Child Support - Driver's License Suspension for Arrearages and Court Orders
HB 681 changes Maryland law to require courts to send child support calculation details and orders to the Child Support Administration after establishing a payment order. It modifies license suspension rules by mandating written notice to parents (obligors) before suspension, including their right to request an investigation for inaccurate arrears, employment impact, or undue hardship. The bill also establishes a process for administrative appeals and requires reinstatement of licenses once payments are made, a payment agreement is met, or hardship grounds are verified. This directly affects parents who owe child support and streamlines communication between courts, child support agencies, and the Motor Vehicle Administration.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 24, 2025
Signed May 13, 2025
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First - Child Support - Driver's License Suspension for Arrearages and Court Orders
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5 edits
MODERATE
This bill adds procedural steps to protect drivers from license suspension due to child support arrears. It requires the state to notify drivers before suspending their licenses and gives them a chance to request an investigation into potential hardships like disability or employment needs. The bill also clarifies when licenses should be reinstated after compliance.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on child support enforcement but adds procedural protections for drivers facing license suspension due to unpaid support.
REQUIREMENT
Added requirement for the state to send written notice to drivers before suspending their licenses for child support arrears.
ENFORCEMENT
Added process for drivers to request an investigation of suspension grounds, including ability to appeal to administrative hearings.
ELIGIBILITY
Modified suspension criteria to include specific hardship grounds like documented disability or inability to comply with court orders.
TIMELINE
Added 20-day deadline for filing appeals after investigation results are notified.
TECHNICAL
Changed bill header from 'A BILL ENTITLED' to 'CHAPTER ______' indicating legislative formatting update.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 23, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2025
How they voted
46–0
Passed
Total votes 46
Mar 23, 2025
D
Democratic33
100% Yea
R
Republican13
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 578
executive
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 23, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (46-0)
senate
Mar 14, 2025
Committee
Referred Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Judiciary
lower
Mar 3, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (111-25-3)
house of delegates
Jan 24, 2025
Committee
First Reading Judiciary
lower
13 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Charlotte Crutchfield
DDemocratic
P
Cheryl Pasteur
DDemocratic
P
Frank Conaway
DDemocratic
P
Gabriel Acevero
DDemocratic
P
Jackie Addison
DDemocratic
P
Jamila Woods
DDemocratic
P
JP
Joseline Peña-Melnyk
DDemocratic
P
Karen Toles
DDemocratic
P
Kent Roberson
DDemocratic
P
Malcolm Ruff
DDemocratic
P
Marlon Amprey
DDemocratic
P
Marvin Holmes
DDemocratic
P
Nicole Williams
DDemocratic
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