The Oregon Administrative Rules contain OARs filed through November 15, 2015

 

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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

 


DIVISION 55
OREGON CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM

137-055-1020
Child Support Program Definitions
The following
definitions apply to OAR 137-055-1040 through 137-055-7190:
(1) Unless
otherwise stated, “administrator” means either the Administrator of
the Division of Child Support of the Department of Justice or a district attorney,
or the administrator’s or a district attorney’s authorized representative.
(2) "Assignee"
means the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Oregon Health Authority (OHA),
the Division of Child Support, Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) or equivalent agencies
in any other state or Tribe to which support rights for a person are assigned.
(3) "Assignment"
or “Assigned” means all or a portion of support payments owed to a person
will be kept by the state if the person or a beneficiary of the person is receiving
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance, foster care, or
OYA services. Support payments will be distributed as provided in OAR 137-055-6022.
Additionally, if a person receives Title XIX medical assistance, medical support
rights are assigned.
(4) "Beneficiary"
means any child, spouse or former spouse for whom an obligor has been ordered (or
has agreed) to pay support, under a court or administrative order, or a voluntary
agreement.
(5) “Child
Support Award” means a money award or administrative order that requires the
payment of child support.
(6) “Child
Support Program” or ACSP” is the program authorized under title IV-D
of the Social Security Act to provide child support enforcement services required
by federal and state law. The CSP director in Oregon is the Administrator of the
Division of Child Support. The CSP includes the Division of Child Support and those
district attorneys that contract to provide services described in ORS 25.080.
(7) "Class
Order" means a support order for multiple children that does not specify an amount
of support per child and requires the payment of the entire amount until the last
child attains majority or until the order is prospectively modified.
(8) "Court
Order" means any judgment or order of the court requiring an obligor to provide
child or spousal and/or health care coverage, for specified beneficiaries.
(9) "Court
ordered Amount", or "COA", means the periodic payment amount, usually monthly, ordered
by the administrator, an administrative law judge or by a court for support. The
COA can be either the amount for each beneficiary on a support case, or the total
amount for all beneficiaries in a single support case.
(10)
"Department of Human Services”, or “DHS”, is the state's health
and human services agency. DHS is responsible for public assistance programs such
as: TANF, Food Stamps, child-protective services, and foster care and adoption programs.
(11) “Disbursement”
means dispensing or paying out collected support.
(12) “Distribution”
means allocating or apportioning collected support.
(13)
"District Attorney", or "DA", means the district attorney for an Oregon county responsible
for providing services under ORS 25.080.
(14) “Division
of Child Support”, or “DCS”, is the Division of Oregon's Department
of Justice that is responsible for providing services under ORS 25.080.
(15) "Guidelines"
refers to the guidelines, the formula, and related provisions established by DCS,
in OAR 137-050-0705 through 137-050-0765.
(16) "Income
Withholding" means a judicial or administrative process under which an obligor's
employer, trustee, or other provider of income is ordered to withhold a specified
percentage, or a specified amount, from each and every paycheck or benefit payment
of an obligor, for the purpose of paying current and past due support. Income withholding
is distinguished from garnishment as follows: income withholding will occur continuously
under a single order and is not subject to claim of exemption; a garnishment occurs
for only a limited duration under a single writ and is subject to certain property
exemptions provided by law.
(17) “Initiating
agency” means a state or tribal IV-D agency, or a child support agency in
a reciprocating foreign country, in which an individual has applied for or is receiving
child support services.
(18) “Intergovernmental”
means a case or action that involves a tribe, another country, or another state’s
child support agency.
(19) “Issuing
jurisdiction” means the state, tribe or reciprocating foreign country in which
a tribunal issues a support order or renders a judgment determining parentage and
includes an “issuing state” as defined in ORS 110.303(9).
(20) “Judgment
Lien” means the effect of a judgment on real property for the county in which
the judgment is entered, or such other county where the lien is recorded, and includes
any support arrearage lien attaching to real property.
(21) “Judgment
Remedy” means the ability of a judgment creditor to enforce a judgment, including
enforcement through a judgment lien.
(22) “Legal
proceeding” means any action related to the support order that requires service
of documents on the parties. For the purposes of OAR 137-055-1140 and 137-055-1160,
“legal proceeding” means a proceeding initiated by the administrator.
(23) “Medicaid”
refers to Title XIX of the Social Security Act (see the definition under “Title
XIX”).
(24) “Money
Award” means a judgment or portion of a judgment that requires the payment
of money. A money award will always refer to a sum certain and will not require
a payment in installments.
(25) “Oregon
Health Authority” or “OHA” is the State of Oregon agency acting
as the state Medicaid agency for administration of funds from Title XIX and XXI
of the Social Security Act and to administer medical assistance under ORS chapter
414.
(26) “Oregon
Youth Authority”, or “OYA”, is the State of Oregon agency responsible
for the supervision, management, and administration of state parole and probation
services, community out-of-home placements, and youth correction facilities for
youth offenders, and other functions related to state programs for youth corrections.
(27) “Party”
means an obligor, obligee, a child attending school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110,
and includes any person who has been joined to the proceeding.
(28) “Responding agency” means
the agency that is providing services in response to a referral from an initiating
agency in an intergovernmental case.
(29) “Subsequent child”
means a child whose paternity or support has not been established and who is born
to the same parents of another child, or who has not been included in a support
order for another child with the same parties.
(30) "Support"
means monetary payments, health care coverage payments or premiums, cash medical
payments or other benefits or payments that a person has been ordered by a court
or by administrative process, or has voluntarily agreed, to provide for the benefit
and maintenance of another person.
(31) “Support
Arrearage Lien” means a lien that attaches to real property when an installment
becomes due under the terms of a support award and is not paid.
(32) “Support
Award” means a money award or administrative order that requires the payment
of child or spousal support.
(33) “Support
Order” means a judgment or order, whether temporary, final or subject to modification,
which reflects an obligation to contribute to the support of a child, a spouse or
a former spouse, and requires an obligor to provide monetary support, health care,
arrears or reimbursement. A support order may include related costs and fees, interest,
income withholding, attorney fees and other relief.
(34) “TANF”
means “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families”, a public assistance
program which provides case management and cash assistance to low income families
with minor children. It is designed to promote personal responsibility and accountability
for parents. The goal of the program is to reduce the number of families living
in poverty through employment services and community resources. Title IV-A of the
Social Security Act is the specific provision that gives grants to states and Tribes
for aid and services to needy families with dependent children.
(35) “Tiered”
order means an order which includes an amount of support to be paid if an adult
child becomes a child attending school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110.
(36) “Title
IV-A” refers to Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, which is the specific
provision that gives grants to states and Tribes for aid and services to needy families
with dependent children (see “TANF”). Applicants for assistance from
IV-A programs are automatically referred to their state IV-D agency in order to
identify and locate the non-custodial parent, establish paternity or a child support
order, and obtain child support payments.
(37) “Title
IV-D” refers to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, which requires each
state to create a program to locate noncustodial parents, establish paternity, establish
and enforce child support obligations, and collect, distribute and disburse support
payments. Recipients of IV-A (TANF), IV-E (foster care), XIX (Medicaid), and Oregon
Youth Authority (OYA) assistance are referred to their state's IV-D child support
program. States must also accept applications from families who do not receive assistance,
if requested, to assist in collection of child support. Title IV-D also established
the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement.
(38) “Title
IV-E” refers to Title IV-E of the Social Security Act which established a
federal-state program known as Foster Care that provides financial support to a
person, family, or institution that is raising a child or children that is not their
own. The funding for IV-E foster care programs is primarily from federal sources.
(39) “Title
XIX”, known as Medicaid, refers to Title XIX of the Social Security Act which
mandates health care coverage by states for TANF recipients and certain other means-tested
categories of persons. Within broad national guidelines which the federal government
provides, each state: establishes its own eligibility standards; determines the
type, amount, duration, and scope of services; sets the rate of payment for services;
and administers its own program. In Oregon, the program is administered by OHA.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 18.005, 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.:
AFS 10-1990, f. 3-14-90, cert. ef. 4-1-90; AFS 14-1990, f. & cert. ef. 6-7-90;
AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0001; AFS 28-2001,
f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru
12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1020; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03,
Renumbered from 461-200-1020; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 1-2006,
f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 1-2007,
f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 5-2007, f. & cert. ef. 7-2-07; DOJ 8-2007, f.
9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 3-2011(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-1040
"Party Status" in Court and Administrative Proceedings
(1) In any proceeding to establish, modify or enforce a paternity or support obligation initiated by the administrator (as defined in OAR 137-055-1020), the administrator represents only the interests of the state.
(2) In any action taken under ORS 25.080, the State of Oregon, the obligor, and the obligee are parties.
(3) In any action taken under ORS 25.080, for purposes of Oregon Administrative Rules, chapter 137, division 55, a child attending school as defined in ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110, is a necessary party to all legal proceedings.
Stat. Auth.:ORS 18.005, 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: AFS 23-1992, f. 8-14-92, cert. ef. 9-1-92; AFS 3-1994, f. & cert. ef. 2-1-94; AFS 18-1994, f. 8-25-94, cert. ef. 9-1-94; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0065; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1040; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1040; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06
137-055-1060
Uniform Application for Child Support Enforcement Services
(1) The administrator will provide a standard application form to any person requesting child support enforcement services. Except for the application form, the notice required under section (3) of this rule, and any statements necessary to respond to inquiries about these forms, or as provided in OAR 137-055-5110, no other written or oral statements concerning an applicant's qualification for services nor any contract for service will be offered.
(2) The application form must:
(a) Contain a statement that the applicant is requesting child support services;
(b) Require the applicant's signature and date of application.
(3) The administrator will provide a notice to applicants for child support enforcement services, which includes the following information:
(a) The applicant's rights and responsibilities;
(b) An explanation of enforcement activities for which fees are charged;
(c) Policies on cost recovery; and
(d) Policies on distribution and disbursement of collections.
(4) A standardized application form and the notice required under section (3) will be readily available to the public in each Child Support Program (CSP) office:
(a) The administrator will provide a standardized application form, and the notice required under section (3), upon request to any individual who requests services in person;
(b) When a request for child support enforcement services is made in writing or by telephone, the administrator will send the individual a standardized application form and the notice required under section (3), within five working days from the date the request is made.
(5) The administrator will accept an application as it is filed, on the day it is received.
(6) The administrator will create a case on the computerized system within two working days of receipt of the application providing circumstances beyond the control of the administrator do not occur.
(7) The administrator will provide the notice required under section (3) of this rule:
(a) If the requesting individual or a beneficiary of such person is not receiving assistance in the form of TANF cash assistance, Medicaid, foster care or Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) services, along with a standard application form;
(b) If the requesting individual or a beneficiary of such person receives assistance in the form of TANF cash assistance, Medicaid, foster care or OYA services, within five working days of referral from the Department of Human Services (DHS) or the OYA.
(8) Once an application for child support services is accepted, if necessary for establishment and/or enforcement purposes, the administrator will solicit additional relevant information by means of a form approved by the CSP.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: AFS 16-1994, f. 8-4-94, cert. ef. 12-1-94; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0043; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1060; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1060; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 10-2008, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-08
137-055-1070
Provision of Services
(1) For the purposes of this rule, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Full services case" means a case in which the full range of support enforcement services required under ORS 25.080(4) are provided;
(b) "Limited services case" means a case in which the provisions of ORS 25.080 do not apply and one or more collection, accounting, distribution and disbursement or enforcement services are provided pursuant to state or federal law;
(c) An “establishing paternity only” case means a case in which the only service requested under ORS 25.080 by a party is the establishment of paternity for a minor child.
(2) When any Oregon judgment or support order for child and/or spousal support is received, the administrator will:
(a) If the order requires payment of child support or child and spousal support and seeks collection, accounting, distribution, disbursement and enforcement services:
(A) Create a full services case on the Child Support Enforcement Automated System (CSEAS) if one does not already exist;
(B) Initiate appropriate enforcement action;
(C) Unless the order contains the signed request of a party, send the parties a standardized application form; and
(D) Send the parties the information required in OAR 137-055-1060(3);
(b) If the order requires payment of spousal support only and seeks collection, accounting, distribution, disbursement and enforcement services, process the order pursuant to OAR 137-055-2045.
(c) If the order is silent, unclear or contradictory on the services to be provided and no application or other written request for support enforcement services has been received:
(A) Create an information only case on the CSEAS for the state case registry if one does not already exist; and
(B) Send the parties a letter explaining that no services will be provided and why. The letter must include a statement that the parties may apply for support enforcement services at any time if the order includes a provision for child support.
(d) If the order seeks only payment through the Department of Justice and no application or other written request for support enforcement services has been received:
(A) Create an information only case on the CSEAS for the state case registry, if one does not already exist, to receive and disburse payments in accordance with OAR 137-055- 6021; and
(B) Send the parties a letter explaining that the program will only provide disbursement of support payments and why. The letter must include a statement that a party may apply for support enforcement services at any time if the order includes a provision for child support.
(e) If the order seeks only services sufficient to permit establishment of income withholding for child support or child and spousal support as provided in ORS 25.381(2)(a):
(A) Create a limited services case on the CSEAS if one does not already exist;
(B) Establish income withholding under ORS 25.378; and
(C) Receive and disburse payments in accordance with OAR 137-055-6021.
(f) If the provisions of subsection (c) or subsection (d) apply and a party subsequently completes an application or other written request for support enforcement services, the administrator will process the application or request in accordance with OAR 137-055-1060.
(3) When a person applies for services under OAR 137-055-1060 for establishment or enforcement of a child support order, the case is a full services case.
(a) The administrator will perform all mandated services under state and federal law; and
(b) The administrator will determine which non-mandated services will be provided, but may consider input from the applicant in making that determination.
(4)(a) When a person applies for services under OAR 137-055-1060 and there is more than one parent who may be obligated to pay support, the applicant may apply for services:
(A) To establish and collect support from only one parent; or
(B) To establish and collect support from more than one parent.
(b) A separate application under OAR 137-055-1060 is required for each parent the applicant wishes to pursue.
(5) When a parent or alleged parent applies for “establishing paternity only” services as defined in subsection (1)(c), the program will accept the case and provide only paternity establishment services if:
(a) The child was born in Oregon;
(b) The administrator has jurisdiction to establish paternity;
(c) There is no legal presumption of paternity under ORS 109.070, or if there is, the husband and wife are seeking to add the husband to the birth record;
(d) Paternity is not already established;
(e) The child does not receive public assistance; and
(f) The program is not already providing full services.
(6) A parent or alleged parent applying for “establishing paternity only” services as defined in subsection (1)(c) must complete an application for services in substantially the same form as an application under OAR 137-055-1060.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020, 25.080, 25.140, 25.164, 25.381 & 107.108

Hist.: AFS 20-2002, f. 12-20-02 cert. ef. 1-1-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1070; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1070; DOJ 10-2004, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-04; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 10-2008, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-08; DOJ 2-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10 thru 7-1-10; DOJ 8-2010, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-10
137-055-1080
Fees
(1) As used in this rule, reporting year means October 1 of one year through September 30 of the following year.
(2) As required by 45 CFR 302.33, the Oregon Child Support Program (CSP) will assess:
(a) A $1 application fee on behalf of each applicant whose family is not receiving assistance in the form of TANF cash assistance, Medicaid, foster care or Oregon Youth Authority services and who applies to the CSP for support enforcement services;
(b) A $25 annual fee for each support case where:
(A) The obligee, child, or a child attending school as defined in OAR 137-055-5110, has never received assistance under a state program funded under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act;
(B) At least $500 of child support has been disbursed to the family in the reporting year; and
(C) Oregon is not providing services at the request of another state pursuant to 45 CFR 303.7.
(3) The Department of Justice (DOJ) may collect the fee specified in subsection (2)(a) of this rule from each applicant by deducting it from any unassigned support receipted by DOJ.
(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of CSP administrative rule, and except as provided in section (5), DOJ may collect the fee specified in subsection (2)(b) of this rule from each obligee or child attending school, if applicable, by deducting it from any unassigned child support receipted by DOJ during the reporting year.
(5) Fees specified in subsection (2)(b) of this rule may not be collected from an applicant or child attending school, if applicable, who is a resident of a foreign country.
(6) Fees recovered pursuant to section (4) of this rule may be recovered on a pro rata basis from both the obligee and any child attending school if the provisions of OAR 137-055-5110 apply.
(7) If payment of child support is such that the entire amount of the fee cannot be collected in a single reporting year, the amount that remains owing:
(a) Will not accumulate or accrue from reporting year to reporting year; and
(b) Will be paid by DOJ for the reporting year in which the fee became due.
(8) Once a fee has been collected, it will not be returned, even if the obligee, child or a child attending school later receives TANF.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345, 45 CFR 302.33

