PARENT'S RIGHTS NOW!

Louisiana closer to seizing gambling winnings for child support payments

The Louisiana Senate today approved a measure that would expand the state's authority to seize gambling winnings of parent who are more than 30 days late on child support payments. The 38-0 vote sends Senate Bill 53 by Sen. Nick Gautreaux, D-Abbeville, to the House.

Existing law allows the Department of Social Services to seize, among other assets, lottery winnings or progressive slot machine annuities. Gautreaux's proposal would add "cash gaming winnings" that exceed $1,200, the threshold that triggers filing of a W2-G form with the Internal Revenue Service. The affected parent would have 30 days to appeal the seizures.

The bill also requires the Department of Social Services to report annually to the Legislature on its program to capture gambling proceeds from delinquent parents.