In order for a State to meet the requirements of this section, the State agency must establish and operate a unit (which shall be known as the "State disbursement unit") for the collection and disbursement of payments under support orders-
The State disbursement unit shall be operated-
The State disbursement unit may be established by linking local disbursement units through an automated information network, subject to this section, if the Secretary agrees that the system will not cost more nor take more time to establish or operate than a centralized system. In addition, employers shall be given 1 location to which income withholding is sent.
The State disbursement unit shall use automated procedures, electronic processes, and computer-driven technology to the maximum extent feasible, efficient, and economical, for the collection and disbursement of support payments, including procedures-
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the State disbursement unit shall distribute all amounts payable under section 657(a) of this title within 2 business days after receipt from the employer or other source of periodic income, if sufficient information identifying the payee is provided. The date of collection for amounts collected and distributed under this part is the date of receipt by the State disbursement unit, except that if current support is withheld by an employer in the month when due and is received by the State disbursement unit in a month other than the month when due, the date of withholding may be deemed to be the date of collection.
The State disbursement unit may delay the distribution of collections toward arrearages until the resolution of any timely appeal with respect to such arrearages.
As used in this section, the term "business day" means a day on which State offices are open for regular business.
42 U.S.C. § 654b
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTFor effective date of this section, referred to in subsec. (b)(4), see Effective Date note below.
AMENDMENTS1997-Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 105-33 inserted at end "The date of collection for amounts collected and distributed under this part is the date of receipt by the State disbursement unit, except that if current support is withheld by an employer in the month when due and is received by the State disbursement unit in a month other than the month when due, the date of withholding may be deemed to be the date of collection."
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1997 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 105-33 effective as if included in the enactment of title III of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-193 see section 5557 of Pub. L. 105-33 set out as a note under section 608 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE Pub. L. 104-193, title III, §312(d), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2209, provided that: "(1) IN GENERAL.-Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending sections 654 and 654a of this title] shall become effective on October 1, 1998. "(2) LIMITED EXCEPTION TO UNIT HANDLING PAYMENTS.-Notwithstanding section 454B(b)(1) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 654b(b)(1)], as added by this section, any State which, as of the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 22, 1996], processes the receipt of child support payments through local courts may, at the option of the State, continue to process through September 30, 1999, such payments through such courts as processed such payments on or before such date of enactment." For provisions relating to effective date of title III of Pub. L. 104-193 see section 395(a)-(c) of Pub. L. 104-193 set out as an Effective Date of 1996 Amendment note under section 654 of this title.
- Secretary
- The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.1See References in Text note below.