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080, 25.150

Hist.: AFS 56-1985(Temp), f. & ef. 10-1-85; AFS 2-1986, f. & ef. 1-17-86; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0048; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0045; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1080; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1080; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07
137-055-1090
Good Cause
(1) For the purposes of OAR chapter
137, division 55, good cause means the Child Support Program (CSP) is exempt from
providing services as defined in ORS 25.080. Specifically excluded from this definition
are good cause for not withholding as defined in 25.396 and OAR 137-055-4060 and
good cause found for not disbursing support to a child attending school under ORS
107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110.
(2) If an obligee believes
that physical or emotional harm to the family may result if services under ORS 25.080
are provided, the obligee may request, either verbally or in writing, that the administrator
discontinue all activity against the obligor. Upon such a request by an obligee,
the administrator will:
(a) On an open TANF or Medicaid
case, immediately suspend all activity on the case, notify DHS or OHA to add good
cause coding, and send a safety packet to the obligee requesting a response be sent
to DHS; or
(b) On any other case, immediately
suspend all activity on the case, add good cause case coding pending a final determination,
and send a Client Safety Packet on Good Cause to the obligee requesting a response
within 30 days.
(3) Good cause must be determined
by:
(a) The Department of Human
Services (DHS), pursuant to OAR 413-100-0830, 461-120-0350, 461-135-1200 or 461-135-1205,
if TANF or Title IV-E benefits are being provided;
(b) The Oregon Health Authority
(OHA), pursuant to OAR 461-120-0350 and 410-200-0220, if Medicaid benefits are being
provided;
(c) The Oregon Youth Authority
(OYA), pursuant to OAR 416-100-0020 and Policy Statement I-B-7.0, if the child is
in OYA’s custody;
(d) The Director of the CSP
when the provisions of OAR 137-055-3080 apply; or
(e) The administrator when
the provisions of subsections (a) through (d) of this section do not apply.
(4) When the provisions of
subsection (3)(e) apply and the obligee makes a written claim that the provision
of services may result in emotional or physical harm to the child or obligee or
completes and returns the good cause form, the administrator will:
(a) Make a finding and determination
that it is in the best interests of the child not to provide services;
(b) Proceed with case closure
pursuant to OAR 137-055-1120; and
(c) File credit all arrears.
(5) In determining whether
providing services is in the best interest of the child under section (3)(d), the
CSP Director will consider:
(a) The likelihood that provision
of services will result in physical or emotional harm to the child or obligee, taking
into consideration:
(A) Information received
from the obligee; or
(B) Records or corroborative
statements of past physical or emotional harm to the child or obligee, if any.
(b) The likelihood that failure
to provide services will result in physical or emotional harm to the child or obligee;
(c) The degree of cooperation
needed to complete the service;
(d) The availability and
viability of other protections, such as a finding of risk and order for non-disclosure
pursuant to OAR 137-055-1160; and
(e) The extent of involvement
of the child in the services sought.
(6) A finding and determination
by the CSP Director that good cause does not apply, may be appealed as provided
in ORS 183.484.
(7) A finding and determination
of good cause applies to any case which involves the same obligee and child, or
any case in which a child is no longer in the physical custody of the obligee, but
there is a support order for the child in favor of the obligee.
(8) When an application for
services is received from an obligee and TANF, Title IV-E or Medicaid benefits are
not being provided, the child is not in OYA’s custody, and there has been
a previous finding and determination of good cause, the administrator will:
(a) Notify the obligee of
the previous finding and determination of good cause and provide a Client Safety
Packet;
(b) Allow the obligee 30
days to retract the application for services or return appropriate documents from
the Client Safety Packet; and
(c) If no objection to proceeding
or good cause form is received from the obligee, document CSEAS, remove the good
cause designation and, if the case has been closed, reopen the case.
(9) When an application for
services is received from a physical custodian of a child, the physical custodian
is not the obligee who originally claimed good cause and TANF, Title IV-E or Medicaid
benefits are not being provided, the child is not in OYA’s custody and there
is no previous support award, the administrator will open a new case without good
cause coding with the physical custodian as the obligee.
(10)(a) When an application
for services is received from a physical custodian of a child, the physical custodian
is not the obligee who originally claimed good cause and TANF, Title IV-E or Medicaid
benefits are not being provided, the child is not in OYA’s custody, and the
case in which there has been a finding and determination of good cause has a support
award in favor of the obligee who originally claimed good cause, the administrator
will:
(A) Notify the obligee who
originally claimed good cause that an application has been received and provide
a Client Safety Packet; and
(B) Advise the obligee who
originally claimed good cause that the previous good cause finding and determination
will be treated as a claim of risk as provided in OAR 137-055-1160; and
(C) Allow the obligee 30
days to provide a contact address as provided in OAR 137-055-1160.
(b) If an objection or good
cause form is received from the obligee who originally claimed good cause, or if
the location of the obligee who originally claimed good cause is unknown, the administrator
will forward the objection, form or case to the Director of the CSP for a determination
of whether to proceed;
(c) If no objection or good
cause form is received from the obligee who originally claimed good cause, the administrator
will document CSEAS, make a finding of risk and order for non-disclosure pursuant
to OAR 137-055-1160 for that obligee, remove the good cause designation, and, if
the case has been closed, reopen the case.
(11)(a) If a request for
services under ORS chapter 110 is received from another jurisdiction and TANF, Title
IV-E or Medicaid benefits are not being provided by the State of Oregon, the child
is not in OYA’s custody and there has been a finding and determination of
good cause, the administrator will:
(A) Notify the referring
jurisdiction of the finding and determination of good cause and request that the
jurisdiction consult with the obligee to determine whether good cause should still
apply; and
(B) If the location of the
obligee is known, notify the obligee that the referral has been received, provide
a Client Safety Packet and ask the obligee to contact both the referring agency
and the administrator if there is an objection to proceeding; and
(C) Advise the obligee who
originally claimed good cause that the previous good cause finding and determination
will be treated as a claim of risk as provided in OAR 137-055-1160; and
(D) Allow the obligee 30
days to provide a contact address as provided in OAR 137-055-1160.
(b) If an objection or good
cause form is received from the obligee, the administrator will forward the objection,
form or case to the Director of the CSP for a determination of whether to proceed.
(c) If there is no objection
or good cause form received from the obligee, or if the obligees address is unknown,
and the referring jurisdiction advises that the finding and determination of good
cause no longer applies, the administrator will document CSEAS, remove the good
cause designation and, if the case has been closed, reopen the case.
(12) If a referral for services
under ORS 25.080 is received because TANF, Title IV-E or Medicaid benefits are being
provided or the child is in OYAs custody, and there has been a good cause determination,
the administrator will notify the state agency currently providing services of the
previous good cause determination. The administrator will not provide services unless
the program currently providing services determines good cause no longer applies
and requests the administrator remove the coding.
(13) Notwithstanding any
other provision of this rule, when a case has not previously had a good cause finding
and determination and TANF, Title IV-E or Medicaid benefits are being provided or
the child is in OYA’s custody, and DHS, OHA or OYA makes a current good cause
finding and determination on a related case, the administrator will not provide
services on the case or related cases unless and until good cause coding is removed
by DHS, OHA or OYA.
(14) In any case in which
a good cause finding and determination has been made and subsequently removed, past
support under ORS 416.422 and OAR 137-055-3220 may not be sought for any periods
prior to the determination that good cause no longer applies.
(15) In any case in which
a good cause finding and determination has been made, and a child attending school
as defined in ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110 is a party to the case, the child
attending school may file an application for services pursuant to OAR 137-055-1060,
137-055-1070 and 137-055-5110.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345
Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080
Hist.: DOJ 4-2005, f. &
cert. ef. 4-1-05; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 6-2006, f. & cert.
ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 12-2009, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-09; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert.
ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011,
f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11; DOJ 1-2015, f. & cert. ef. 1-5-15
137-055-1100
Continuation of Services
(1) When a family's assistance grant
is closed, services under ORS 25.080 will automatically be continued. The Division
of Child Support (DCS) will notify the support obligee and any child attending school
under 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110, in writing, of the services to be provided and
the consequences of receiving those services, including a listing of available services,
fees, the state’s policy on cost recovery and its distribution policies. DCS
will notify the obligee, and the child attending school that subject to the obligor's
right to request services:
(a) An obligee or applicant
for services may at any time request that support enforcement services no longer
be provided. If the obligee or applicant so requests and case closure procedures
pursuant to OAR 137-055-1120 have been completed, all support enforcement services
on behalf of the obligee or applicant will be discontinued. However, except as provided
in 137-055-1090, if an order has already been established, DCS will continue efforts
to collect arrears assigned to the state. DCS will apply any collections received
against the assigned arrears until this amount has been collected.
(b) An obligee may also request
under OAR 137-055-1090 that support enforcement services no longer be provided for
either the obligee or the state.
(c) A child attending school
who is an applicant for services may, under subsection (1)(a), request that support
enforcement services no longer be provided on his or her behalf. A child attending
school who is not an applicant for services may discontinue all support enforcement
services on his or her behalf by redirecting his or her support to the obligee under
OAR 137-055-5110(5)(b).
(2) In cases where current
child support is not assigned to the state but medical support is assigned to the
state, the obligee may elect to not pursue establishment and enforcement of a child
support obligation other than medical child support. In those cases, if the obligee
so elects, the administrator will provide only those services necessary to establish
and enforce an order for medical child support, including establishment of paternity
where necessary.
(3) If a case has been closed
pursuant to this rule, an obligee or applicant may at any time request the child
support case be reopened by completing a new application for services. If an application
for services is received, arrears may be reestablished pursuant to OAR 137-055-3240
or 137-055-5120, except for permanently assigned arrears which have been satisfied
or which accrued to the state prior to the reapplication for services.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.080 & 180.345
Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080
Hist.: AFS 34-1986(Temp),
f. & ef. 4-14-86; AFS 65-1986, f. & ef. 9-19-86; AFS 28-1988, f. & cert.
ef. 4-5-88; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0054;
AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef.
12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0055; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02;
AFS 15-2002, f. 10-30-02, ef. 11-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03
thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1100; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef.
10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1100; DOJ 4-2005, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-05; DOJ
9-2005, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 6-2006,
f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 12-2009,
f. & cert. ef. 10-1-09; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12; DOJ 7-2014,
f. & cert. ef. 4-1-14
137-055-1120
Case Closure
(1) The administrator
may close a child support case whenever the case meets at least one of the following
criteria for case closure:
(a) There
is no longer a current support order, arrears are under $500 and there are no reasonable
expectations for collection or the arrears are uncollectible under state law. For
the purposes of this subsection, “no longer a current support order”
means the support order is not currently accruing or there never was a support order. This subsection specifically includes
but is not limited to cases in which:
(A) Action to establish
support has not been initiated and the child is at least 18 years old;
(B) The
child has been adopted;
(C) The
child is deceased; or
(D) Parental
rights for the child have been terminated;
(b) The
non-custodial parent or putative father is deceased and no further action, including
a levy against the estate, can be taken;
(c) Paternity
cannot be established because:
(A) A
parentage test, or a court or administrative process, has excluded the putative
father and no other putative father can be identified;
(B) The
identity of the biological father is unknown and cannot be identified after diligent
efforts, including at least one interview by the administrator with the recipient
of services;
(C) Action
to establish paternity has not been initiated and the child is at least 18 years
old; or
(D) In
a case involving incest or forcible rape, or where legal proceedings for adoption
are pending, the administrator has determined that it would not be in the best interests
of the child to establish paternity. For the purposes of this paragraph, a determination
by the Department of Human Services (DHS) or the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) that
paternity establishment is not in the best interests of the child is sufficient
for the administrator to make the same finding.
(d) The
location of the non-custodial parent is unknown, and the state parent locator service
has made regular attempts using multiple sources, all of which have been unsuccessful,
to locate the non-custodial parent:
(A) Over
a three-year period when there is sufficient information to initiate an automated
locate effort; or
(B) Over
a one-year period when there is not sufficient information to initiate an automated
locate effort;
(e) When
paternity is not at issue and the non-custodial parent cannot pay support for the
duration of the child's minority because the parent is both:
(A) Institutionalized
in a psychiatric facility, is incarcerated with no chance for parole, or has a medically
verified total and permanent disability with no evidence of support potential; and
(B) Without
available income or assets which could be levied or attached for support;
(f) The
non-custodial parent:
(A) Is
a citizen of, and lives in, a foreign country;
(B) Does
not work for the Federal government or for a company or state with headquarters
in or offices in the United States;
(C) Has
no reachable income or assets in the United States; and
(D) Oregon
has been unable to establish reciprocity with the country;
(g) The
state parent locator service has provided location-only services based upon a request
under 45 CFR 302.35(c)(3);
(h) The
custodial parent or recipient of services requests closure, and:
(A) There
is no assignment to the state of medical support; and
(B) There
is no assignment of arrears that have accrued on the case;
(i) An
initiating agency requests closure and the agency requesting closure:
(A) Has
closed its case; or
(B) Has
advised Oregon that services are no longer needed.
(j) The
custodial parent or recipient of services is deceased and no trustee or personal
representative has requested services to collect arrears;
(k) DHS,
OYA, the Oregon Health Authority or the administrator pursuant to OAR 137-055-1090,
has made a finding of good cause or other exceptions to cooperation and has determined
that support enforcement may not proceed without risk or harm to the child or caretaker;
(l) In
a non-TANF case (excluding a Medicaid case), the administrator is unable to contact
the custodial parent, or recipient of services, within 60 calendar days, despite
an attempt of at least one letter sent by first class mail to the last known address;
(m) In
a non-TANF case, the administrator documents the circumstances of non-cooperation
by the custodial parent, or recipient of services, and an action by the custodial
parent, or applicant for services, is essential for the next step in providing enforcement
services; or
(n) The
administrator documents failure by the initiating agency to take an action which
is essential for the next step in providing services.
(2)(a)(A)
Except as otherwise provided in this section, if the administrator elects to close
a case pursuant to subsection (1)(a), (1)(e), (1)(f), (1)(j) or (1)(l) through (1)(n)
of this rule, the administrator will notify all parties to the case in writing at
least 60 calendar days prior to closure of the case of the intent to close the case.
(B) If
the administrator elects to close a case pursuant to subsection (1)(b) through (1)(d)
of this rule, the administrator:
(i) Will
notify the obligee and any child attending school in writing at least 60 days prior
to closure of the case of the intent to close the case;
(ii) Is
not required to notify the obligor of the intent to close the case; and
(iii)
If the provisions of paragraph (1)(c)(D) apply, is not required to notify any other
party.
(C) If
the administrator elects to close a case pursuant to subsection (1)(g) or (1)(i)
of this rule, the administrator is not required to notify any party of the intent
to close the case. However, if the case is closed pursuant to paragraph (1)(i),
the administrator will send a courtesy notice to the parties advising the reason
for closure.
(D) If
the administrator elects to close a case pursuant to subsection (1)(h) of this rule,
the administrator will notify all parties to the case in writing at least 60 calendar
days prior to closure of the case of the intent to close the case, except:
(i) When
the case is a Child Welfare or Oregon Youth Authority case in which the child has
left state care, an order under OAR 137-055-3290 is not appropriate, and a notice
and finding has not been initiated, the case will be closed immediately; and
(ii) No
closure notice will be sent to the parents unless a parent had contact with the
Child Support Program, Child Welfare or the Oregon Youth Authority regarding the
child support case.
(E) If
the administrator elects to close a case pursuant to subsection (1)(k) of this rule,
the administrator will:
(i) Notify
the obligee and any child attending school in writing at least 60 days prior to
closure of the case of the intent to close the case; and
(ii) Not
notify the obligor of the intent to close the case.
(b) The
60-day time frame in paragraph (2)(a)(A) is independent of the 60-day calendar time
frame in subsection (1)(l).
(c) The
administrator will document the notice of case closure by entering a narrative line,
or lines, on the child support computer system and will include the date of the
notice.
(d) The
content of the notice in paragraph (2)(a)(A) must include, but is not limited to,
the specific reason for closure, actions a party can take to prevent closure, and
a statement that an individual may reapply for services at any time.
(3) Notwithstanding
paragraph (2)(a)(A) of this rule, a case may be closed immediately if:
(a) All
parties agree to waive the notice of intent to close and the 60-day objection period
when the notice of intent to close has not yet been sent; or
(b) All
parties agree to waive the remainder of the 60-day objection period when the notice
of intent to close has already been sent.
(4) The
administrator will keep a case open if, in response to the notice sent pursuant
to paragraph (2)(a)(A) of this rule:
(a) The
applicant or recipient of services:
(A)
Supplies information which could lead to the establishment of paternity or of a
support order, or enforcement of an order; or
(B) Reestablishes contact
with the administrator, in cases where the administrator proposed to close the case
under subsection (1)(l) of this rule; or
(b) The
party who is not the applicant or recipient of services completes an application
for services.
(5) A
party may request at a later date that the case be reopened if there is a change
in circumstances that could lead to the establishment of paternity or a support
order, or enforcement of an order, by completing a new application for services.
(6) The
administrator will document the justification for case closure by entering a narrative
line or lines on the child support computer system in sufficient detail to communicate
the basis for the case closure.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 25.080 & 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.020 & 25.080

