49.85 (5) EFFECT OF CERTIFICATION. Receipt of a certification by the department of revenue shall constitute a lien, equal to the amount certified, on any state tax refunds or credits owed to the obligor. The lien shall be foreclosed by the department of revenue as a setoff under s. 71.93. Certification of an amount under this section does not prohibit the department of health and family services or the department of workforce development children and families from attempting to recover or collect the amount through other legal means. The department of health and family services or the department of workforce development children and families shall promptly notify the department of revenue upon recovery or collection of any amount previously certified under this section.
SECTION 606. 49.852 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 49.852 (1m) and amended to read:
49.852 (1m) The department of workforce development may direct the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b) from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid a delinquent support obligor, except that the department of workforce development may not direct that an amount be withheld under this subsection unless it has met the notice requirements under sub. (2) and unless the amount specified has either not been appealed or is no longer under appeal under s. 49.854.
SECTION 607. 49.852 (1c) of the statutes is created to read:
49.852 (1c) In this section, "department" means the department of children and families.
SECTION 608. 49.852 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.852 (2) (intro.) The department of workforce development shall send a notice to the last-known address of the person from whom the department intends to recover the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b). The notice shall do all of the following:
SECTION 609. 49.852 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.852 (2) (c) Request that the person inform the department of workforce development or the appropriate county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) if a bankruptcy stay is in effect with respect to the person.
SECTION 610. 49.852 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.852 (3) If a person has requested a hearing pursuant to sub. (2) (b), the hearing shall be conducted before the circuit court that rendered the initial order to pay support. The court shall schedule a hearing within 10 business days after receiving a request for a hearing. A circuit court commissioner may conduct the hearing. If the court determines that the person owes the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), the department of workforce development may direct the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan, whichever is appropriate, to withhold the amount from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person. If the court determines that the person does not owe the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), the department of workforce development may not direct the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan, whichever is appropriate, to withhold the amount from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person.
SECTION 611. 49.852 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.852 (4) (a) If the department of workforce development directs the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), this directive shall constitute a lien, equal to the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket, on any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person.
SECTION 612. 49.852 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.852 (4) (b) If the department of workforce development directs the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan shall deduct from any lump sum payment that may be paid the person the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket, less any amount specified under par. (d). If the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), less any amount specified under par. (d), exceeds the lump sum payment, the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan shall deduct the entire lump sum payment, less any withholdings otherwise required by law. The amount deducted under this paragraph shall be remitted to the department of workforce development.
SECTION 613. 49.852 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.852 (4) (c) A directive to the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b) under this section does not prohibit the department of workforce development from attempting to recover the amount through other legal means.
SECTION 614. 49.852 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.852 (4) (d) The department of workforce development shall promptly notify the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan upon recovery of any amount previously specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b).
SECTION 615. 49.853 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.853 (1) (b) "Department" means the department of workforce development children and families.
SECTION 616. 49.854 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.854 (1) (a) "Department" means the department of workforce development children and families.
SECTION 617. 49.854 (11) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.854 (11) (b) The department. The department may assess a collection fee to recover the department's costs incurred in levying against property under this section. The department shall determine its costs to be paid in all cases of levy. The obligor is liable to the department for the amount of the collection fee authorized under this paragraph. Fees collected under this paragraph shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.445 (3) 20.437 (2) (ja).
SECTION 618. 49.855 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.855 (1) If a person obligated to pay child support, family support, maintenance, or the receiving and disbursing fee under s. 767.57 (1e) (a) is delinquent in making any of those payments, or owes an outstanding amount that has been ordered by the court for past support, medical expenses, or birth expenses, upon application under s. 59.53 (5) the department of workforce development children and families shall certify the delinquent payment or outstanding amount to the department of revenue and, at least annually, shall provide to the department of revenue any certifications of delinquencies or outstanding amounts that it receives from another state because the obligor resides in this state.
SECTION 619. 49.855 (2r) of the statutes is created to read:
49.855 (2r) At least annually, the department of children and families shall certify to the department of revenue any obligation owed to that department under s. 49.345 if the obligation is rendered to a judgment.
