2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26105452D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1346

Offered January 19, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 19 of Title 63.2 an article numbered 4.1, consisting of sections numbered 63.2-1922.1, 63.2-1922.2, and 63.2-1922.3, relating to Noncustodial Parent Employment and Child Support Pilot Program established; report; work group; sunset.

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Patron—Clark

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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 19 of Title 63.2 an article numbered 4.1, consisting of sections numbered 63.2-1922.1, 63.2-1922.2, and 63.2-1922.3, as follows:

Article 4.1.

Noncustodial Parent Employment and Child Support Pilot Program.

§ 63.2-1922.1. Noncustodial Parent Employment and Child Support Pilot Program established; purpose.

There is hereby created in the Department the Noncustodial Parent Employment and Child Support Pilot Program (the Program). The purpose of the Program is assist noncustodial parents who are in arrears on child support payments or unemployed or underemployed with referrals to various resources, including employment referrals, employment skills training, education classes, parenting classes, and other forms of case management in lieu of or in addition to any available remedy to enforce or collect child support payments.

§ 63.2-1922.2. Program criteria.

The Department shall establish criteria for parental participation in the Program. Such criteria may include employment requirements and income thresholds. The Department may also identify and limit participation to specific courts and specific jurisdictions.

§ 63.2-1922.3. Reporting requirements.

The Department shall report annually by December 1 to the Governor and the General Assembly data and information about the Program, including the number of parents participating in the Program, any reduction in the use of enforcement remedies to collect child support payments, and the amount of child support payments paid on time by parent participants.

2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2031.

3. That the Department of Social Services (the Department) shall convene a work group that shall include representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, the Virginia Poverty Law Center, the Virginia Family Law Coalition, and any other relevant stakeholder to advise the Department on the design of the Noncustodial Parent Employment and Child Support Pilot Program (the Program) established pursuant to this act and criteria for participation in such Program.