Hist.:
AFS 35-1986(Temp), f. & ef. 4-14-86; AFS 66-1986, f. & ef. 9-19-86; AFS
27-1988, f. & cert. ef. 4-5-88; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89,
Renumbered from 461-035-0055; AFS 15-1993, f. 8-13-93, cert. ef. 8-15-93; AFS 13-1999,
f. 10-29-99, cert. ef. 11-1-99; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered
from 461-195-0050; AFS 2-2001, f. 1-31-01, cert. ef. 2-1-01; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01,
cert. ef. 1-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03,
Renumbered from 461-200-1120; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered
from 461-200-1120; DOJ 4-2005, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-05; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 6-2006,
f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 1-2010, f.
& cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11;
DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-1140
Confidentiality of Records in the Child Support Program
(1)(a) As used in this rule,
“employee” means a person employed by the Department of Justice (DOJ)
or a district attorney office that provides Child Support Program (CSP) services;
(b) “Party” has
the meaning given in OAR 137-055-1020, or a party’s attorney.
(2) For purposes of this rule,
and subject to the limitations set forth in section (3) of this rule, the contents
of a case record include, but are not limited to:
(a) The names of the obligor,
beneficiary and obligee or other payee;
(b) The addresses of the obligor,
beneficiary and obligee or other payee;
(c) The contact address and
address of service of the obligee, beneficiary or obligor;
(d) The name and address of
the obligor's employer;
(e) The social security numbers
of the obligor, the obligee and beneficiaries;
(f) The record of all legal
and collection actions taken on the case;
(g) The record of all accrual
and billings, payments, distribution and disbursement of payments;
(h) The narrative record; and
(i) The contents of any paper
file maintained for purposes of establishment and/or enforcement of a child support
order or for accounting purposes.
(3) Any data listed in section
(2) of this rule or any other data that resides on the Child Support Enforcement
Automated System (CSEAS) that is extracted from computer interfaces with other agencies'
computer systems is not considered to be child support information until or unless
the data is used for child support purposes. Until such data is used for child support
purposes it is not subject to any exceptions to confidentiality and it may not be
released to any other person or agency in any circumstance, except as provided in
ORS 25.260(5) and as may be provided in other agency rule.
(4) Child support case related
records, files, papers and communications are confidential and may not be disclosed
or used for purposes other than those directly connected to the administration of
the CSP except:
(a) Information may be shared
as provided in ORS 25.260(5), OAR 137-055-1320 and 137-055-1360 and as may be provided
in other agency rule;
(b) Information may be shared
for purposes of any investigation, prosecution or criminal or civil proceeding conducted
in connection with the administration of:
(A) Title IV-D of the Social
Security Act, child support programs in Oregon and other states;
(B) Title IV-A of the Social
Security Act, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; or
(C) Title XIX of the Social
Security Act, Medicaid programs;
(c) Information may be shared
as required by state or federal statute or rule;
(d)(A) Elected federal and state
legislators and the Governor are considered to be within the chain of oversight
of the CSP. Information about a child support case may be shared with these elected
officials and their staff in response to issues brought by constituents who are
parties to the case;
(B) County commissioners exercise
a constituent representative function in county government for county administered
programs. District attorney offices that operate child support programs may respond
to constituent issues brought by county commissioners of the same county if the
constituent is a party in a case administered by that office. District attorneys
are DOJ sub-recipients. CSP Administration may also respond to constituent issues
brought by county commissioners on district attorney administered child support
cases where the constituent is a party;
(C) Information disclosed under
paragraphs (A) and (B) of this subsection is subject to the restrictions in subsections
(6)(a) and (b) of this rule;
(e) When a party requires the
use of an interpreter in communicating with the administrator, information given
to such an interpreter is not a violation of any provision of this rule; and
(f) A person who is the executor
of the estate or personal representative of a deceased party is entitled to receive
any information that the deceased party would have been entitled to receive.
(5)(a) The CSP may release information
to a private industry council as provided in 42 USC 654a(f)(5).
(b) The information released
under subsection (a) of this section may be provided to a private industry council
only for the purpose of identifying and contacting noncustodial parents regarding
participation of the noncustodial parents in welfare-to-work grants under 42 USC
603(a)(5).
(c) For the purposes of this
section, “private industry council” means, with respect to a service
delivery area, the private industry council or local workforce investment board
established for the service delivery area pursuant to Title I of the Workforce Investment
Act (29 USC 2801, et seq.). “Private industry council” includes workforce
centers and one-stop career centers.
(6)(a) Information from a case
record may be disclosed to a party in that case outside a legal proceeding, except
for the following personal information about the other party:
(A) The residence or mailing
address of the other party if that other party is not the state;
(B) The social security number
of the other party;
(C) The name, address and telephone
number of the other party's employers;
(D) The telephone number of
the other party;
(E) Financial institution account
information of the other party;
(F) The driver's license number
of the other party; and
(G) Any other information which
may identify the location of the minor child or other party, such as day care provider’s
name and address.
(b) Except for personal information
described in subsection (a) of this section, information from a case record may
be provided to a party via the CSP web page if appropriate personal identifiers,
such as social security number, case number or date of birth are required to be
provided in order to access such information.
(7)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (6)(a) and (b) of this rule, a party’s
personal information may be released to a state agency under the provisions of 45
CFR 303.21.
(8) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection
(6)(a), an employee may disclose personal information described in paragraphs (6)(a)(A)
through (6)(a)(G) to a party, if disclosure of the information is otherwise required
by rule or statute.
(9) Any information from the
case record, including any information derived from another agency, that was used
for any calculations or determinations relevant to the legal action may be disclosed
to a party. Where there is a finding of risk and order for nondisclosure of information
pursuant to OAR 137-055-1160, all nondisclosable information must be redacted before
documents are released.
(10) Requestors may be required
to pay for the actual costs of staff time and materials to produce copies of case
records before documents are released.
(11)(a) Information from case
records may be disclosed to persons not a party to the child support case who are
making contact with the CSP on behalf of a party, if the following conditions are
met:
(A) The person who is not a
party to the case provides the social security number of the party for whom they
are making the inquiry or the child support case number;
(B) The person who is not a
party to the case making the contact on behalf of the party is the current spouse
or domestic partner of the party and residing with the party or a parent or legal
guardian of the party; and
(C) The CSP determines that
the person is making case inquiries on behalf of the party and disclosure of such
information would normally be made to the party in reply to such an inquiry.
(b) Disclosure of information
is limited to the specific inquiries made on behalf of the party and is subject
to the restrictions in subsections (6)(a) and (b) of this rule.
(12) Except as provided in subsections
(11)(a) and (b) of this rule, information from a case record may not be disclosed
to a person who is not a party to the case unless:
(a) The party has granted written
consent to release the information to the person; or
(b) The person has power of
attorney for the party, the duration and scope of which authorizes release of information
from a case record at the time that the person requests such information. The power
of attorney remains in effect until a written request to withdraw the power of attorney
is submitted by the party or by the person, unless otherwise noted on the power
of attorney.
(13) A child support case account
balance is derived from the child support judgment, which is public information,
and from the record of payments, which is not. Therefore, the case balance is not
public information, is confidential and may not be released to persons not a party
except as otherwise provided in this rule.
(14) Information obtained from
the Internal Revenue Service and/or the Oregon Department of Revenue is subject
to confidentiality rules imposed by those agencies even if those rules are more
restrictive than the standards set in this rule, and may not be released for purposes
other than those specified by those agencies.
(15) Criminal record information
obtained from the Law Enforcement Data System or any other law enforcement source
may be used for child support purposes only and may not be disclosed to parties
or any other person or agency outside of the CSP. Information about the prosecution
of child support related crimes initiated by the administrator may be released to
parties in the child support case.
(16) Employees with access to
computer records or records of any other nature available to them as employees may
not access such records that pertain to their own child support case or the child
support case of any relative or other person with whom the employee has a personal
friendship or business association. No employee may perform casework on their own
child support case or the case of any relative or other person with whom the employee
has a personal friendship or business association.
(17) When an employee receives
information that gives reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse
as defined in ORS 419B.005(1)(a) the employee must make a report to the Department
of Human Services as the agency that provides child welfare services and, if appropriate,
to a law enforcement agency if abuse is discovered while providing program services.
(18) Employees who are subject
to the Disciplinary Rules of the Oregon Code of Professional Responsibility must
comply with those rules regarding mandatory reporting of child abuse. To the extent
that those rules mandate a stricter standard than required by this rule, the Disciplinary
Rules also apply.
(19) If an employee discloses
or uses the contents of any child support records, files, papers or communications
in violation of this rule, the employee is subject to progressive discipline, up
to and including dismissal from employment.
(20) To ensure knowledge of
the requirements of this rule, employees with access to computer records, or records
of any other nature available to them as employees, are required annually to:
(a) Review this rule and the
CSP Director’s automated tutorial on confidentiality;
(b) Complete with 100 percent
success the CSP Director’s automated examination on confidentiality; and
(c) Sign a certificate acknowledging
confidentiality requirements. The certificate must be in the form prescribed by
the CSP Director.
(21)(a) For DOJ employees, each
signed certificate must be forwarded to DOJ Human Resources, with a copy kept in
the employee’s local office drop file;
(b) For district attorney employees,
each signed certificate must be kept in accordance with county personnel practices.
(22) Notwithstanding any other
provision of this rule, an employee may release a party’s name and address
to a local law enforcement agency when necessary to prevent a criminal act that
is likely to result in death or substantial bodily harm.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.260, 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.260,
127.005, 411.320

Hist.: AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97,
cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 19-1998, f. 10-5-98, cert. ef. 10-7-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00,
cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0291; SSP 4-2003, f. 2-25-03, cert. ef.
3-1-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered
from 461-200-1160; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1160;
DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04;
DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert.
ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert.
ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 11-2011(Temp), f. 12-1-11,
cert. ef. 12-5-11 thru 5-29-12; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-1160
Confidentiality —
Finding of Risk and Order for Nondisclosure of Information
(1) For the purposes of this
rule in addition to the definitions found in OAR 137-055-1020, the following definitions
apply:
(a) “Claim of risk for
nondisclosure of information” means a claim by a party to a paternity or support
case made to the administrator, an administrative law judge or the court that there
is reason to not contain or disclose the information specified in ORS 25.020(8)(a)
or OAR 137-055-1140(6)(a) because the health, safety or liberty of a party or child
would unreasonably be put at risk by disclosure of such information;
(b) “Finding of risk and
order for nondisclosure of information” means a finding and order by the administrator,
an administrative law judge or the court, which may be made ex parte, that there
is reason to not contain or disclose the information specified in ORS 25.020(8)(a)
or OAR 137-055-1140(6)(a) because the health, safety or liberty of a party or child
would unreasonably be put at risk by disclosure of such information.
(2) A claim of risk for nondisclosure
of information may be made to the administrator by a party at any time that a child
support case is open. Forms for making a claim of risk for nondisclosure of information
will be available from all child support offices and be made available to other
community resources. At the initiation of any legal process that would result in
a judgment or administrative order
establishing paternity or including a provision concerning support, the administrator
will provide parties an opportunity to make a claim of risk for nondisclosure of
information.
(3)(a) When a party makes a written and
signed claim of risk for nondisclosure of information pursuant to section (2) of
this rule, the administrator will make a finding of risk and order for nondisclosure
of information unless the party does not provide a contact address pursuant to section
(5) of this rule;
(b) When a party is accepted
into the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), the administrator will make a finding
of risk and order for nondisclosure of information. The party’s contact address
will be the ACP substitute address designated by the Attorney General pursuant to
OAR 137-079-0150.
(4) An administrative law judge
will make a finding of risk and order for nondisclosure of information when a party
makes a claim of risk for nondisclosure of information in a hearing unless the party
does not provide a contact address pursuant to section (5) of this rule.
(5) A party who makes a claim
of risk for nondisclosure of information under subsection (3)(a) or section (4)
must provide a contact address that is releasable to the other party(ies) in legal
proceedings. The claim of risk for nondisclosure of information form provided to
the party by the administrator must have a place in which to list a contact address.
If a requesting party does not provide a contact address, a finding of risk and
order for nondisclosure of information will not be made.
(6) When an order for nondisclosure
of information has been made, the administrator must ensure that all pleadings,
returns of service, orders or any other documents that would be sent to the parties
or would be available as public information in a court file does not contain or
must have deleted any of the identifying information specified in ORS 25.020(8)(a)
or OAR 137-055-1140(6)(a). Any document sent to the court that contains any of the
information specified in ORS 25.020(8)(a) or OAR 137-055-1140(6)(a) must be in a
sealed envelope with a cover sheet informing the court of the confidential nature
of the contents or in the manner provided by UTCR 2.130.
(7) A finding of risk and order
for nondisclosure of information entered pursuant to this rule will be documented
on the child support case file and will remain in force until such time as the ACP
participant or party who requested a claim of risk retracts the claim or requests
dismissal in writing.
(8) A party who requested a
claim of risk may retract the claim on a form provided by the administrator. When
a signed retraction form is received by the administrator, the administrator will
enter, or will ask the court to enter, a finding and order terminating the order
for nondisclosure of information.
(9) Any information previously
protected under an order for nondisclosure of information will be subject to disclosure
when the order for nondisclosure of information is terminated. The retraction form
provided by the administrator will advise the requestor that previously protected
information may be released to the other party(ies).
(10) In cases where the administrator
is not involved in the preparation of the support order or judgment establishing
paternity, or when child support services under ORS 25.080 are not being provided,
any claim of risk for nondisclosure of information pursuant to ORS 25.020 must be
made to the court.
(11) Notwithstanding section
(5) of this rule, where the court has made a finding of risk and order for nondisclosure
of information and the case is receiving or subsequently receives child support
services pursuant to ORS 25.080, the administrator will implement the court’s
finding pursuant to this rule. In such a case, the administrator will use, in order
of preference, the party’s contact address as contained in the court file,
or the party’s contact address previously provided to the Child Support Program.
If no contact address is available through either of these sources, the administrator
will send a written request to the party, asking that the party provide a contact
address. The written request from the administrator must advise the party that if
no contact address is provided within 30 days, the administrator will use, in order
of preference, the party’s mailing or residence address as the contact address,
and the new contact address may be released to the other party(ies).
[ED. NOTE: Forms referenced
are available from the agency.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020 &
180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020,
192.820–192.858

Hist.: AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97,
cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 19-1998, f. 10-5-98, cert. ef. 10-7-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00,
cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0291; SSP 4-2003, f. 2-25-03, cert. ef.
3-1-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered
from 461-200-1160; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1160;
DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04;
DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert.
ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 5-2007, f. & cert. ef.
7-2-07; DOJ 8-2009, f. 7-1-09, cert. ef. 8-1-09; DOJ 12-2010(Temp), f. 7-1-10, cert.
ef. 9-1-10 thru 2-25-11; DOJ 16-2010, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-10; DOJ 8-2011(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 11-2-11 thru 4-28-12; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-1200
Use of Social Security Number by the Child Support Program
(1) Under the provisions of 42 USC 405(c)(2)(C), individuals who are affected by the Child Support Program (CSP) will be required to provide their social security numbers to the administrator.
(2) Social security numbers provided under this rule will be used by the administrator as necessary for the following purposes:
(a) The identification of individuals who are affected by the administration of the CSP;
(b) The establishment, modification and enforcement of child and medical support obligations;
(c) The accounting, distribution and disbursement of support payments;
(d) The administration of the general public assistance laws of the State of Oregon.
(3) The CSP will provide written notice to individuals who are required to provide a social security number under section (1) of this rule that will include the following:
(a) That providing the social security number is mandatory;
(b) The authority for such requirement; and
(c) The purpose(s) for which the social security number will be used.
(4) When the social security number for an individual is obtained from a source other than that individual, there is no requirement that the CSP provide additional notice to the individual regarding disclosure or use of such social security number.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020, 25.081, 25.785

Hist.: AFS 4-1996, f. 2-21-96, cert. ef. 7-1-96; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0015; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1200; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1200; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07
137-055-1320
Access to FPLS for Purposes of Parentage Establishment; Child Support Establishment, Modification or Enforcement; or Determining Who Has or May Have Parental Rights
(1) For the purposes of this rule and OAR 137-055-1360, the following definitions apply:
(a) "FPLS" means the Federal Parent Locator Service operated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
(b) "Original requestor" means a party to a paternity or child support case who is seeking FPLS information, directly, through an attorney, or through court request.
(c) "Custodial Parent" includes a caretaker or caretaker relative as defined in OAR 461-120-0610.
(d) "Legal Guardian" means a person appointed as a guardian under ORS Chapter 125 or similar provision.
(e) "Reasonable evidence of possible domestic violence" means:
(A) A record on the Oregon Judicial Information Network or the Law Enforcement Data System that an order of protection has or had been issued against the original requestor in favor of the person being sought; or
(B) A record that the person being sought has or had been granted good cause pursuant to ORS 412.024 not to establish paternity or to establish or enforce a support order against the original requestor; or
(C) A record that the person being sought has or had been granted an order for nondisclosure of information or an ACP order for nondisclosure of information pursuant to OAR 137-055-1160 in a case where the original requestor is or was the other party in a legal action.
(f) "Reasonable evidence of possible child abuse" means that there is a record with the Department of Human Services child welfare program that the original requestor has been investigated for alleged abuse of any child.
(2) For the purposes of this rule, an authorized person is:
(a) A custodial parent, legal guardian, attorney, or agent of a child (other than a child receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)), seeking to establish parentage or to establish, modify or enforce a support order.
(b) A court or agent of the court which has the authority to issue an order of paternity or support and maintenance of a child or to serve as the initiating court to seek such an order from another state; or
(c) A state agency responsible for administering an approved child welfare plan or an approved foster care and adoption assistance plan.
(3) An authorized person as defined in section (2) of this rule, may request information to facilitate the discovery or location of any individual:
(a) Who is under an obligation to pay child support;
(b) Against whom a child support obligation is sought;
(c) To whom a child support obligation is owed; or
(d) Who has or may have parental rights with respect to a child.
(4) If available from FPLS, the information that may be provided about an individual described in subsections (3)(a)-(d) of this rule includes:
(a) The address and verification of the social security number of the individual sought;
(b) The name, address and federal employer identification number of the employer of the individual sought; and
(c) Information about income from employment and benefits from employment, including health care coverage.
(5) A request pursuant to this rule must be made in writing directly to the Division of Child Support (DCS) and must contain:
(a) The purposes for which the information is requested;
(b) The full name, social security number (if known) and date of birth or approximate date of birth of the individual sought;
(c) The full name and date of birth and social security number of the person making the request;
(d) Whether the individual is or has been a member of the armed forces or if the individual is receiving federal compensation or benefits, if known;
(e) If the request is from the court, the signature of the judge or agent of the court; and
(f) If the request is from an individual not receiving TANF, the individual must attest:
(A) That the request is made to obtain information or facilitate discovery for the purpose of establishing parentage or establishing, modifying or enforcing child support obligations;
(B) That the information will be used solely for those reasons and will be kept confidential; and
(C) If the individual is a parent, that he or she is the parent with physical custody of the child.
(6) The request may be made on a form adopted by the Child Support Program (CSP) and available from any CSP office.
(7) When DCS receives a request from an authorized person pursuant to subsections (2)(a) or (2)(b) of this rule, it will determine if there is any record of possible domestic violence by the original requestor against the individual sought or any record of possible child abuse by the original requestor.
(8) If reasonable evidence of domestic violence or child abuse is found pursuant to section (7) or FPLS does not return information due to a family violence indicator, an authorized person may ask the court to determine, pursuant to 42 USC 653(b)(2)(B), whether disclosure of the information could be harmful to the parent or child sought.
(a) If the court concludes that disclosure of the information would not be harmful to the parent or child, DCS will submit the request along with the court’s determination to FPLS.
(b) If the court concludes that disclosure of the information would be harmful to the parent or child, the request will be denied.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.265 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.265, 180.380