SECTION 620. 49.855 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.855 (3) Receipt of a certification by the department of revenue shall constitute a lien, equal to the amount certified, on any state tax refunds or credits owed to the obligor. The lien shall be foreclosed by the department of revenue as a setoff under s. 71.93 (3), (6), and (7). When the department of revenue determines that the obligor is otherwise entitled to a state tax refund or credit, it shall notify the obligor that the state intends to reduce any state tax refund or credit due the obligor by the amount the obligor is delinquent under the support, maintenance, or receiving and disbursing fee order or obligation, by the outstanding amount for past support, medical expenses, or birth expenses under the court order, or by the amount due under s. 46.10 (4), 49.345 (4), or 301.12 (4). The notice shall provide that within 20 days the obligor may request a hearing before the circuit court rendering the order under which the obligation arose. Within 10 days after receiving a request for hearing under this subsection, the court shall set the matter for hearing. Pending further order by the court or a circuit court commissioner, the department of workforce development children and families or its designee, whichever is appropriate, is prohibited from disbursing the obligor's state tax refund or credit. A circuit court commissioner may conduct the hearing. The sole issues at that hearing shall be whether the obligor owes the amount certified and, if not and it is a support or maintenance order, whether the money withheld from a tax refund or credit shall be paid to the obligor or held for future support or maintenance, except that the obligor's ability to pay shall also be an issue at the hearing if the obligation relates to an order under s. 767.51 (3) (e) 1. or 767.62 (4) (d) 1. s. 767.89 (3) (e) 1. or 767.805 (4) (d) 1. or 767.89 (3) (e) 1. and the order specifies that the court found that the obligor's income was at or below the poverty line established under 42 USC 9902 (2).
SECTION 621. 49.855 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.855 (4) (a) The department of revenue shall send the portion of any state tax refunds or credits withheld for delinquent child or family support or maintenance or past support, medical expenses, or birth expenses to the department of workforce development children and families or its designee for deposit in the support collections trust fund under s. 25.68 and shall send the portion of any state tax refunds or credits withheld for delinquent receiving and disbursing fees to the department of workforce development children and families or its designee for deposit in the appropriation account under s. 20.445 (3) 20.437 (2) (ja). The department of workforce development children and families shall make a settlement at least annually with the department of revenue. The settlement shall state the amounts certified, the amounts deducted from tax refunds and credits, and the administrative costs incurred by the department of revenue.
SECTION 622. 49.855 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.855 (4) (b) The department of administration shall send the portion of any federal tax refunds or credits received from the internal revenue service that was withheld for delinquent child or family support or maintenance or past support, medical expenses, or birth expenses to the department of workforce development children and families or its designee for deposit in the support collections trust fund under s. 25.68 and shall send the portion of any federal tax refunds or credits received from the internal revenue service that was withheld for delinquent receiving and disbursing fees to the department of workforce development children and families or its designee for deposit in the appropriation account under s. 20.445 (3) 20.437 (2) (ja).
SECTION 623. 49.855 (4m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.855 (4m) (b) The department of revenue may provide a certification that it receives under sub. (1), (2m), or (2p), or (2r) to the department of administration. Upon receipt of the certification, the department of administration shall determine whether the obligor is a vendor or is receiving any other payments from this state, except for wages, retirement benefits, or assistance under s. 45.352, 1971 stats., s. 45.40 (1), this chapter, or ch. 46, 108, or 301. If the department of administration determines that the obligor is a vendor or is receiving payments from this state, except for wages, retirement benefits, or assistance under s. 45.352, 1971 stats., s. 45.40 (1), this chapter, or ch. 46, 108, or 301, it shall begin to withhold the amount certified from those payments and shall notify the obligor that the state intends to reduce any payments due the obligor by the amount the obligor is delinquent under the support, maintenance, or receiving and disbursing fee order or obligation, by the outstanding amount for past support, medical expenses, or birth expenses under the court order, or by the amount due under s. 46.10 (4), 49.345 (4), or 301.12 (4). The notice shall provide that within 20 days after receipt of the notice the obligor may request a hearing before the circuit court rendering the order under which the obligation arose. An obligor may, within 20 days after receiving notice, request a hearing under this paragraph. Within 10 days after receiving a request for hearing under this paragraph, the court shall set the matter for hearing. A circuit court commissioner may conduct the hearing. Pending further order by the court or circuit court commissioner, the department of workforce development children and families or its designee, whichever is appropriate, may not disburse the payments withheld from the obligor. The sole issues at the hearing are whether the obligor owes the amount certified and, if not and it is a support or maintenance order, whether the money withheld shall be paid to the obligor or held for future support or maintenance, except that the obligor's ability to pay is also an issue at the hearing if the obligation relates to an order under s. 767.51 (3) (e) 1. or 767.62 (4) (d) 1. s. 767.89 (3) (e) 1. or 767.805 (4) (d) 1. or 767.89 (3) (e) 1. and the order specifies that the court found that the obligor's income was at or below the poverty line established under 42 USC 9902 (2).
