S1531

Senator Ronald L. Rice (D-Essex)

09 Jan: Assembly Approves Rice Bill To Authorize Waiver Of License Revocation For Child Support Delays

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice which would allow for the waiver of license suspension or revocation for an individual who is behind on child support payments was unanimously approved by the Assembly today, receiving final legislative approval.

“While I believe that parents will always have a responsibility to support their kids, this bill recognizes the realities of life in working-class New Jersey, in which folks have to have a reliable mode of transportation and a valid driver’s license to maintain their employment,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “Under current law, we use the threat of license revocation as a means to encourage parents to stay on track with their court-ordered child support payments, but we need to realize that without a license, most folks can’t keep a job and make their child support payments to begin with. This is a practical approach to allow parents to live up to their responsibilities.”

Senator Ronald L. Rice, D-Essex, addresses his colleagues on the Senate floor.

28 Nov: Assembly Committee Clears Rice Bill To Authorize Waiver Of License Revocation For Child Support Delays

TRENTON – An Assembly panel today released legislation Senator Ronald L. Rice sponsored to allow the waiver of license suspension or revocation for an individual who is behind on child support payments.

“This bill recognizes the realities of working in New Jersey, and that many working-class individuals cannot maintain employment and keep up with child support payments without reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “This bill does not eliminate a parent’s responsibility to support their children, whether the child is living with them or not. Through this legislation, we’re not trying to be lenient on deadbeat parents, but we are trying to make sure that parents who fall out of compliance with court-ordered child support still have the means to earn a paycheck and get back on track.”

Senator Ronald L. Rice (D-Essex)

09 Jun: Rice Bill To Authorize Waiver Of License Revocation For Child Support Delays Approved

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice which would allow for the waiver of license suspension or revocation for an individual who is behind on child support payments was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 35-0.

“This bill does not eliminate a parent’s responsibility to support their children, whether the child is living with them or not,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “This bill recognizes the realities of working New Jersey, and that many working-class individuals cannot maintain employment and keep up with child support payments without reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license. Through this legislation, we’re not trying to be lenient on deadbeat parents, but we are trying to make sure that parents who fall out of compliance with court-ordered child support still have the means to earn a paycheck and get back on track.”

Senator Ronald L. Rice, D-Essex, Vice Chairman of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee, speaks during a public hearing.

19 May: Rice Bill To Permit Court To Waive License Revocation For Child Support Delays

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice which would allow the court to waive the license revocation process for an individual who is behind on child support payments was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee today.

“I fully support judges using the tools at their disposal to enforce child support court orders and make sure people are paying what they owe,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “When you have a child, you have a responsibility to provide for the care for that child, whether that child is living with you or not. However, under the current rules, when the court imposes license revocation, they’re essentially putting parents in a position where there’s no way they can earn a paycheck and make future child support payments.”