Hist.: AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0279; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1320; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1320; DOJ 7-2004, f. 3-30-04, cert. ef. 4-1-04; DOJ 16-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-3-05; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-09; DOJ 16-2010, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-10
137-055-1360
Access to FPLS for Parental Kidnapping, Child Custody or Visitation Purposes
(1) For the purposes of this rule, an authorized person is:
(a) Any agent or attorney of any state who has the duty or authority under the law of that state to enforce a child custody or visitation order;
(b) Any court having jurisdiction to make or enforce a child custody or visitation determination, or any agent of such court;
(c) Any agent or attorney of the United States or of a state who has the duty or authority to investigate, enforce or bring a prosecution with respect to the unlawful taking or restraint of a child. The unlawful taking or restraint of a child includes;
(A) Custodial interference as provided in ORS 163.245 and 163.257; or
(B) Any other State or Federal law with respect to the unlawful taking or restraint of a child.
(2) An authorized person as defined in section (1) of this rule, may request information to facilitate the discovery or location of a parent, legal guardian, or child. Information is limited to the most recent address and place of employment of the person sought.
(3) A request pursuant to this rule must be made in writing directly to Division of Child Support (DCS) and must contain:
(a) The purpose for which the information is requested;
(b) The full name, social security number (if known) and date of birth or approximate date of birth of the individual sought;
(c) The full name and date of birth and social security number of the person making the request;
(d) Whether the individual is or has been a member of the armed forces or is receiving any federal compensation or benefits, if known; and
(e) If the request is from the court, the signature of the judge or agent of the court.
(4) The request may be made on a form adopted by DCS and available from any DCS or District Attorney child support office.
(5) If FPLS does not return information due to a family violence indicator, as defined in OAR 137-055-1320, the authorized person may ask the court to determine, pursuant to 42 USC 653(b)(2)(B), whether disclosure of the information could be harmful to the parent, legal guardian or child sought.
(a) If the court concludes that disclosure of the information would not be harmful to the parent, legal guardian or child, DCS will re-submit the request along with the court’s determination to FPLS.
(b) If the court concludes that disclosure of the information would be harmful to the parent, legal guardian or child, the request will be denied.
(6) The court may disclose FPLS information, to the extent necessary, to an authorized person to process and adjudicate an action for the establishment or enforcement of a child custody or visitation determination.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.265, 180.380

Hist.: AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0281; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1360; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1360; DOJ 7-2004, f. 3-30-04, cert. ef. 4-1-04; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04; DOJ 16-2010, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-10
137-055-1500
Incentive Payments
(1) For purposes of this rule, the following definitions apply:
(a) Centralized services may include, but are not limited to: accounting functions, bankruptcy case management, central registry for interstate cases, computer charges, constituent desk, Child Support Program directors office administrative costs, garnishments resulting from a Financial Institution Data Match, locate services, mainframe, Oregon District Attorney Association liaison position, postage, receipt, distribution and disbursement of support payments, and unemployment compensation and workers compensation withholdings;
(b) County or Counties means the county district attorneys under cooperative agreements to provide support enforcement services under ORS 25.080 and any county which enters into an agreement with the Division of Child Support (DCS) under ORS 25.080(5) on or after May 1, 2001, for DCS to assume the functions of the district attorney;
(c) Counties Collection Base is that portion of the States Collection Base attributable only to amounts for cases assigned to the counties;
(d) DCS Collection Base is that portion of the States Collection Base attributable only to amounts for cases assigned to DCS;
(e) States Collection Base has the meaning given in 45 CFR 305.31(f);
(f) Available incentive payment pool is the projected amount from the biennial budget of the gross amount of incentives to be received from the federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for the current fiscal year.
(2) Beginning with incentive payments received for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2002 (October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002), incentive payments received by the Oregon Child Support Program from the federal DHHS pursuant to 45 CFR 305 et seq. will be allocated to each county and DCS based on their performance in four program areas:
(a) Support order establishment;
(b) Current support collections;
(c) Collection on arrears; and
(d) Cost-effectiveness.
(3) The incentive calculations for the current federal fiscal year will be based on the performance data from the final Office of Child Support Enforcement 157 report for the previous FFY and the states available incentive payment pool for the current FFY.
(4) The formulas to compute each countys and DCSs performance for the four program areas identified in section (2) of this rule are as stated in 45 CFR 305.2.
(5)(a) The level of performance of each county and DCS as calculated using the formulas referenced in section (4) of this rule determines the applicable percentage for each of the four performance measures as set out in tables in 45 CFR 305.33;
(b) The cost effectiveness performance category will include an addition to the total expenditures of the counties for the cost of centralized services and a subtraction of the same amount from the DCS total expenditures for the cost of centralized services provided to the counties.
(6) For the support order establishment and current support collections performance measures, the applicable percentages as determined per subsections (5)(a) and (b) of this rule are multiplied by 100% of the counties collection base for county computations or 100% of DCS collection base for DCS computations.
(7) For cases receiving an arrears payment and the cost effectiveness performance measures, the applicable percentages as determined per subsections (5)(a) and (b) of this rule are multiplied by 75% of the counties collection base for county computations or 75% of DCS collection base for DCS computations.
(8) The incentive calculations for the four performance areas calculated in sections (6) and (7) of this rule are added together to obtain the following amounts:
(a) The incentive base amount for each individual county; and
(b) The incentive base amount for DCS.
(9) The sum of the incentive base amounts for all the counties as calculated in subsection (8)(a) is the total incentive base amount for all the counties.
(10) The state aggregate incentive base amount is the sum of the total incentive base amount for all the counties as calculated in section (9), and the incentive base amount for DCS as calculated in subsection (8)(b).
(11)(a) The counties collective incentive payment share is determined by dividing the total incentive base amount for all the counties as calculated in section (9), by the state aggregate incentive base amount as calculated in section (10), then multiplying the resulting percentage by the available incentive payment pool for the current FFY.
(b) The counties collective incentive payment share will be reduced by a proportionate share of costs for centralized services, as determined upon review and agreement pursuant to section (15) of this rule, to be retained by DCS to offset the costs of such services provided to the counties by DCS.
(c) Each individual countys incentive payment is determined by dividing its countys incentive base amount by the total incentive base amount for all the counties, then multiplying the resulting percentage by the counties collective incentive payment share as determined in subsection (11)(b).
(12) DCS incentive payment is determined by dividing the DCS incentive base amount by the state aggregate incentive base amount as calculated in section (10), then multiplying the resulting percentage by the available incentive payment pool for the current FFY.
(13) Each countys and DCS incentive payment, as calculated respectively in subsection (11)(c) and section (12) of this rule, will be distributed in equal quarterly payments for the current FFY based on the counties and DCS performance for the prior FFY.
(14) When the federal DHHS reconciles and determines the actual annual incentive payment to the state following the end of each FFY, any resulting positive or negative incentive adjustment amount will be apportioned according to the calculations in sections (4) through (12) of this rule using the performance figures for the corresponding prior FFY:
(a) If the adjustment results in a positive incentive to the counties, such payment will be distributed and, as appropriate, disbursed no later than 60 days following the states receipt of the incentive adjustment from the federal DHHS; or
(b) If the adjustment results in a negative incentive and incentive overpayment to the counties, such overpayment will be recovered from future incentive payments.
(15) The allocation of incentive payments as set out in this rule and the cost of centralized services will be reviewed every two years, commencing in January 2004.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345, 45 CFR 305.2, 45 CFR 305.33

Stats. Implemented: ORS 180.345

Hist.: AFS 80-1985(Temp), f. & ef. 12-31-85; AFS 14-1986, f. & ef. 2-11-86; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0052; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0255; SSP 4-2003, f. 2-25-03, cert. ef. 3-1-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1500; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1500; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07
137-055-1600
Child Support Program Participant Grievance
(1) For the purposes of this rule the following definitions apply;
(a) "Program participant" means any obligor, obligee or beneficiary in an Oregon child support case or any person denied services after submitting an application.
(b) "Grievance" means a formal complaint filed against the administrator.
(c) "Grievant" means a program participant who has filed a grievance as set out in this rule.
(2) Program participants are entitled to fair, professional, courteous and accurate service. A grievance procedure has been established to enable program participants a means to formally express when they perceive that they have not received fair, professional, courteous or accurate service. This grievance procedure will be handled by the Division of Child Support (DCS) under the oversight of the Oregon Child Support Program (CSP) Director.
(3) Grievances may be filed by program participants or attorneys or other employees of law offices representing program participants.
(4) It is recognized that child support enforcement activities may create negative reactions among some program participants. It is further recognized that a high level of service may not result in desired support payments. Therefore, a grievance filed against the administrator must be investigated to determine if the grievance has merit. Grievances which will be considered to be without merit include:
(a) Grievances that protest actions that are prescribed or permitted by state administrative rule, state law, child support program approved written policy or procedure, federal law or federal regulation;
(b) Grievances that protest that support payments have not been made if the administrator has taken appropriate steps in accordance with state and federal rules to obtain payments;
(c) Grievances filed regarding actions taken by, or failure to take action by, another agency or a child support agency of another state;
(d) Grievances that protest that actions have not been taken but the case record reflects otherwise; or
(e) Grievances that do not constitute a complaint but merely convey information to, or request an action by the administrator.
(5) The decision to find the grievance to be without merit or send it to the appropriate office for resolution will be made by the CSP.
(6) Grievances may be made on a form developed by the CSP.
(7) Nothing in this rule precludes any program participant or any other person or entity from expressing complaints to the administrator by any other method.
(8) Grievance forms will be available to program participants through any CSP office. The address and telephone number where a grievance form can be obtained and information about the grievance process will be:
(a) Conspicuously posted in all CSP offices;
(b) Included in the standard application for support enforcement services;
(c) Included in initial letters sent to parties by the CSP;
(d) Included in the CSP's general information pamphlet;
(e) Included in or with an annual notice mailed to the parties.
(9) Grievants must file the completed grievance forms with the CSP constituent desk. Completed grievance forms or photocopies of these forms filed with the administrator will be immediately forwarded to the CSP's constituent desk. Upon receipt of the grievance, the CSP constituent desk will:
(a) Record receipt of the grievance;
(b) Investigate the grievance to determine if the grievance is without merit per section
(4) Of this rule;
(c) If the grievance is without merit per section (4) of this rule, the grievance will be returned to the grievant with an explanation about why it has been returned;
(d) If the grievance is not returned to the grievant it will be forwarded to the grievance coordinator(s) in the appropriate branch office for resolution.
(10) Upon receipt of the grievance, the office against whom the grievance has been filed will investigate the grievance. That office will either take corrective action and notify the grievant or contact the grievant to explain why corrective action is not appropriate. The CSP constituent desk will set time limits for the administrator to address the grievance, not to exceed 90 days from the date the grievance is received at DCS. The date received by the CSP constituent desk will be considered to be the date the grievance is screened and accepted.
(11) Upon completion of grievance processing the office against whom the grievance has been filed will send the grievance form to the CSP constituent desk with a report of the grievance investigation and the disposition.
(12) Grievances that allege serious violations of personnel rules or standards of personal conduct, such as, but not limited to, allegations of racial or sexual discrimination or sexual harassment, in which allegations are substantiated, will be removed from this grievance process and be part of the personnel process of the office against whom the grievance has been filed.
(13) A record of grievances and dispositions will be maintained by the CSP for a period of three years.
(14) The administrator against whom a grievance has been filed will not discriminate against the grievant because a grievance has been filed.
(15) Performance reviews will include examination of the administrator's compliance with these grievance procedures and an examination of grievances filed against the administrator and resolution to such grievances for the previous calendar year.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.243 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080 & 25.243

Hist.: AFS 1-1995, f. 1-3-95, cert. ef. 5-2-95; AFS 32-1995, f. & cert. ef. 11-8-95; AFS 20-1997, f. & cert. ef. 11-7-97; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0010; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1600; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1600; DOJ 7-2004, f. 3-30-04, cert. ef. 4-1-04; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06
137-055-1700
Division of Child Support as Garnishee - Service of Writ
Pursuant to ORS 18.655(1)(f); the Department of Justice, Division of Child Support, designates the Special Collections Unit, 4600 25th Ave. NE, Suite 180, Salem, Oregon 97301, as the authorized office to receive service or delivery of a writ of garnishment for property of a debtor with regard to child support or spousal support payments. Service or delivery of a writ of garnishment at an office or address other than the one designated in this rule will not be considered valid.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 18.655

Hist.: DOJ 5-2005, f. & cert. ef. 7-15-05
137-055-1800
Limited English Proficiency
For the purposes of providing
child support services required by ORS 25.080 to Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
persons, the following provisions apply:
(1)(a) “Eligible population”
means persons eligible to receive child support services pursuant to ORS 25.080.
(b) “Vital information”
means information that:
(A) Affects a person’s
substantive rights;
(B) Notifies a person about
rights or services;
(C) Tells a person what process
to use to respond; or
(D) Tells a person what the
findings are or what to pay.
(2) At least once each biennium,
the CSP will identify languages for which vital information will be translated without
the need for a request from a party. To determine the languages, the CSP will use
the following criteria:
(a) The estimated size of the
eligible population speaking the specific language;
(b) The number of language line
calls made over the last two years for the specific language; and
(c) The cost of the translation.
(3) If the number in subsection
(2)(a) is 1,000 or 5% of the eligible population in Oregon, whichever is less, vital
information for that language will be translated without the need for a request
from a party.
(4) If the number of language
line calls in subsection (2)(b) is 500 or more, vital information for that language
will be translated without the need for a request from a party.
(5) Notwithstanding any other
provision of this rule, if the cost of the translation for a single document is
$500 or more, the CSP may choose to not translate the document.
(6) When an LEP person needs
a translation and the language needed does not meet the standards in sections (3)
or (4), the CSP may choose to either translate the vital information for that language
or refer the LEP person to other translation services, including language lines
or other providers.
(7) When an LEP person needs
to verbally communicate with the CSP, the program may use certified bilingual or
multilingual staff to communicate or may use a language line.
Stat. Auth: ORS 180.345 &
28 CFR 42.405

