added par. (32). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (32)
• Pub. L. 104–193, §375(a)(1)–(3), added par. (33). (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) Law text · (33)

1995

• Pub. L. 104–35 substituted "1997" for "1995". Law text · (24)

1988

• Pub. L. 100–485, §104(a), substituted "on a monthly basis (or on a quarterly basis for so long as the Secretary determines with respect to a State that requiring such notice on a monthly basis would impose an unreasonable administrative burden)" for "at least annually". · (5)
• Pub. L. 100–485, §111(c), added cl. (D) and redesignated former cl. (D) as (E). · (6), (E)
• Pub. L. 100–485, §123(d), substituted "advance automated" for "advance automatic" in introductory provisions. · (16)
• Pub. L. 100–485, §123(a)(2), substituted "a statewide automated" for "an automatic". · (16)
• Pub. L. 100–485, §123(a)(1), added par. (24). · (24)

1987

• Pub. L. 100–203, §9142(a)(1)(A), (B), substituted "an assignment under section 602(a)(26) of this title or section 1396k of this title" for "an assignment under section 602(a)(26) of this title" and ", or, in the case of such a child with respect to whom an assignment under section 139… · (4)
• Pub. L. 100–203, §9142(a)(1)(C), inserted "or medical assistance under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter" after "children". · (4)
• Pub. L. 100–203, §9142(a)(2), substituted "provide that (A)" for "provide that," and added cl. (B). · (5)
• Pub. L. 100–203, §9141(a)(2), struck out "(except as provided in section 657(c) of this title)" after "apply to such payments". · (5)

1984

• Pub. L. 98–378, §11(b)(1), inserted "including an assignment with respect to a child on whose behalf a State agency is making foster care maintenance payments under part E of this subchapter," after "such assignment is effective," and inserted "or E" after "part A". · (4)
• Pub. L. 98–378, §12(a), substituted ", and" for "and, at the option of the State," before "from such parent" and inserted ", and only if the support obligation established with respect to the child is being enforced under the plan". · (4)
• Pub. L. 98–378, §3(e), inserted ", and the individual will be notified at least annually of the amount of the support payments collected;". · (5)
• Pub. L. 98–378, §12(b), struck out ", at the option of the State," before "support collection services" and inserted ", and only if the support obligation established with respect to the child is being enforced under the plan". · (6)
• Pub. L. 98–378, §3(c), substituted "shall be imposed, which shall be paid by the individual applying for such services, or recovered from the absent parent, or paid by the State out of its own funds (the payment of which from State funds shall not be considered as an administrative cos… · (6)
• Pub. L. 98–378, §21(d)(1), (3), added cl. (C). Former cl. (C) redesignated (D). · (6)
• Pub. L. 98–378, §21(d)(1), (2), redesignated former cl. (C) as (D) and substituted "fees" for "fee" before "so imposed". · (6)
• Pub. L. 98–369, §2663(j)(2)(B)(x), substituted "Health and Human Services" for "Health, Education, and Welfare". · (8)
• Pub. L. 98–369, §2663(c)(14)(A), struck out "of such parent" before "with respect to whom aid". · (9)
• Pub. L. 98–369, §2663(c)(14)(B), substituted "collection, and distribution" for "collection and distribution," before "of incentive payments". · (16)
• Pub. L. 98–378, §6(a), added cl. (D) and redesignated former cl. (D) as (E). · (16), (E)
• Pub. L. 98–378, §2663(c)(14)(C), realigned margin, substituted "provide that the State will accept" for "to accept", "will impose" for "and to impose", "will transmit" for "to transmit", and "will otherwise comply" for ", otherwise to comply". · (17)
• Pub. L. 98–378, §3(a), added par. (20). · (20)
• Pub. L. 98–378, §3(d), added par. (21). · (21)
• Pub. L. 98–378, §5(b), added par. (22). · (22)
• Pub. L. 98–378, §14(a), added par. (23). · (23)
• Pub. L. 98–378, §3(f), inserted after numbered paragraphs provision that the State may allow the jurisdiction which makes the collection involved to retain any application fee under par. (6)(B) or any late payment fee under par. (21). · (23)

1982

• Pub. L. 97–248, §173(a), inserted "following the first month" after "for any month". · (5)
• Pub. L. 97–248, §171(a), in cl. (A) inserted provisions relating to inclusion of, at the option of the State, support collection services for the spouse or former spouse, in cl. (B) substituted "such services" for "services under the State plan (other than collection of support)", and in … · (6)
• Pub. L. 97–248, §171(b)(1), inserted "and" at end of par. (18), struck out par. (19) relating to imposition of a fee on an individual who owes child or spousal support obligation, and redesignated par. (20) as (19). · (18), (19), (20)

1981

• Pub. L. 97–35, §2332(d)(2), substituted in provision preceding par. (1) "child and spousal support" for "child support".
• Pub. L. 97–35, §2332(d)(3), substituted "such support) and, at the option of the State, from such parent for his spouse (or former spouse) receiving aid to families with dependent children (but only if a support obligation has been established with respect to such spouse), utilizing" f… · (4)
• Pub. L. 97–35, §2332(d)(4), substituted "support payments" for "child support payments" and "collected for an individual" for "collected for a child". · (5)
• Pub. L. 97–35, §2333(a)(1), substituted "services under the State plan (other than collection of support)" for "such services". · (6)
• Pub. L. 97–35, §2333(a)(2), substituted "the State will retain, but only if it is the State which makes the collection, the fee imposed under State law as required under paragraph (19)" for "any costs in excess of the fee so imposed may be collected from such individual by deducting su… · (6)
• Pub. L. 97–35, §2332(d)(5), substituted "of the child or children or the parent of such child or children" for "of a child or children". · (9)
• Pub. L. 97–35, §2332(d)(6), substituted "collected as support" for "collected as child support". · (11)
• Pub. L. 97–35, §2332(d)(7), substituted "support enforcement" for "child support enforcement", "whom support obligations" for "whom child support obligations", and "obligated to pay support" for "obligated to pay child support". · (16)
• Pub. L. 97–35, §2331(b), added par. (18). · (18)
• Pub. L. 97–35, §2333(b), added par. (19). · (19)
• Pub. L. 97–35, §2335(a), added par. (20). · (20)

1980

• Pub. L. 96–265 added par. (16). · (16)
• Pub. L. 96–611 added par. (17). · (17)

1977

• Pub. L. 95–30 added pars. (14) and (15). · (14), (15)

1975

• Pub. L. 94–88, §208(b), substituted "to establish the paternity of such child, unless the agency administering the plan of the State under part A of this subchapter determines in accordance with the standards prescribed by the Secretary pursuant to section 602(a)(26)(B) of this title t… · (4)
• Pub. L. 94–88, §208(c), substituted "reciprocal arrangements adopted with other States (unless the agency administering the plan of the State under part A of this subchapter determines in accordance with the standards prescribed by the Secretary pursuant to section 602(a)(26)(B) of thi… · (4)