SECTION 624. 49.855 (4m) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.855 (4m) (c) Except as provided by order of the court after hearing under par. (b), the department of administration shall continue withholding until the amount certified is recovered in full. The department of administration shall transfer the amounts withheld under this paragraph to the department of workforce development children and families or its designee, the department of health and family services, or the department of corrections, whichever is appropriate. The department of workforce development children and families or its designee shall deposit amounts withheld for delinquent child or family support, maintenance, or receiving and disbursing fees or past support, medical expenses, or birth expenses in the appropriation account under s. 20.445 (3) 20.437 (2) (kp).
SECTION 625. 49.855 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.855 (5) Certification of an obligation to the department of revenue does not deprive any party of the right to collect the obligation or to prosecute the obligor. The department of workforce development children and families or its designee shall immediately notify the department of revenue of any collection of an obligation that has been certified to the department of revenue.
SECTION 626. 49.856 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.856 (1) (b) "Department" means the department of workforce development children and families.
SECTION 627. 49.857 (1) (cf) of the statutes is created to read:
49.857 (1) (cf) "Department" means the department of children and families.
SECTION 628. 49.857 (1) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (1) (f) "Subpoena or warrant" means a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of workforce development or a child support agency and relating to paternity or support proceedings.
SECTION 629. 49.857 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (2) (a) The department of workforce development shall establish a system, in accordance with federal law, under which a licensing authority is requested, and a licensing agency or credentialing board is required, to restrict, limit, suspend, withhold, deny, refuse to grant or issue, or refuse to renew or revalidate a license in a timely manner upon certification by and in cooperation with the department of workforce development, if the individual holding or applying for the license is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of support or fails to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant.
SECTION 630. 49.857 (2) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (2) (b) (intro.) Under the system, the department of workforce development shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with a licensing authority, if the licensing authority agrees, and with a licensing agency. A memorandum of understanding under this paragraph shall address at least all of the following:
SECTION 631. 49.857 (2) (b) 2. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (2) (b) 2. (intro.) Procedures that the department of workforce development shall use for doing all of the following:
SECTION 632. 49.857 (2) (b) 2. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (2) (b) 2. a. Certifying to the licensing authority or licensing agency a delinquency in support or a failure to comply with a subpoena or warrant. The memorandum of understanding with the department of regulation and licensing shall include procedures for the department of regulation and licensing to notify a credentialing board that a certification of delinquency in support or failure to comply with a subpoena or warrant has been made by the department of workforce development children and families with respect to an individual who holds or applied for a credential granted by the credentialing board.
SECTION 633. 49.857 (2) (b) 3. c. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (2) (b) 3. c. Issuing or reinstating a license if the department of workforce development children and families notifies the licensing authority or licensing agency that an individual who was delinquent in making court-ordered payments of support has paid the delinquent support or made satisfactory alternative payment arrangements or that an individual who failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant has satisfied the requirements under the subpoena or warrant. The memorandum of understanding with the department of regulation and licensing shall include procedures for the department of regulation and licensing to direct a credentialing board to grant or reinstate a credential if the department of workforce development children and families notifies the department of regulation and licensing that an individual who holds or applied for a credential granted by the credentialing board has paid the delinquent support or made satisfactory alternative payment arrangements or that an individual who failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant has satisfied the requirements under the subpoena or warrant.
SECTION 634. 49.857 (2) (b) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (2) (b) 5. Procedures for safeguarding the confidentiality of information about an individual, including social security numbers obtained by the department of workforce development, the licensing authority, the licensing agency, or a credentialing board.
SECTION 635. 49.857 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (a) (intro.) Before the department of workforce development certifies to a licensing authority or a licensing agency under the system established under sub. (2) that an individual is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of support, the department of workforce development or a child support agency shall provide notice to the individual by regular mail. The notice shall inform the individual of all of the following:
SECTION 636. 49.857 (3) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (a) 4. That the certification will not be made if the individual pays the delinquent amount in full or makes satisfactory alternative payment arrangements with the department of workforce development or a child support agency. The notice shall inform the individual of how he or she may pay the delinquent amount or make satisfactory alternative payment arrangements.
SECTION 637. 49.857 (3) (ac) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (ac) 1. If an individual timely requests a hearing under par. (a) 5., the court shall schedule a hearing within 10 business days after receiving the request. A circuit court commissioner may conduct the hearing. The only issues at the hearing shall be whether the individual is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of support and whether any alternative payment arrangement offered by the department of workforce development or the county child support agency is reasonable.
SECTION 638. 49.857 (3) (ac) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (ac) 2. If at a hearing under subd. 1. the court or circuit court commissioner finds that the individual does not owe delinquent support, or if within 20 business days after receiving a notice under par. (a) the individual pays the delinquent amount in full or makes satisfactory alternative payment arrangements, the department of workforce development may not place the individual's name on a certification list.