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07,
cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-2020
Case Assignment
(1) Except as provided in OAR 137-055-1090, the Division of Child Support (DCS) must provide services pursuant to ORS 25.080 for all children for whom support rights are or have been assigned to the state because the child(ren) are receiving or have received cash assistance, services from the Oregon Youth Authority, foster care or medical assistance when one or both parents are absent from the benefit group.
(2) Notwithstanding section (1) of this rule, if a District Attorney (DA) is providing services pursuant to ORS 25.080(1)(b) on a case where the family, or a family member, assigns medical child support rights, the DA will continue to provide services on that case.
(3)(a) Once a case is assigned to a DCS office, barring error, it will remain assigned to a DCS office, even if no support remains assigned to the state; and
(b) The provisions of subsection (3)(a) do not apply if the DCS office to which the case is assigned is a DCS office providing services in lieu of a DA office and the case would have been assigned to a DA office under this rule.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of section (3), a DCS office and DA office may agree to transfer a case or may co-work a case or conclude pending legal proceedings. Before a case may be transferred from one office to another, approval must be obtained from each office manager or management equivalent and narrated on the computer record for the case.
(5) The matrix set out in Exhibit 1 is offered as an aid in applying sections (1) through (4) of this rule. [Exhibit not included. See ED. NOTE.]
(6) Sections (7) to (11) apply only to cases assigned to DA offices or to counties in which DCS offices provide DA services.
(7)(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the DA of the applicant’s county will be assigned the case and must provide services;
(b) If the obligor resides in the same county where the operative support order is entered, the DA of the order county will be assigned the case and must provide the services.
(8)(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, when continued services as required in OAR 137-055-1100 must be provided, the DA of the county in which the person receiving services resides will be assigned the case and must provide services;
(b) If the obligor resides in the same county where the operative support order is entered, the DA of the order county must provide the services.
(9) When the person applying for or receiving services resides in another state, the DA where the obligor resides must provide services, even if there is a support order in another county.
(10) When both the person applying for services and the obligor reside in another state:
(a) If there is an Oregon order, the DA of the order county must provide the services;
(b) If there is no Oregon order, the DA of the county where the child resides or where the obligor’s income or property is located must provide the services;
(c) If there is no Oregon order and the obligor has no income or property located in the state, but it is anticipated that the obligee will be moving to this state, the DA of the county where the obligee is anticipated to reside must provide the services;
(d) If there is no Oregon order, the obligor has no income or property located in the state, the obligee is not anticipated to be moving to this state, but continuation of services is being provided pursuant to OAR 137-055-1100, the DA where the case was previously assigned must provide the services.
(11) The matrix set out in Exhibit 2 is offered as an aid in applying sections (7) through (10) of this rule. [Exhibit not included. See ED. NOTE.]
[ED. NOTE: Exhibits referenced are not included in rule text. Click here for PDF copy of exhibit(s).]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.080 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: AFS 80-1989, f. 12-21-89, cert. ef. 2-1-90; AFS 28-1992, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-92; AFS 2-1994, f. & cert. ef. 2-1-94; AFS 4-1999, f. 3-31-99, cert. ef. 4-1-99; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0035; AFS 7-2002, f. & cert. ef. 4-25-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2020; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2020; DOJ 9-2009, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-09
137-055-2045
Spousal Support
(1) For the purposes of this rule, the
following applies:
(a) A “spousal support
only” case is a case in which there is a continuing spousal support obligation
or arrears, no current child support obligation or child support arrears; and
(b) “Public assistance”
means SNAP benefits, general assistance, medical assistance, old-age assistance,
TANF, aid to the blind, aid to the permanently and totally disabled, and any other
assistance granted by the Department of Human Services or the Oregon Health Authority,
in accordance with state and federal laws.
(2) When an Oregon judgment
or support order for spousal support only is received, the judgment does not include
child support, the order seeks collection, accounting, distribution, disbursement
and enforcement services, and the obligee is receiving public assistance, the administrator
will:
(a) Create a limited services
case, as defined in OAR 137-055-1070, on the Child Support Enforcement Automated
System (CSEAS) if one does not already exist;
(b) If applicable, add arrears
under ORS 25.015 or establish arrears under 25.167 or 416.429; and
(c) Initiate income withholding
under ORS 25.372 to 25.427.
(3) When an Oregon judgment
for spousal support is received, does not include child support, seeks collection,
accounting, distribution, disbursement and enforcement services, and it is unknown
whether the obligee is receiving public assistance, the administrator will:
(a) Create an information
only case on the CSEAS; and
(b) Send the obligee an application
for spousal support services or authorization to access assistance records, explaining
that spousal support services may not be provided until assistance records can be
checked and verified.
(4) New spousal support only
cases in which the obligee is receiving assistance will be assigned to the appropriate
Division of Child Support office for provision of services as required by ORS 25.381.
(5) Notwithstanding any other
provisions of this rule, each county district attorney may elect to provide services
in spousal support only cases, subject to the following:
(a) Written criteria must
be established to determine under what circumstances services will be provided and
to identify what services will be provided;
(b) The written criteria
established in subsection (5)(a) must be posted in a public place; and
(c) Claims for time spent
providing services on spousal support only cases and any other expenses may not
be submitted with claims for federal financial participation.
(6) When services are being
provided under section (5) of this rule, accounting, distribution and disbursement
services will be provided by the Department of Justice.
(7) The administrator may
close a spousal support only case and notify the parties if:
(a) The obligee is not on
any form of public assistance, there is no known employer for the obligor and no
income withholding in place, and a payment has not been received within the last
six months;
(b) The obligee requests
closure;
(c) The obligee or obligor
dies;
(d) There is no longer a
current spousal support order, arrears are under $500 and there are no reasonable
expectations for collection or the arrears are uncollectible under state law;
(e) The location of the obligor
is unknown, and no payment has been received in the last six months;
(f) The obligor cannot pay
support for the duration of the order because the obligor is institutionalized in
a psychiatric facility, incarcerated with no chance for parole, or has a medically
verified total and permanent disability with no evidence of support potential, and
is without income for withholding;
(g) The obligor is a citizen
of, and lives in, a foreign country; does not work for the Federal government or
for a company or state with headquarters in or offices in the United States; and
has no reachable income for withholding in the United States;
(h) The administrator has
lost contact with the obligee; or
(i) The obligee fails to
cooperate in any manner necessary or helpful in providing these services.
(8) The administrator will
document the justification for case closure by a notation on the case record.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345
Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.381
Hist.: DOJ 1-2006, f &
cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 9-2014, f. &
cert. ef. 5-22-14
137-055-2060
Cases with Contradictory Purposes
(1) Cases with contradictory purposes are defined as two or more child support cases in which the same person is, or has been, both an obligee and obligor in those cases and the cases are, or have been, assigned to the same Child Support Program (CSP) office.
(2) The administrator represents the interests of the state. There is no conflict of interest when the same CSP office is assigned cases where the same person is, or has been, both an obligor and an obligee. The administrator is responsible for impartial application of the law. Nothing in this rule precludes a CSP office from having cases assigned to them in which the same person is, or has been, both an obligor and obligee.
(3) It is recognized that a person receiving child support services or a person eligible to receive child support services may be reluctant to pursue those services because the CSP office through which they do or would receive services is, or has been, the same CSP office in another case where the person is, or has been, the opposite party.
(4) A person who has cases in which that person is, or has been, or upon application would be, both an obligor and obligee with cases assigned to the same CSP office may ask the CSP office manager to transfer one of the cases to a different CSP office. The CSP office manager will consider the request and either grant the transfer or explain to the requestor why the transfer is not granted.
(5) If a case is transferred, the assignment to a different CSP office will take into consideration the needs of the requestor and the other party(ies).
(6) If the CSP office manager denies the request for transfer, the requestor may ask the CSP Director to review the decision of the administrator and to facilitate a resolution.
Stat. Auth.: Sec. 2, Ch. 73 OL 2003

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: AFS 6-1995, f. 2-17-95, cert. ef. 3-1-95; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0042; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2060; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2060; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06
137-055-2080
Office Responsible for Providing Services when Conflict of Interest
(1) The Child Support Program (CSP) will, to the maximum extent possible, assign support cases to avoid the potential for or the appearance of a conflict of interest.
(2) If an actual or potential conflict of interest is identified by either an employee or a party or potential party to a case, the manager of the affected office shall make a determination whether the case should:
(a) Remain assigned to the current employee;
(b) Be reassigned to another employee within the same office; or
(c) Be reassigned to a different office.
(3) If the determination made under section (2) of this rule is to reassign the case to a different office, the manager of the affected office shall contact the manager of another CSP office, which may be either a district attorney or Division of Child Support office, to reach an agreement and arrange for the case to be reassigned.
(4) If the branch offices cannot reach an agreement for the case to be reassigned or if the party or potential party disagrees with the determination made by the manager of the affected branch office, the CSP Director shall decide which office has the responsibility for providing services for that particular case.
Stat. Auth.: Sec. 2, Ch. 73 OL 2003

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist. SSP 15-2003, f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 6-30-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2080; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2080
137-055-2100
Process Service
(1) The administrator may serve
process in the manner provided in ORCP 7, ORS 25.085, and any other provision of
law.
(2) “Mail service with
delivery confirmation” includes but is not limited to registered mail, certified
mail, and priority mail with delivery confirmation.
(3) When the administrator will
use priority mail service as the process service method, the party who will receive
the documents must verify the address to which the documents are to be mailed. Verification
by the party must occur no more than 60 calendar days prior to mailing.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345
Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.085, 25.245,
25.670, 416.415, 416.429

Hist.: DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11,
cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-2120
Rules for Contested Case Hearings in the Child Support Program
Contested case hearings for the Child Support Program are conducted in accordance with the Attorney General's Model Rules at OAR 137-003-0501 through 137-003-0700 and with 137-055-2120 through 137-055-2180. The hearings are not open to the public and are closed to non-participants, except the administrative law judge may permit non-participants to attend subject to the parties' consent.
Stat. Auth.: Sec. 2, ch. 73 OL 2003

Stats. Implemented: Sec. 2, ch. 73 OL 2003

Hist.: AFS 5-1995, f. & ef. 2-6-95; AFS 21-2000, f. & cert. ef. 8-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0800; AFS 4-2001, f. 3-28-01, cert. ef. 4-1-01; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2120; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2120
137-055-2140
Delegations to Administrative Law Judge
Administrative law judges of the Office
of Administrative Hearings are authorized to do the following:
(1) Issue final orders without
first issuing proposed orders.
(2) Issue final orders by
default in cases described in OAR 137-003-0670 or 137-003-0672, except in a case
authorized by ORS 416.415 or as authorized in section (3). An administrative law
judge is authorized to issue a final order by default in a case authorized by ORS
416.425(5) but not in any other case authorized by ORS 416.425, unless section (4)
of this rule applies.
(3) Issue final orders by
default when the nonrequesting party(ies) fails to appear for a hearing conducted
under ORS 25.020(13), or issue a dismissal with prejudice when the requesting party
fails to appear for a hearing conducted under ORS 25.020(13).
(4) Issue an order dismissing
a temporary modification, as defined in OAR 137-055-3430, if the party seeking a
temporary modification fails to appear for a scheduled hearing, without further
action by the administrator.
(5) Correct mistakes in hearing
orders issued by OAH pursuant to ORS 180.345, including scrivener errors and substantive
errors, at any time within 30 days of the issuance of the order.
(a) Orders in which scrivener
errors have been corrected must be marked “Corrected Order”.
(b) Orders in which substantive
errors have been amended must be marked “Amended Order”.
(c) Corrected and amended
orders must contain notice to the parties of appeal rights as provided in ORS 416.427
and must be mailed to the parties by regular mail at the parties’ contact
addresses.
(d) Notwithstanding section
(c) of this rule, the Administrator may receive such orders electronically.
(6) Determine whether a reschedule
request should be granted pursuant to OAR 137-003-0670(2), based on whether the
requester's failure to appear for a scheduled hearing was beyond the reasonable
control of the party.
(7) Issue final orders granting
or denying late hearing requests pursuant to OAR 137-003-0528.
(8) Provide to each party
the information required to be given under ORS 183.413(2) or OAR 137-003-0510(1).
(9) Order and control discovery.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020 & 180.345 Stats. Implemented: ORS,
25.020, 180.345, 416.415 & 416.425 Hist.: AFS 21-2000, f. &
cert. ef. 8-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0801;
AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert.
ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2140; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03,
cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2140; DOJ 7-2004, f. 3-30-04, cert. ef.
4-1-04; DOJ 16-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-3-05; DOJ 5-2005, f. & cert. ef.
7-15-05; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 4-2009(Temp), f. 5-6-09, cert.
ef. 5-7-09 thru 11-1-09; DOJ 13-2009, f. & cert. ef. 10-30-09; DOJ 5-2013, f.
& cert. ef. 7-8-13
137-055-2160
Requests for Hearing
(1) A request for hearing must be in
writing and signed by the party, the party's authorized representative, or the administrator.
The signature may be handwritten, typed or electronic.
(2) A request for hearing
may be made on a form provided by the Child Support Program (CSP).
(3) A request for hearing
must be received by the CSP office which issued the action within the time provided
by law or notice in order to be considered timely.
(4) A new or amended request
for hearing is not required from the requesting party to obtain a hearing if the
administrator amends the order being appealed, unless the administrator notifies
the requesting party that an additional request is required.
(5) Notwithstanding OAR 137-003-0530,
137-003-0672(3), and section 4 of this rule, if OAH dismisses a hearing because
the requesting party failed to appear, the CSP may issue an amended notice instead
of issuing a final order by default. The amended order will be referred to OAH only
if a party submits a new request for a hearing.
(6) When a party requests
a hearing after the time specified by the administrator, the administrator will
handle the request pursuant to OAR 137-003-0528, except that the administrator may
accept the late request only if:
(a) The request is received
before or within 60 days after entry of a final order by default;
(b) There is no appeal of
the final order pending with the circuit court, and
(c) The cause for failure
to timely request the hearing was beyond the reasonable control of the party, unless
other applicable statutes or Oregon Child Support Program administrative rules provide
a different time frame or standard.
(7) Notwithstanding the provisions
of section (6) of this rule, a request for hearing is not considered a late hearing
request when:
(a) Parentage testing has
been conducted pursuant to ORS 109.252 and 416.430 which includes the man as the
biological father of the child, and a request for hearing has been received from
a party 30 days from the date of service of the Notice of Intent to Enter Order/Judgment
establishing paternity and the notice of parentage testing results; or
(b) A party has denied paternity
and failed to appear for parentage tests, an order establishing paternity has been
entered, and a request for hearing has been received from a party within 30 days
from the date the order establishing paternity was mailed to the parties.
(8) For the purpose of computing
any period of time under this rule, except as otherwise provided, any response period
begins to run on the following date:
(a) If service is by certified
mail, on the date the party signs a receipt for the mailing;
(b) If service is by regular
mail:
(A) Three days after the
mailing date if mailed to an address in Oregon;
(B) Seven days after the
mailing date if mailed to an address outside Oregon; or
(c) The date evidence shows
the party received the mailing.
(9) Except as provided in
subsection (10)(b) the dates in section (8) are computed based on calendar days,
not business days.
(10)(a) In computing any
period of time under this rule, do not count the date of mailing as the first day;
and
(b) If the last day falls
on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, do not count that day as a calendar day.
(11) The provisions of sections
(8) through (10) do not apply to service on a party by regular mail to complete
substitute service. For substitute service, the service date is the date the document
is mailed.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345
Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.415
Hist.: AFS 5-1995, f. &
ef. 2-6-95; AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 21-2000, f. & cert.
ef. 8-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0830;
AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert.
ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2160; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03,
cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2160; DOJ 2-2006(Temp), f. & cert.
ef. 1-3-06 thru 6-30-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 6-2006, f.
& cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 10-2008, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-08; DOJ 2-2010(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10 thru 7-1-10; DOJ 11-2010, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-10; DOJ
13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12; DOJ 5-2013, f. & cert. ef. 7-8-13; DOJ
13-2014(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 10-1-14 thru 3-30-15; DOJ 6-2015, f. & cert.
ef. 3-30-15
137-055-2165
Requests to Reschedule Hearing
(1) When a party fails to appear for a hearing, the party may request that the hearing be rescheduled. A request to reschedule a hearing must be submitted in writing to the Child Support Program (CSP).
(2) When the CSP receives a written request to reschedule a hearing, the CSP will review its record to determine:
(a) Whether a final order has been entered in the circuit court; or
(b) If more than 60 days have passed since the notice of hearing cancellation was issued.
(3) After this review, the CSP will:
(a) Deny the request to reschedule if:
(A) A final order has been entered in the circuit court; or
(B) More than 60 days have passed since the notice of hearing cancellation was issued; or
(b) Forward the request to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).
(4) When OAH receives the written request to reschedule, OAH will notify the parties that the request has been received and allow the parties 10 days to submit written testimony on whether or why the reschedule request should be accepted.
(5) Parties who submit written testimony to OAH must provide copies of the testimony to the other parties.
(6) After the time for response has expired, and after reviewing the request and any additional testimony received, OAH will make a determination whether the reschedule request should be allowed or denied.
(a) If the request is allowed, OAH will issue a final order allowing the request and scheduling the case for hearing; or
(b) If the request is denied, OAH will issue a final order denying the request.
(7) When the CSP receives an order from OAH which denies a reschedule request, the CSP may issue a final order by default on the underlying support issue.
(8) OAH will include notice of the process set out in this rule in its order dismissing a hearing when a party fails to appear.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 180.345

