The California Reparations Task Force has proposed a significant change to the state's child support system as part of its final recommendations. The task force is urging the California legislature to abolish interest on overdue child support and eliminate any existing back child support debt specifically for Black residents.
The basis for this recommendation, outlined in the task force's comprehensive report, is the assertion that discriminatory laws have historically and disproportionately impacted African American families. The report highlights the burden of child support debt on Black Californians, who represent a higher percentage of those owing such debt compared to their overall population in the state.
The task force argues that the 10% interest levied on back child support creates substantial obstacles for Black residents seeking to pursue education, job training, secure employment, and maintain stable housing due to the legal ramifications of unpaid debt.
Referencing a 2003 California Department of Child Support Services study, the report points out that a significant portion of outstanding child support debt is attributed to unpaid interest. The study also indicated that individuals with child support obligations often earn less than the average Californian, making the interest payments a larger burden relative to their income.
The task force's recommendation calls for legislative action to eliminate all accrued interest on back child support, requiring only the repayment of the principal amount. Additionally, it suggests eliminating future interest accrual for low-income parents. Furthermore, the task force proposes amending existing family code to allow for compromise and forgiveness of child support debt based solely on a parent's financial situation and ability to pay.
This recommendation is part of a larger two-year investigation by the task force into the historical discrimination faced by Black Californians. The nearly 1,100-page report details various ways the task force believes the state has historically wronged descendants of enslaved people.
The California legislature will now review the task force's recommendations, including this proposal regarding child support debt, and determine which aspects to adopt.