SECTION 639. 49.857 (3) (ac) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (ac) 3. If at a hearing under subd. 1. the court or circuit court commissioner makes a written determination that alternative payment arrangements proposed by the department of workforce development or a child support agency are not reasonable, the court or circuit court commissioner may order for the individual an alternative payment arrangement. If the court or circuit court commissioner orders an alternative payment arrangement, the department of workforce development may not place the individual's name on a certification list.
SECTION 640. 49.857 (3) (am) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (am) (intro.) If an individual, after receiving notice under par. (a), does not timely request a hearing or pay the delinquent amount of support or make satisfactory alternative payment arrangements, the department of workforce development shall place the individual's name on a certification list. Thereafter, the department of workforce development or a child support agency shall provide a 2nd notice to the individual by regular mail that informs the individual of all of the following:
SECTION 641. 49.857 (3) (am) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (am) 4. That the certification will not be made if the individual pays the delinquent amount in full or makes satisfactory alternative payment arrangements with the department of workforce development or a child support agency. The notice shall inform the individual of how he or she may pay the delinquent amount or make satisfactory alternative payment arrangements.
SECTION 642. 49.857 (3) (ar) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (ar) 1. If an individual timely requests a hearing under par. (am) 5., the court shall schedule a hearing within 10 business days after receiving the request. A circuit court commissioner may conduct the hearing. The only issues at the hearing shall be whether the individual is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of support and whether any alternative payment arrangement offered by the department of workforce development or the county child support agency is reasonable.
SECTION 643. 49.857 (3) (ar) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (ar) 2. If at a hearing under subd. 1. the court or circuit court commissioner finds that the individual does not owe delinquent support, or if within 20 business days after receiving a notice under par. (am) the individual pays the delinquent amount in full or makes satisfactory alternative payment arrangements, the department of workforce development shall remove the individual's name from the certification list.
SECTION 644. 49.857 (3) (ar) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (ar) 3. If at a hearing under subd. 1. the court or circuit court commissioner makes a written determination that alternative payment arrangements proposed by the department of workforce development or a child support agency are not reasonable, the court or circuit court commissioner may order for the individual an alternative payment arrangement. If the court or circuit court commissioner orders an alternative payment arrangement, the department of workforce development may not place the individual's name on a certification list.
SECTION 645. 49.857 (3) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (b) (intro.) Any subpoena or warrant shall include notice to the individual of the effect that a failure to comply with the subpoena or warrant may have on any license that the individual holds or for which the individual applies. If the individual fails to comply, before the department of workforce development certifies to a licensing authority or a licensing agency under the system established under sub. (2) that an individual has failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant, the department of workforce development or a child support agency shall provide notice to the individual by regular mail. The notice shall inform the individual of all of the following:
SECTION 646. 49.857 (3) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (bm) If an individual, after receiving notice under par. (b), does not satisfy the requirements under the subpoena or warrant, the department of workforce development shall place the individual's name on a certification list.
SECTION 647. 49.857 (3) (c) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (c) (intro.) If the department of workforce development children and families provides a certification list to a licensing authority, a licensing agency or, with respect to a credential granted by a credentialing board, the department of regulation and licensing, upon receipt of the list the licensing authority if the licensing authority agrees, the licensing agency or, with respect to a credential granted by a credentialing board, the department of regulation and licensing shall do all of the following:
SECTION 648. 49.857 (3) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (d) 1. Subject to sub. (2) (d), if an individual who, on the basis of delinquent support, is denied a license or whose license, on the basis of delinquent support, is restricted, limited, suspended, or refused renewal or revalidation under a memorandum of understanding entered into under sub. (2) (b) pays the delinquent amount of support in full or makes satisfactory alternative payment arrangements, the department of workforce development children and families shall immediately notify the licensing authority or licensing agency to issue or reinstate the individual's license as provided in the memorandum of understanding. If the individual held or applied for a credential granted by a credentialing board, the department of regulation and licensing shall, upon notice by the department of workforce development children and families, notify the credentialing board to grant or reinstate the individual's credential.
SECTION 649. 49.857 (3) (d) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.857 (3) (d) 2. Subject to sub. (2) (d), if an individual who, on the basis of a failure to comply with a subpoena or warrant, is denied a license or whose license, on the basis of a failure to comply with a subpoena or warrant, is restricted, limited, suspended, or refused renewal or revalidation under a memorandum of understanding entered into under sub. (2) (b) satisfies the requirements under the subpoena or warrant, the department of workforce development children and families shall immediately notify the licensing authority or licensing agency to issue or reinstate the individual's license as provided in the memorandum of understanding. If the individual held or applied for a credential granted by a credentialing board, the department of regulation and licensing shall, upon notice by the department of workforce development children and families, notify the credentialing board to grant or reinstate the individual's credential.