Hist.: DOJ 16-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-3-05; DOJ 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 4-2009(Temp), f. 5-6-09, cert. ef. 5-7-09 thru 11-1-09; DOJ 13-2009, f. & cert. ef. 10-30-09
137-055-2170
Use of Lay Representatives at Administrative
Hearings
(1) As used in this rule “lay
representative” means a representative of the Child Support Program (CSP)
who is not employed as an attorney.
(2) Subject to the approval
of the Attorney General, lay representatives of the Child Support Program are authorized
to appear on behalf of the CSP in the following types of administrative hearings
conducted by the Office of Administrative Hearings:
(a) Administrative child
support adjudications pursuant to ORS 25.287, 416.415, 416.416, 416.417, 416.425,
and 416.427;
(b) Hearings regarding state
income tax intercepts pursuant to ORS 25.610 and 293.250;
(c) Hearings regarding the
suspension of occupational and driver licenses, certificates, permits and registrations
pursuant to ORS 25.765;
(d) Hearings regarding credit
for direct payments pursuant to ORS 25.020;
(e) Hearings regarding overpayments
pursuant to ORS 25.125.
(f) Hearings regarding the
state’s satisfaction of a support award pursuant to OAR 137-055-5220;
(g) Hearings regarding suspension
of support pursuant to ORS 25.245;
(h) Hearings regarding the
establishment of arrears pursuant to ORS 416.429;
(i) Hearings regarding physical
custody determinations for purposes of joining a party pursuant to ORS 416.407 and
OAR 137-055-3500;
(j) Hearings regarding credit
for lump sum Social Security/Veterans payments pursuant to ORS 25.275 and OAR 137-055-5520.
(k) Hearings regarding the
amount of assigned arrears pursuant to OAR 137-055-6040.
(3) The lay representative
may not make legal argument on behalf of the CSP.
(a) “Legal argument”
includes arguments on:
(A) The jurisdiction of the
CSP to hear the contested case;
(B) The constitutionality
of a statute or rule or the application of a constitutional requirement to the CSP;
and
(C) The application of court
precedent to the facts of the particular contested case proceeding.
(b) As used in this rule,
“legal argument” does not include presentation of motions, evidence,
examination and cross-examination of witnesses or presentation of factual arguments
or arguments on:
(A) The application of the
statutes or rules to the facts in the contested case;
(B) Comparison of prior actions
of the CSP in handling similar situations;
(C) The literal meaning of
the statutes or rules directly applicable to the issues in the contested case;
(D) The admissibility of
evidence;
(E) The correctness of procedures
being followed in the contested case.
(4) Lay representatives must
read and be familiar with the Code of Conduct for Non-Attorney Representatives at
Administrative Hearings, which is maintained by the Oregon Department of Justice
and available on its website at: http://www.doj.state.or.us.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345 & 416.455
Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080
& 183.452
Hist.: JD 6-1987, f. &
ef. 10-16-87; JD 4-1995, f. 2-27-95, cert. ef. 3-1-95; Renumbered from 137-055-0300,
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03; DOJ 1-2014(Temp), f. & cert. ef.
1-13-14 thru 7-12-14; DOJ 9-2014, f. & cert. ef. 5-22-14
137-055-2180
Reconsideration and Rehearing
A petition for reconsideration or rehearing authorized by OAR 137-003-0675 must be filed with the administrative law judge who signed the final order. An administrative law judge will rule on the petition and take appropriate action if the petition is allowed.
Stat. Auth.: Sec. 2, ch. 73 OL 2003

Stats. Implemented: Sec. 2, ch. 73 OL 2003

Hist.: AFS 5-1995, f. & ef. 2-6-95; AFS 2-2000, f. 1-28-00, cert. ef. 2-1-00; AFS 21-2000, f. & cert. ef. 8-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0930; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2180; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2180
137-055-2320
Requirement for Services — Obligor Bankruptcy Situations
(1) The administrator will have access to an attorney admitted to federal court practice to handle situations of obligor bankruptcy, or contract with suitable counsel so admitted.
(2) For the purposes of this rule, "suitable counsel" means any of the following:
(a) That portion of the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) designated to handle bankruptcy situations; or
(b) Any Oregon county district attorney's office with staff admitted to federal court practice to handle situations of obligor bankruptcy; or
(c) Private counsel so admitted, provided that such private counsel complies with the administrative rules and procedures of the Child Support Program that apply to situations of obligor bankruptcy, and with applicable DOJ policies regarding representation.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: AFS 14-1994, f. 7-25-94, cert. ef. 8-1-94; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0282; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2320; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2320; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07
137-055-2340
Obligor Bankruptcy Situations in General
(1) Upon being notified of obligors bankruptcy, the administrator will:
(a) Enter the appropriate codes for bankruptcy on the case record, and
(b) Narrate the case record with the bankruptcy information to alert other program participants of the bankruptcy situation.
(2) Upon receiving a discharge or dismissal notice and verifying that the bankruptcy was closed, the administrator will:
(a) Remove the codes for bankruptcy on the case record, and
(b) Narrate the bankruptcy information on the case record.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: AFS 2-1995, f. 1-10-95, cert. ef. 1-11-95; AFS 13-1999, f. 10-29-99, cert. ef. 11-1-99; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0284; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2340; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2340; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07
137-055-2360
Obligor Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Situations
This rule details the Child Support Program’s responsibilities in situations of obligor bankruptcy and applies to Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 bankruptcies filed on or after October 17, 2005. For bankruptcies filed prior to October 17, 2005, the Bankruptcy Code in effect at the time the bankruptcy was filed applies, as does the prior version of OAR 137-055-2360 in effect at the time the bankruptcy was filed.
(1) Upon receiving notification of bankruptcy, the administrator will:
(a) Stop any legal action that is pending, except:
(A) Initiating or proceeding with the establishment of paternity;
(B) Initiating or proceeding with the establishment or modification of a child support order; or
(C) Changing the support award based on a change in the child’s physical custody as authorized by ORS Ch 416 (2009 HB 2277).
(b) Not file any document in circuit court in a county in which the debtor owns real property which creates a lien by its terms or by operation of law without first obtaining relief from the automatic stay.
(c) Leave any existing income, unemployment, or workers’ compensation withholding orders in place, if the order is not in violation of the stay. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, withholding may continue against post-petition earnings for both current support and for both pre-petition and post-petition arrears. In a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, collections may continue for current support and post-petition arrears, unless otherwise provided in the debtor’s plan. If no withholding order is in place, the administrator will obtain a withholding order, as appropriate, upon receipt of obligor’s employment information.
(d) Determine if there are any other enforcement actions in process which may need to be stopped due to the stay or which may involve property of the bankruptcy estate, such as a writ of garnishment or contempt of court action; and
(e) Terminate any action that involves property of the bankruptcy estate and is not excepted from the automatic stay and send any such property of the estate that has not been distributed to the bankruptcy trustee.
(2) The administrator will not file a Proof of Claim if no assets are involved in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
(3) If there are assets available for distribution to creditors in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the administrator will file a Proof of Claim, if applicable, even if the time period for filing a Proof of Claim has passed.
(4) In a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the administrator will file a Proof of Claim for current support and arrears owed at the time the petition was filed, if any.
(5) The administrator will respond to any objections filed to the Proof of Claim.
(6) If the automatic stay prevents a support enforcement action that is otherwise appropriate under applicable bankruptcy and nonbankruptcy law, unless there is evidence that the bankruptcy will close or the Plan will be confirmed before the relief from stay can be granted, the administrator will petition the bankruptcy court for a Relief from Stay.
(7) If in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the debtor proposes a bankruptcy Plan that does not provide for the payment of current or past child support, the administrator may request the bankruptcy court reject the Plan.
(8) The administrator will continue to certify a case for federal and state tax refund intercept unless otherwise provided by the bankruptcy Plan. However, if it is determined that an intercepted tax refund is the property of the estate and the bankruptcy trustee requests the money, the administrator will forward the money to the bankruptcy trustee and notify the parties.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: AFS 2-1995, f. 1-10-95, cert. ef. 1-11-95; AFS 15-1995, f. 7-7-95, cert. ef. 7-10-95; AFS 13-1999, f. 10-29-99, cert. ef. 11-1-99; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0286; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2360; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2360; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10
137-055-2380
Obligor Chapter 12 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Situations
This rule details the Child Support Program’s responsibilities in situations of obligor bankruptcy and applies to Chapter 12 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies filed on or after October17, 2005. For bankruptcies filed prior to October 17, 2005, the Bankruptcy Code in effect at the time the bankruptcy was filed applies, as does the prior version of OAR 137-055-2380 in effect at the time the bankruptcy was filed.
(1) Upon receiving notification of bankruptcy, the administrator will:
(a) Stop any legal action that is pending, except:
(A) Initiating or proceeding with the establishment of paternity;
(B) Initiating or proceeding with the establishment or modification of a child support order; or
(C) Changing the support award based on a change in the child’s physical custody as authorized by ORS ch 416 (2009 HB 2277).
(b) Not file any document in circuit court in a county in which the debtor owns real property that creates a lien by its terms or by operation of law without first obtaining relief from the automatic stay.
(c) Leave any existing income, unemployment, or workers’ compensation withholding orders for current support only in place. If there is an ongoing support obligation and income withholding is in place that includes arrears, the administrator will send an amended withholding order for current support only. When the bankruptcy plan is confirmed, the administrator may issue a withholding order for current support and arrears to the extent authorized in the bankruptcy plan.
(d) Determine if there are any other enforcement actions in process that may need to be stopped due to the stay or which may involve property of the bankruptcy estate, such as a writ of garnishment or contempt of court action; and
(e) Terminate any action that involves property of the bankruptcy estate and is not excepted from the automatic stay and send any such property of the estate that has not been distributed to the bankruptcy trustee.
(2) The administrator will file a Proof of Claim for current support and arrears owed at the time the petition was filed, in any, if the time period for filing a Proof of Claim has not passed. However, if it will not be feasible for the debtor to pay the entire support obligation during the duration of the bankruptcy plan, the administrator may negotiate with the debtor a stipulation in the bankruptcy plan to collect a lesser amount of support through the plan. Any such stipulation will specify that the remaining debt will be paid outside the plan and the support is nondischargeable.
(3) The administrator will respond to any objections filed to the Proof of Claim.
(4) The administrator will review the Summary of Plan or proposed Plan and the Debtor's Schedule J, if available, for the repayment of arrears and for payment of ongoing support; and
(a) If the time period for filing objections has not passed, the administrator may file an objection to a Plan if the Plan is not feasible.
(b) If the Plan does not provide for pre-petition arrears, the administrator may file an objection to have the pre-petition arrears included in the plan if the time period for filing an objection has not passed.
(5) After confirmation, if the property of the estate has revested in the debtor, the administrator will resume collection on current support and post-petition arrears. If the Plan provides for the pre-petition arrears, collection of the pre-petition arrears will be governed by the terms of the Plan.
(6) If the debtor fails to make timely support payments after filing the bankruptcy petition, the administrator may petition the bankruptcy court for relief from the automatic stay or move for dismissal of the bankruptcy.
(7) The administrator will continue to certify a case for federal and state tax refund intercept unless otherwise provided by the bankruptcy plan. However, if it is determined that an intercepted tax refund is the property of the estate and the bankruptcy trustee requests the money, the administrator will forward the money to the bankruptcy trustee and notify the parties.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: AFS 2-1995, f. 1-10-95, cert. ef. 1-11-95; AFS 13-1999, f. 10-29-99, cert. ef. 11-1-99; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0288; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2380; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2380; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10
137-055-3020
Paternity Establishment Procedures
(1) When a case involves a child who is not yet born, the administrator will take no action to establish paternity or to provide locate services until such time as the child is born.
(2)(a) When initiating legal proceedings to establish paternity for a child conceived in Oregon, the administrator will use ORS Chapter 109 or ORS Chapter 416.
(b) Except for proceedings filed under ORS chapter 109, past support will be established as provided by ORS Chapter 416 and OAR 137-055-3220.
(3) When the administrator initiates legal proceedings to establish paternity, if the child was born in this state, the administrator will file the Notification of Filing of Petition in Filiation Proceedings with the Center for Health Statistics.
(4) The administrator will seek to establish paternity against the man named by the mother to be the most likely alleged father except as provided in sections (5) and (6).
(5) If the husband and mother are still married and the husband is on the child’s birth record:
(a) If only one party disputes paternity, the administrator will give notice to the parties that:
(A) The parties have the right to challenge paternity under ORS 109.070 by filing a petition in the circuit court;
(B) The administrator will delay any initiated support action for 30 days;
(C) If a party provides proof within 30 days that he or she filed a petition, the administrator will suspend the support action pending the outcome of the court's decision.
(D) If no proof is received within 30 days that a party has filed a petition, the administrator will proceed with the legal action to establish support.
(b) If both the husband and mother dispute the child=s paternity, the administrator will order the husband, mother and child to appear for parentage testing.
(6) If the husband and mother are still married, no father is listed on the birth record, and the mother names another man as the father of the child, the administrator will provide notice and an opportunity to object to the husband.
(a) If a written objection is received from the husband within 30 days of the date of the notice, an action to establish paternity will be initiated against the husband.
(b) If no written objection is received from the husband within 30 days of the date of the notice, an action to establish paternity will be initiated against the most likely alleged father named in the mother’s paternity affidavit.
(7) In all cases in which the mother states that more than one man could be the biological father of the child and parentage tests have excluded a man as the father of the child, the following provisions apply:
(a) If there is only one remaining untested possible biological father, that man is constructively included as the father by virtue of the other man's exclusion as the father.
(b) If there are more than one remaining untested possible biological fathers, the administrator will initiate action against each man, either simultaneously or one at a time, to attempt to obtain parentage tests which either exclude or include the man.
(8) In all cases in which the mother states that more than one man could be the biological father of the child and parentage tests have included a man as the father of the child at a cumulative paternity index of at least 99, any other untested possible father(s) will be considered to be constructively excluded by virtue of the first man's inclusion.
(9)(a) The Child Support Program may initially pay the costs of parentage tests, and may seek reimbursement of or waive the costs.
(b) If an alleged father fails to appear as ordered for parentage tests, but the child has appeared, reimbursement will be sought from the alleged father for the costs incurred.
(c) The maximum amount allowed to be entered as a parentage test judgment against a party is the amount the Child Support Program agrees to pay a parentage testing laboratory used to perform the tests.
(d) A judgment for parentage test costs reimbursement will not be sought:
(A) Against a person who has been excluded as a possible father of a subject child;
(B) If the mother stated that more than one man could be the father of the child, and has been unable to name a most likely alleged father, and the man tested has not objected to the entry of an order establishing paternity;
(C) If, after receipt of parentage test results which indicate the alleged father is the biological father of the child, but prior to the administrator or court signing a final order establishing paternity, the party who sought the parentage test consents to the entry of an order establishing paternity or signs a voluntary acknowledgment;
(D) If the alleged father has applied for services under ORS 25.080 and requested paternity establishment in accordance with OAR 137-055-3080; or
(E) Except as provided in section (11) of this rule, against any individual who is a recipient of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits or Medicaid assistance.
(10) A judgment for parentage test costs reimbursement will not be sought against any person found to be the legal father for costs attributable to testing other alleged fathers in any case in which the mother stated that more than one man could be the father of the child.
(11) When a party requests additional parentage testing as provided in ORS 109.252(2), the following provisions apply:
(a) The laboratory selected for additional testing must be a laboratory approved by accreditation bodies designated by the Oregon Health Authority; and
(b) The party making the request must advance the costs of the additional tests to the accredited laboratory.
(12) Upon receipt of a party's request for additional parentage testing and proof that payment has been advanced to an accredited laboratory, the administrator or the court will order additional testing.
(13) If a non-requesting party fails to appear for the additional parentage testing, the administrator will take appropriate steps to compel obedience to the order for additional testing.
(14) If a requesting party fails to appear for the additional parentage testing, the administrator may enter an order in accordance with OAR 137-055-3100.
(15) The administrator may dismiss or terminate a proceeding to establish paternity after sending written notice to the parties that the case is being considered for dismissal or termination and that any comments or objections must be made within 10 days.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 109.070 & 416.430

Hist.: AFS 7-1998, f. 3-30-98, cert. ef. 4-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1020; SSP 15-2003, f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 6-30-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3020; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3020; DOJ 2-2006(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-3-06 thru 6-30-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 1-2008(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-2-08 thru 3-31-08; DOJ 6-2008, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-08; DOJ 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-09; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 16-2010, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-10
137-055-3040
Temporary Order for Support
(1) When a party to an order to establish paternity objects to the entry of such order and provided the parentage test results in a cumulative paternity index of 99 percent or greater, the administrator shall request the court to issue a temporary support order.
(2) A party other than the state may request an order establishing temporary support.
(3) If, in response to the initial parentage test results, a party requests additional parentage tests, such request shall be considered an objection to the entry of the order establishing paternity and the administrator shall order the additional parentage tests.
(4) When the administrator requests the court to issue a temporary support order, the administrator shall certify the case to court for:
(a) The establishment of prospective support;
(b) A parentage determination;
(c) A final order for parentage, support and past support.
(5) The temporary order entered by the court shall have the same force and effect as any other order entered by the administrator, court or other tribunal.
(6) If the court makes a determination of non-parentage, the obligor may request that the court order the return of any monies collected as a result of the temporary order.
Stat. Auth.: Sec. 2, ch. 73 OL 2003

Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.430

Hist.: AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1005; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3040; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3040
137-055-3060
Establishing Paternity in Multiple Alleged Father Cases
(1) In any action to establish paternity initiated under ORS 416.400 to 416.470, when the mother of the child for whom paternity is being established states that the father of the child could be more than one man, the administrator may initiate action against those men who are named by the mother as possible fathers as provided in this rule.
(2)(a) If mother is able to name one of the possible fathers as the most likely father based upon the date of conception, the physical characteristics the child shares with that man, or other factors, the administrator may initiate action against that man only.
(b) If the administrator is unable to locate the man identified by mother as the most likely father, the administrator will not proceed with establishment of paternity until the man is located.
(3) If mother cannot identify one of the men who may be the father as the most likely father, the administrator may gather additional information, including information from the mother and from any physician or other licensed health care provider of obstetrical care to mother, which may assist the mother in identifying the most likely father.
(4) If mother remains unable to identify one of the possible fathers as the most likely father, the administrator may initiate legal action against any one or more possible fathers, as named by the mother, upon whom the administrator can apparently effect personal service based on the information it has available.
(5) The administrator will provide notice to any possible father described in this rule and served in an action to establish paternity that the mother of the child for whom the administrator seeks to establish paternity has named another man or men as a possible father unless that other man (or men) has been excluded by parentage tests.
(6) The administrator will enter no order establishing paternity with respect to a man who has not been named by mother as the most likely father unless the provisions of either subsection (a) or (b) of this section apply.
(a) The man has been subjected to parentage tests which have not excluded him as a possible father of the child in question; or,
(b) All other men named by mother as possible fathers have been excluded as possible fathers by parentage tests.
(7) Notwithstanding any other provision of this rule, its requirements do not apply when one of the possible fathers is entitled to reasonable notice under ORS 109.096.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.400 – ORS 416.470

