Child Support Works Act of 2020

To amend part D of title IV of the Social Security Act to allow States to receive Federal matching payments for mandatory work activity programs for noncustodial parents, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Child Support Works Act of 2020 2. State option for mandatory work activity programs for noncustodial parents (a) State plan option Section 454(13) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 654(13) (1) by inserting (A) (13) (2) by adding and (3) by adding at the end the following: (B) provide, at the option of the State and subject to subsection (g) of section 455, mandatory work activity programs for noncustodial parents described in paragraph (2) of that subsection who are ordered to participate in work activities in accordance with procedures required under section 466(a)(15); . (b) Payment requirements Section 455 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 655 (g) In the case of a State that elects under section 454(13)(B) to provide mandatory work activity programs for noncustodial parents in cases subject to enforcement under the State plan who are ordered to participate in work activities in accordance with procedures required under section 466(a)(15), amounts expended by the State for such programs shall be included in the total amounts expended by the State during a quarter for purposes of payments under subsection (a)(1)(A) subject to the following: (1) The total amount paid under subsection (a)(1) to a State for amounts expended on such programs in any quarter shall not exceed an amount equal to 2 percent of the total amount expended by the State during the quarter for the operation of the plan approved under section 454 (excluding any amounts expended on such programs). (2) The programs are provided only for noncustodial parents who— (A) have a current child support order; (B) are unemployed, underemployed, or not making regular child support payments; and (C) meet such other eligibility criteria as the State may establish. . (c) Option To require TANF or SNAP work activities Section 466(a)(15) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(15) (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting (and, if the State has elected under section 454(13)(B) to provide mandatory work activity programs for noncustodial parents described in section 455(g)(2), in any case subject to enforcement under the State plan that involves such a noncustodial parent) with respect to a child receiving assistance under a State program funded under part A (2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting (or, in the case of a noncustodial parent described in section 455(g)(2), to participate in such work activities (as so defined) or in activities that would satisfy the work requirements that would apply to the noncustodial parent under subsection (d) or (o) of section 6 of the Food and Nutrition Act if the noncustodial parent were eligible for benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under that Act and were required to satisfy such work requirements) (as defined in section 407(d)) 3. Evaluation of effectiveness of work activity programs for noncustodial parents (a) In general Section 413 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 613 (1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and (2) by inserting after subsection (g), the following: (h) Evaluation of work activity programs for noncustodial parents (1) In general The Secretary shall conduct research to determine the effects of work activity programs for noncustodial parents funded under section 455(g) and required in accordance with section 466(a)(15) on child support payments, employment, earnings, and other factors, as determined by the Secretary. (2) Methodology The research conducted under paragraph (1) shall employ random assignment when feasible, or, when random assignment is not feasible, other research methods that allow for the strongest possible causal inferences. . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Section 403(a)(1)(B) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(1)(B) 413(h)(1) 413(i)(1) (2) Paragraph (3) of subsection (i) of section 413 of such Act (as redesignated by paragraph (1)(A)) is amended by striking section 413(h) of this Act this subsection

Summary: Child Support Works Act of 2020 This bill provides reimbursements to states that choose to implement mandatory work activity programs for noncustodial parents who have been ordered to participate in such activities under a state child support order.