DES MOINES — Families United Action Network, (https://www.familiesunite.org), announced that Senator Amy Sinclair and Representative Mary Wolfe have introduced a FUAN recommended bill to stop the practice of suspending driver's licenses or traveling privileges for unpaid child support. Currently, the practice of suspending driver's licenses inhibits the ability to work and/or find work when sanctioned, and it does not help promote payments of fines and fees.
The purpose of this proposed change is to amend the Iowa Code which currently is counterproductive in that it results in the lessened ability to find work, as well as the ability to maintain work for those already employed. In rural communities, which includes a significant portion of Iowa, decent employment is found in the more metropolitan areas of the state. Amending the Iowa Code will allow people to search for work, to maintain employment needed to pay the child support in question, and stop making payee’s into criminals for matters that do not reflect driving ability or public safety.
Senate File 2237, House File 2006, and House File 2010 have yet to be scheduled a subcommittee in either chamber.
“In my years as an Iowa peace officer, I always thought it was pointless to suspend drivers who otherwise had a perfect driving record but just fell behind paying child support which had nothing to do with driving or safety.” said Tom McDermott, Retired Iowa Police Officer & FUAN Custodial Affairs Director.
Please review all of the Families United Action Network-FUAN's 2020 legislative recommendations at https://www.familiesunite.org/iowa-legislative-recommendations-2020/.