Hist.: AFS 7-1998, f. 3-30-98, cert. ef. 4-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1040; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3060; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3060; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04; DOJ 2-2006(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-3-06 thru 6-30-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 1-2008(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-2-08 thru 3-31-08; DOJ 6-2008, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-08
137-055-3080
Responsibility of Administrator to Establish Paternity at Request of Self-Alleged Father
(1) For purposes of this rule, self-alleged father means a man who both:
(a) Claims that he is, or possibly is, the biological father of a child born out of wedlock as defined in ORS 109.124; and
(b) Wishes to have paternity legally established for the child, establishing himself as the legal father.
(2) The administrator is responsible for pursuing establishment of paternity at the request of a self-alleged father, subject to all of the following:
(a) The self-alleged father must either:
(A) Be eligible for services under ORS 25.080, because he is receiving TANF cash assistance or Medicaid assistance for the child born out of wedlock; or
(B) Complete an application for services as provided under ORS 25.080.
(b) Unless otherwise prohibited under this rule, the administrator will:
(A) Take all appropriate steps to determine if the self-alleged father is the biological father; and
(B) Pursue appropriate action to legally establish paternity unless evidence indicates that he is not the biological father.
(c) The administrator will not pursue action to establish paternity under this section in any case where:
(A) Adoption of the child is final;
(B) Paternity has already been established for the child, or;
(C) Paternity is presumed under ORS 109.070, the husband and wife are cohabiting and they do not consent to the challenge.
(d) The administrator will not pursue action to establish paternity under this rule if the Child Support Program (CSP) Director has determined that such action would not be in the best interests of the child, in accordance with section (5) of this rule.
(3) For purposes of this rule, legal proceedings for adoption of the child are pending if either of the following provisions is true:
(a) The mother or legal guardian of the child has released or surrendered the child to the adoptive parent(s) for adoption, and such release or surrender has become irrevocable because the child has been placed in the physical custody of the adoptive parent(s) and the other conditions of ORS 109.312 have been met;
(b) The mother or legal guardian of the child has released or surrendered the child to the Department of Human Services (DHS) or an incorporated child-caring agency for adoption, and such release or surrender has become irrevocable because the child has been placed by the agency in the physical custody of a person or persons for the purpose of adoption, in accordance with ORS 418.270(4).
(4)(a) When a self-alleged father requests the administrator establish his legal paternity for a child, the administrator will send written notification by first class mail to the last-known address of the mother and (if a separate party) legal guardian of the child. Further, if the administrator knows or is informed that legal proceedings for adoption of the child are pending, the administrator will also send written notification to the licensed private agency handling the adoption, or if none exists, to DHS;
(b) If the mother and (if a separate party) legal guardian cannot readily be found, the enforcing agency administrator will make a diligent attempt to locate the party. A diligent attempt includes but is not limited to submitting the case to the Division of Child Support for state parent locator services. If unable to locate the mother and legal guardian within 30 days, the administrator will proceed to process the case as described in section (8) of this rule without the notice described in this section;
(c) The written notification must state the following:
(A) That the self-alleged father has asked the administrator for establishment of paternity services;
(B) That if legal proceedings for adoption of the child are pending, or if the child's mother (or legal guardian if a separate party) alleges that the child was conceived due to rape or incest, the CSP Director will determine whether establishing paternity is in the best interests of the child, on the basis of the responses the CSP Director receives to the written notification;
(C) That a copy of any response to the notification the CSP Director receives will be sent to the self-alleged father, and that the self-alleged father will then have an opportunity to respond to the allegations. The administrator will ensure that the address of the mother and/or guardian is deleted from any written material it sends to the self-alleged father;
(D) The factors the CSP Director will consider, set out in section (5) of this rule, in determining whether establishing paternity would be in the best interest of the child;
(E) That the mother, legal guardian, and adoption agency or DHS child welfare program if appropriate under this rule, has 15 days to respond in writing to the written notification;
(F) That the self-alleged father has 15 days to respond to an allegation or response received by the CSP Director;
(G) That if any of the parties listed in paragraph (E) or (F) of this subsection does not respond to the written notice or allegation within 15 days, the CSP Director will make a determination based on the responses received;
(H) That if the CSP Director determines that establishing paternity would not be in the best interests of the child, this decision:
(i) Means only that the administrator will not pursue action to establish paternity; and
(ii) Does not preclude the self-alleged father from pursuing establishment of paternity on his own, without the assistance of the administrator.
(5) In any case where legal proceedings for adoption of the child are pending, or where the child was conceived due to alleged rape or incest, the CSP Director is responsible for determining whether action to establish paternity would be in the best interests of the child.
(a) If the CSP Director determines that action to establish paternity would not be in the best interests of the child, the administrator will take no further action to establish paternity for the self- alleged father;
(b) A signed written statement from the mother or legal guardian of the child, stating that the child was conceived as a result of rape or incest, is sufficient reason for the CSP Director to determine that establishing paternity would not be in the best interests of the child, unless such statement is disputed or denied by the self-alleged father, subject to the following:
(A) If the self-alleged father does not respond to the copy of the allegation or response the CSP Director receives as provided in subsections (4)(a) through (4)(c) of this rule, the CSP Director will make a determination by default based on the mother's or legal guardian's statement;
(B) If the self-alleged father does respond and acknowledges that the child was conceived by rape or incest, the CSP Director must determine that establishing paternity would not be in the best interests of the child;
(C) If the self-alleged father does respond and denies that the child was conceived by rape or incest, the CSP Director will decide whether to pursue action to establish paternity. The CSP Director will consider factors including, but not limited to:
(i) Whether a police report was filed;
(ii) Whether the self-alleged father was convicted or acquitted of rape or incest charges;
(iii) Whether other persons have information that the child was conceived due to rape or incest;
(iv) Any other factors known or provided to the CSP Director that would support or refute the veracity of the rape or incest allegation;
(v) Whether establishing paternity would be in the best interest of the child, considering the factors listed in subsection (c) of this section;
(vi) The CSP Director's decision in this matter is limited to only whether the administrator will pursue action to establish paternity, and is in no way to be construed or intended as a determination or accusation of whether the self-alleged father is in fact guilty or not guilty of rape or incest;
(c) When the CSP Director finds that legal proceedings for adoption of the child are pending, the CSP Director will consider the following factors in determining whether establishing paternity would be in the best interests of the child:
(A) The nature of the relationship or contacts between the child and the self-alleged father. This determination may consider whether the child has lived with the self-alleged father or has had frequent visitation with the self-alleged father, thereby establishing a substantial parent-child relationship;
(B) The degree of parental commitment by the self-alleged father to the child. This determination may consider whether the self-alleged father has attempted to stay in contact with the child, and if such attempts would continue or increase in the future;
(C) The degree to which the self-alleged father has contributed or attempted to contribute, consistent with his ability, to the support of the child. This determination may consider the nature and extent of such support, and if such support would continue or increase in the future;
(D) If there is a legal relationship between the child and the self-alleged father, or if there has been an attempt to establish such a legal relationship through filiation proceedings, custody actions, voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, or similar actions. This determination may consider whether the self-alleged father has had an opportunity to establish a legal relationship prior to the initiation of adoption proceedings;
(E) Whether good reasons exist that would excuse the self-alleged father's failure to establish a relationship, or stay in contact with the child, or contribute to the support of the child, or attempt to establish a legal relationship with the child. Such reasons may include, but are not limited to, the self-alleged father's late awareness of the mother's pregnancy or of the child's birth.
(6) Absent judicial review, the decision of the CSP Director is final with regard to any responsibility of the administrator to pursue establishment of paternity.
(7) No provision of this rule prohibits the self-alleged father from pursuing establishing paternity on his own, without the assistance of the administrator.
(8) If the CSP Director determines (when a determination by the CSP Director is necessary under this rule) that the administrator may pursue action to establish paternity at the request of a self-alleged father, or if the administrator does not receive a written assertion requiring such a determination by the CSP Director under this rule, the administrator will proceed on the case as follows:
(a) The administrator will make diligent efforts to provide the mother of the child, unless she is deceased, with actual notice of the action to establish paternity. Notice must be by personal service upon the mother. Diligent efforts include mailing of the notice or petition and summons by first class mail to all reasonably known recent addresses with a request that the mother acknowledge service on the form provided and also mailing the same notice to one or more of the maternal grandparents, if known, addressed to them individually and requesting that they forward the notice and acknowledgment form to the mother;
(b) Notwithstanding the requirement of subsection (a) of this section, no action to establish paternity under this section may be delayed more than 60 days from the self-alleged father's initial request because of the enforcing agency's inability to provide actual notice to the mother of the child or children;
(c) If the mother of the child or children cannot be served with notice of the action or if the mother is deceased, the enforcing agency will not take an order establishing paternity unless parentage tests have been completed which fail to exclude the self-alleged father, and have a cumulative paternity index of at least 99;
(d) In any action to establish paternity in which the administrator cannot serve the child's mother, or when the mother is deceased, the administrator will request that the court appoint a willing, qualified and suitable person to be a guardian ad litem for the child. If no relative or other person agrees to such appointment, the administrator will request that an attorney be appointed for this purpose;
(e) When an order establishing paternity has been taken in accordance with this section without service of the notice or petition and summons on the mother, the administrator will mail a copy of the final order to the mother by first class mail to the most recent contact addresses in the case record, DHS’ TANF files and Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle files marked please forward, address correction requested. In addition to such mailing, the administrator will, for a period of six months from the date of the final order, continue attempts to locate the mother and personally serve her with a copy of the final order establishing paternity.
(9) All other provisions of this rule notwithstanding, the administrator cannot require the child's mother (or other custodial adult) to cooperate with efforts to establish paternity, and the administrator will not assess a penalty for not cooperating, in any case where a finding that the child's mother (or other custodial adult) is exempt from cooperating due to good cause, pursuant to federal law at 42 U.S.C. 654(a)(29) and 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(5)(B)(i), is either currently in effect or is pending. In any such case, the administrator need not proceed further on behalf of the self-alleged father if it determines that there is no further effective action the administrator can take on behalf of the self-alleged father.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: AFS 23-1993, f. & cert. ef. 10-19-93; AFS 3-1994, f. & cert. ef. 2-1-94; AFS 12-1996, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-96; AFS 9-1998, f. 5-29-98, cert. ef. 6-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0068; AFS 4-2001, f. 3-28-01, cert. ef. 4-1-01; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3080; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3080; DOJ 1-2008(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-2-08 thru 3-31-08; DOJ 6-2008, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-08; DOJ 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-09; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10
137-055-3100
Order Establishing Paternity for Failure to Comply with an Order for Parentage Testing
(1) In an action to establish paternity initiated pursuant to ORS 416.415, the administrator may serve simultaneously the Notice and Finding of Financial Responsibility and an administrative order for parentage tests.
(2) An administrative order for parentage tests may require either the mother of the child(ren) in question or a person who is a possible father of the child(ren) to file a denial of paternity in order to receive a parentage test, or it may allow testing prior to a party filing a responsive answer to the allegation of paternity.
(3) The administrator will enter an order establishing paternity based upon a party's failure to appear for parentage testing, provided that all parties have been served with a Notice and Finding of Financial Responsibility and with an order requiring parentage tests if:
(a) The mother of the subject child(ren) has named the male party who failed to appear for parentage tests in a sworn statement as a possible father of the child(ren) in question, and there is not a presumed father under ORS 109.070; or
(b) A male party has claimed in a sworn statement to be the father of the child(ren) in question and the mother and her child(ren) have failed to appear for such tests, and there is not a presumed father under ORS 109.070.
(4) An order establishing paternity based on a failure to submit to parentage tests may be entered:
(a) Whether or not a responsive answer has been filed; and
(b) Whether or not corroboration exists to support a sworn statement of a party naming a male party as a father or possible father of the child(ren) in question, provided that the male party has either:
(A) Been named in a sworn statement by the mother as a possible father of the child; or
(B) Has named himself in a sworn statement as the father of the child.
(5) The provisions of this rule do not apply to the additional parentage tests described in OAR 137-055-3020(11) through 137-055-3020(14), unless the party requesting the tests fails to comply with the order for parentage testing.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 109.070, 109.252 & 416.430

Hist.: AFS 7-1998, f. 3-30-98, cert. ef. 4-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1030; SSP 15-2003, f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 6-30-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3100; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3100; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 1-2008(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-2-08 thru 3-31-08; DOJ 6-2008, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-08; DOJ 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-09
137-055-3120
Changing Child's Surname on Birth Certificate When Paternity Established
(1) In any action or proceeding by the administrator to establish paternity of a child who was born in Oregon, if either parent wishes to have the child's surname changed on the birth certificate of the child and the other parent agrees, the administrator shall so order and notify the Center for Health Statistics of the Department of Human Services.
(2) If the parents do not agree to change the child's name on the birth certificate and either parent requests that the matter be adjudicated, the administrator shall certify the matter to the appropriate Oregon circuit court pursuant to ORS 416.430(6)(b). If neither parent requests that the matter be adjudicated, the administrator will take no action to change the surname on the birth certificate of the child.
Stat. Auth.: Sec. 2, ch. 73 OL 2003

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: AFS 2-2000, f. 1-28-00, cert. ef. 2-1-008; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1045; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3120; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3120
137-055-3140
Reopening of Paternity Cases
(1) When a party claims that a man established as the father of a child in fact is not the biological father of the child, the administrator will open or reopen the issue of paternity when all of the provisions of subsections (a) through (e) apply:
(a) The administrator initiated the action administratively which established paternity or paternity was established by a signed voluntary acknowledgment in Oregon;
(b) Parentage tests have not been conducted;
(c) The order was entered with the circuit court one year ago or less, or the voluntary acknowledgment as described in ORS 432.287 was filed with the Center for Health Statistics one year ago or less;
(d) The party applying has completed and returned to the administrator a request for reopening and, if required, a signed application for services, prior to expiration of the one year period;
(e) The administrator has jurisdiction over the parties.
(2) If at any point during the process, the administrator obtains information and verifies that the criteria in subsections (1)(a), (b), (d) or (e) are no longer met, the administrator will make a determination and will send the affected parties written notification within 10 days of verifying the information.
(3) The party who requested parentage tests must reimburse the administrator for the costs incurred by the Child Support Program for such tests, unless the male party in question is excluded.
(4) An order establishing paternity will not be vacated, dismissed or set aside under this rule unless parentage tests exclude the male party in question as the father of the child, or a party fails to comply and the issue of paternity is resolved against that party. The administrator will not submit for the court's approval, any order granting relief which requires repayment to the debtor of money paid by that debtor under the order.
(5) If a reopening initiated by the administrator results in an order of nonpaternity, the administrator will satisfy any state debt owing on the case and file credit arrears owed to any other party.
(6) Any judgment of nonpaternity under this rule will be by circuit court order.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.443, Or Laws 2007, ch 454

Hist.: AFS 29-1995, f. 11-6-95, cert. ef. 11-15-95; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1000; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3140; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3140; DOJ 2-2006(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-3-06 thru 6-30-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 1-2008(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-2-08 thru 3-31-08; DOJ 6-2008, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-08
137-055-3200
Pending Judicial Proceedings and Existing Support Orders
(1) Whenever
the administrator seeks to establish or modify a support order, the administrator
will first check the Oregon Judicial Information Network (OJIN) and the Child Support
case records to determine if:
(a) There
is any support proceeding involving the child pending in this state or any other
jurisdiction; or
(b) There
is a support order involving the child in this state or any other jurisdiction,
other than the support obligation the administrator seeks to modify.
(2) If
a judicial proceeding involving the support of the child is pending in this state,
the administrator may proceed to establish or modify the support order if:
(a) It
appears likely that a final judgment will not be entered without substantial delay;
or
(b) The
states financial interests cannot be adequately protected without proceeding with
the administrative action.
(3) If
the administrator proceeds to establish or modify a support order, the administrator
must file a notice in the pending judicial proceeding which includes the date of
initiation of the administrative action, the action being pursued, and the amount
of any current or past support sought.
(4) If
the administrator does not proceed to establish or modify a support order, the administrator
must send notice to the requesting party and may file an affidavit of appearance
in the pending proceeding.
(5) If
a support proceeding is discovered after commencing an administrative action but
prior to finalizing the administrative order, the administrator may:
(a) Certify
all matters under the notice to the court for consolidation in the court proceeding;
(b) Finalize
any portion of the order and file it in the county where the proceeding is pending;
or
(c) Withdraw
the administrative proceeding.
(6) If
a child support judgment is discovered after commencing an administrative action
but prior to finalizing the administrative order, the administrator may:
(a) Seek
to set aside the provisions of the child support judgment and ask the court to enter
a new order if:
(A) It
was issued without prior notice to the issuing court, administrative law judge or
administrator that another support proceeding involving the child was pending or
another support judgment involving the child already existed; or
(B) It
was issued without service on the administrator as required in ORS 107.087, 107.135,
107.431, 108.110, 109.103 and 109.125, when support rights are assigned to the state
and the states interests were not adequately protected.
(b) Proceed
to establish an order for past support only for periods of time not addressed by
the child support judgment; or (c) Withdraw the administrative proceeding.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 25.287 & 416.422

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.287, 108.110, 109.100, 109.103, 416.415, 416.422, 416.425, 416.440,
416.470, 419B.400 & 419C.590

Hist.:
DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04;
DOJ 7-2011, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-11
137-055-3220
Establishment of Past Support Orders
(1) For purposes of this rule
the following definitions apply:
(a) "Past support" means the
amount of child support that could have been ordered based on the Oregon Child Support
Guidelines and accumulated as arrears against a parent for the benefit of a child
for any period of time during which the child was not supported by the parent and
for which period no support order was in effect.
(b) "Supported by the parent"
in subsection (1)(a) means payments in cash or in kind in amounts or in-kind value
equal to the amount that would have accrued under the Oregon Child Support Guidelines
from the obligor to the obligee for purposes of support of the child.
(c) The Oregon Child Support
Guidelines means the formula for calculating child support specified in ORS 25.275.
(2) The administrator may establish
"past support" when establishing a child support order under ORS 416.400 through
416.470.
(3) When an obligor has made
payments in cash or in kind an obligee for the support of the child during the period
for which a judgment for past support is sought, and providing that those payments
were in amounts equal to or exceeding the amount of support that would have been
presumed correct under the Oregon Child Support Guidelines, no past support will
be ordered.
(4) When such payments as described
in section (3) were made in amounts less than the amount of support presumed correct
under the Oregon Child Support Guidelines, the amount of the past support judgment
will be the correct amount presumed under the Oregon Child Support Guidelines minus
any amounts of support paid.
(5) The obligor must provide
evidence of such payments as described in sections (3) and (4) by furnishing copies
of:
(a) Canceled checks;
(b) Cash or money order receipts;
(c) Any other type of funds
transfer records;
(d) Merchandise receipts;
(e) Verification of payments
from the obligee;
(f) Any other record of payment
deemed acceptable by the administrator.
(6) The administrator may decide
whether to accept evidence of such cash or in-kind support payments for purposes
of giving credit for them. If any party disagrees, the past support calculation
may be appealed to an administrative law judge as provided in ORS 416.427.
(7) Past support may not be
ordered for any period of time prior to the later of:
(a) October 1, 1995;
(b) The date of the initiation
of IV-D services from any jurisdiction by application for services; or
(c) In case of a mandatory referral
based on the receipt of TANF cash assistance, Medicaid, foster care or Oregon Youth
Authority services, the date of the referral to the Child Support Program (CSP).
(8) If the support case was
initiated from another jurisdiction, the date of application for services will be
considered to be either:
(a) The date the initiating
jurisdiction requests past support to begin but not before October 1, 1995; or
(b) If the initiating jurisdiction
requests that past support be established for multiple periods of time, the beginning
date of the most recent period but not before October 1, 1995; or
(c) If the initiating jurisdiction
does not specify a beginning date for past support, the date of the initiating petition
but not before October 1, 1995.
(9)
The administrator will not establish past support prior to the date of the most
recent initiation of CSP services if a case was closed after a previous referral.
If an initiating jurisdiction requests that past support be established for two
or more periods of time, past support will be established only for the most recent
period.
(10) If there is or was a child support
judgment in existence in any jurisdiction for the obligor to pay support to the
obligee for the same child, or if a child support judgment is in the process of
being litigated, no order for past support will be entered for a period of time
before entry of the child support judgment already or previously existing except
as provided in OAR 137-055-3200.
(11) If the parties are filing
for annulment, dissolution or separation under ORS 107.105 and a judgment will be
entered for months when the proceeding was pending, any order for past support may
only include amounts owed for a time period prior to the filing of the judicial
action.
(12) If the order to be entered
does not include current support and the past support would be owed only to the
State of Oregon or another jurisdiction, the administrator will not enter an order
for past support that covers a period of less than four months.
(13) Past support will be calculated
under the Oregon Child Support Guidelines and will use current income for the parties
in calculating past support monthly amounts. Parties may rebut use of current income
by presenting evidence of income in differing amounts for the months for which past
support is being ordered.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.422

Hist.: AFS 28-1995, f. 11-2-95,
cert. ef. 11-3-95; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from
461-195-1010; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03,
cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3220; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03,
cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3220; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef.
1-5-04; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10;
DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. &
cert. ef. 7-1-11; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-3240
Establishment of Arrears
(1) The administrator
will establish arrears on support cases when the following conditions have been
met:
(a) Services
are being provided under ORS 25.080;
(b) There
is an Oregon support order or an order from another jurisdiction has been registered
in Oregon;
(c) The
administrator has determined that there is a need to establish the arrears balance
on the case because:
(A) The
administrator has no record or an incomplete accounting case record;
(B) An
establishment of income withholding has been requested by an obligor or obligee
pursuant to ORS 25.381; or
(C) There
is a reason which necessitates that the arrears on the case record be reestablished;
and
(D) There
has been a request for arrears establishment by a party.
(2) A
party requesting establishment or reestablishment of arrears must furnish an accounting
that shows the payment history in as much detail as is necessary to demonstrate
the periods and amounts of any arrears.
(3) Where
arrears had earlier been established, through a process which afforded notice and
an opportunity to contest to the parties, the arrears from that period will not
be reestablished except that if interest had not been included in the establishment,
interest may be added for that period.
(4) The
administrator may establish or reestablish arrears by either:
(a) Use
of the judicial process authorized under ORS 25.167; or
(b) Use
of the administrative process authorized under ORS 416.429.
(5) Upon
completion of the arrears establishment process in subsection (4)(a) or subsection
(4)(b) of this rule, the case record will be adjusted to reflect the new arrears
amount.
(6) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this rule, when applicable, arrears will be established pursuant
to ORS 25.015.
(7) Arrears
for a child attending school as defined in OAR 137-055-5110, will be as set forth
in OAR 137-055-5120.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.015, 25.167, 25.381, 416.429

Hist.:
AFS 5-1996, f. 2-21-96, cert. ef. 3-1-96; AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98;
AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0047; AFS 2-2001,
f. 1-31-01, cert. ef. 2-1-01; AFS 15-2002, f. 10-30-02, ef. 11-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp),
f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3240; DOJ 10-2003,
f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3240; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2007,
f. & cert. ef. 7-2-07; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11;
DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-3260
Correction of Mistakes in Orders
(1) Clerical mistakes in final orders issued by the administrator pursuant to ORS 416.400 to 416.470 and errors therein arising from oversight or omission may be corrected by the administrator at any time within 60 days of the issuance of the order. The corrected order must be clearly marked "Corrected Order" and must contain notice to the parties of appeal rights as provided by ORS 416.427.
(2) The corrected order must be served on the parties by regular mail at the parties’ contact addresses.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 416.455 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.400 - 416.470

Hist.: AFS 7-1998, f. 3-30-98, cert. ef. 4-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1050; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3260; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3260; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10
137-055-3280
Administrative Law Judge Order Regarding Arrears
(1) If a party objects to the enforcement of an order under ORS 416.429 on the basis that the amount of the arrears are incorrect, an administrative law judge may determine the correct amount of the arrears, if any, and issue an order enforcing both the newly determined arrears and the current support obligation.
(2) The amount of arrears as stated on the Notice of Intent to Enforce an Order issued under ORS 416.429 will be presumed to accurately state the arrears. The presumption may be rebutted by evidence of errors in calculation, by a showing that payments were made for which credits were not appropriately recorded, or any other evidence which demonstrates that the arrears amount sought is incorrect.
(3) An administrative law judge may enter an order providing for the enforcement of current support only, pending further proceedings to determine the correct amount of arrears.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 416.455 & Sec. 2, Ch. 73 OL 2003

Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.429

Hist.: AFS 7-1998, f. 3-30-98, cert. ef. 4-1-988; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1060; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3280; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3280; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06
137-055-3290
Entry of Contingency Orders When Child Out of Care
Whenever a notice and finding of financial responsibility is issued pursuant to ORS 416.415 for a child in the care and custody of the Department of Human Services, or a youth offender or other offender in the legal or physical custody of the Oregon Youth Authority, and the child leaves care or custody prior to entry of a final order, the administrator or an administrative law judge shall:
(1) Enter a final order, in accordance with ORS 416.417, which is contingent upon the child, youth offender or other offender residing in a state financed or supported residence, shelter or other facility or institution; and
(a) If the administrator is entering the final order, sign a certificate establishing the period of non-residency and satisfying the order for the period of non-residency; or
(b) If an administrative law judge is entering the final order, advise the administrator that the child is no longer in care or custody of the Department of Human Services or Oregon Youth Authority.
(2) Upon receipt of information from an administrative law judge that a child is no longer in care or custody of the Department of Human Services or Oregon Youth Authority, if appropriate, the administrator shall sign a certificate establishing the period of non-residency and satisfy the order for the period of non-residency.
Stat. Auth.: Sec. 2, ch. 73 OL 2003

Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.417

Hist.: SSP 15-2003, f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 6-30-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3290; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3290
137-055-3300
Incarcerated Obligors
(1) For purposes of establishing or
modifying a support order, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Correctional facility"
means any place used for the confinement of persons charged with or convicted of
a crime or otherwise confined under a court order, and includes but is not limited
to a youth correction facility.
(A) "Correctional facility"
applies to a state hospital only as to persons detained therein charged with or
convicted of a crime, or detained therein after acquittal of a crime by reason of
mental defect;
(B) "Correctional facility"
includes alternative forms of confinement, such as house arrest or confinement,
where an obligor is not permitted to seek or hold regular employment.
(b) "Incarcerated obligor"
means a person who:
(A) Is or may become subject
to an order establishing or modifying child support; and
(B) Is, or is expected to
be, confined in a correctional facility for at least six consecutive months from
the date of initiation of action to establish a support order, or from the date
of a request to modify an existing order pursuant to this rule.
(2) For purposes of computing
a monthly support obligation for an incarcerated obligor, all provisions of the
Oregon child support guidelines, as set forth in OAR 137-050-0700 through 137-050-0765,
will apply except as otherwise specified in this rule.
(3) The incarcerated obligor's
income and assets are presumed available to the obligor, unless such income or assets
are specifically restricted, assigned, or otherwise inaccessible pursuant to state
or federal laws or rules regarding the income and assets of incarcerated obligors.
(4) If the incarcerated obligor
has gross income less than $200 per month, the administrator shall presume that
the obligor has zero ability to pay support.
(5) If the provisions of
section (4) of this rule apply, the administrator will not initiate an action to
establish a support obligation if the obligor is an incarcerated obligor, as defined
in subsection (1)(b) of this rule, until 61 days after the obligor's release from
incarceration.
(6) The administrator will
not initiate an action to modify a support obligation because of incarceration unless
the obligor is an incarcerated obligor, as defined in subsection (1)(b) of this
rule, and a party to the current order has requested a modification.
(7) An order entered pursuant
to ORS 416.425 and this rule, that modifies a support order because of the incarceration
of the obligor, is effective only during the period of the obligor's incarceration
and for 60 days after the obligor's release from incarceration. The previous support
order is reinstated by operation of law on the 61st day after the obligor's release
from incarceration.
(a) An order that modifies
a support order because of the obligor's incarceration must contain a notice that
the previous order will be reinstated on the 61st day after the obligor's release
from incarceration;
(b) Nothing in this rule
precludes an obligor from requesting a modification based on a periodic review,
pursuant to OAR 137-055-3420, or a change of circumstances, pursuant to OAR 137-055-3430.
(8) The provisions of this
rule do not apply to an obligor who is incarcerated because of nonpayment of support.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345 & 416.455
Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.425
Hist.: AFS 21-2000, f. &
cert. ef. 8-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0078;
AFS 4-2001, f. 3-28-01, cert. ef. 4-1-01; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef.
7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3300; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert.
ef. 10-1-03; DOJ 7-2004, f. 3-30-04, cert. ef. 4-1-04; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert.
ef. 10-1-04; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 6-2012(Temp), f. & cert.
ef. 5-24-12 thru 11-20-12; DOJ 15-2012, f. 9-27-12, cert. ef. 10-1-12; DOJ 7-2014,
f. & cert. ef. 4-1-14
137-055-3360
Entering of Administrative Orders in the Register of the Circuit Court
An administrative order under ORS 416.400
to 416.470 must be entered in accordance with the requirements of this rule:
(1) If the administrative
order establishes support or paternity and the child is not residing in a state
financed or supported residence, shelter or other facility or institution (see ORS
416.417), the order must be entered in the circuit court in the county in which
the child, or either parent of the child, resides.
(2) If the administrative
order establishes support or paternity and the child is residing in a state financed
or supported residence, shelter or other facility or institution (see ORS 416.417)
or resides out of state, the order must be entered in the circuit court in the county
in which the obligor resides.
(3) Except as provided in
section (4), if the administrative order is one that modifies an underlying support
order, the order must be entered in the circuit court in the same county as the
underlying support order.
(4) If there is a judicial
proceeding pending at the time of finalizing an administrative order establishing
support or paternity, the administrative order must be entered in the circuit court
in the same county as the pending judicial proceeding.
(5) Nothing in this rule
precludes filing liens in other Oregon counties pursuant to ORS 18.152 or transferring
judgments pursuant to ORS 25.100 or 107.449.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345 & 416.455
Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.440
Hist.: AFS 21-2000, f. &
cert. ef. 8-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1091;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3360;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3360; DOJ 2-2004,
f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04; DOJ 7-2011,
f. & cert. ef. 10-3-11; DOJ 7-2014, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-14
137-055-3400
District Attorney Case Assignment for Modification or Suspension of Support
(1)(a) The purpose
of this rule is to provide criteria for determining which Oregon District Attorney
will have responsibility for initiating action to review and modify an Oregon judgment,
or administrative order that requires payment of child support. This rule applies
only when both of the following conditions exist:
(A) An
Oregon District Attorney has responsibility for providing support enforcement services
under ORS 25.080; and
(B) Either
of the following is true:
(i) A
party to the case has requested a review and modification, as provided in OAR 137-055-3420,
for purposes of changing the amount of the monthly support obligation; or
(ii) The
obligor is presumed entitled to a suspension of the support obligation as a recipient
of certain cash assistance, as provided in ORS 25.245.
(b) This
rule does not apply to a Division of Child Support (DCS) office that is performing
district attorney functions.
(2) For
purposes of this rule, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Requesting
party" means the party requesting the district attorney to review and modify the
support obligation;
(A) The
requesting party may be the obligor, the obligee, or the child attending school;
(B) An
obligor deemed presumptively eligible for a suspension under ORS 25.245 will be
considered the "requesting party";
(b) "Non-requesting
party" means any party that is not the party as defined in subsection (2)(a), above.
(3) In
any case where there are arrears, the district attorney responsible under OAR 137-055-2020
for enforcing the case will, if the support order is in another Oregon county, transfer
in the order for review and modification under ORS 25.100.
(4) In
any case where there are no arrears:
(a) If
all the parties reside in the same Oregon county, but the support order is in another
county:
(A) The
district attorney for the county of residence of the parties will be responsible
for review and modification action;
(B) The
district attorney for the county of residence may transfer in the support order
for review and modification under ORS 25.100, as the county of residence for the
non-requesting party.
(b) If
any of the parties reside in the same Oregon county that is the county of the support
order, the district attorney for that county will be responsible for review and
modification action;
(c) If
the support order, the requesting party, and the non-requesting party(ies) are all
in different counties:
(A) If
the district attorney for the county of the requesting party has previously transferred
the support order to the requesting party's county for enforcement, the district
attorney for the enforcing county will be responsible for review and modification
action;
(B) If
the case is not currently open as an enforcement case under ORS 25.080, or if the
district attorney for the requesting party's county has never transferred the support
order for enforcement:
(i) That
district attorney will refer the requesting party to the district attorney for the
county of the support order;
(ii) The
district attorney for the county of the support order will then be responsible for
review and modification action;
(C) If
the case is currently open as an enforcement case under ORS 25.080:
(i) The
district attorney for the enforcing county will transfer the enforcement case to
the district attorney for the county of the support order;
(ii) The
district attorney for the county of the support order will then be responsible for
review and modification action;
(iii)
Once the review and modification is completed, the district attorney for the county
of the support order will transfer the enforcement case back to the proper enforcement
county under OAR 137-055-2040.
(5) If
the requesting party does not reside in Oregon, and regardless of whether the case
has arrears or not:
(a) If
the requesting party's case is already being enforced, the administrator will advise
the requesting party to direct the request to the child support program in that
other jurisdiction. The other child support program may then ask the administrator
to pursue action under appropriate state and federal statutes;
(b) If
the requesting party's support case is not being enforced under the child support
program in another jurisdiction, the administrator will handle the request under
sections (3) and (4) of this rule.
(6) If
the non-requesting party(ies) does not reside in Oregon, the district attorney will
handle the request under sections (3) and (4) of this rule.
(7) The
matrix set out in Table 1, is included in this rule as an aid, and incorporates
preceding sections of this rule: [Table not included. See Ed. Note.]
(8) Notwithstanding
subsection (1)(b), all functions and responsibilities assigned to Oregon District
Attorneys under this rule will also be considered assigned to DCS, for those counties
where DCS has assumed responsibility from the district attorney for providing support
enforcement services.
[ED. NOTE:
Tables referenced are not included in rule text. Click here for PDF copy of table(s).]
Stat.
Auth.: ORS 180.345
Stats. Implemented: ORS
25.080 & 25.287

Hist.:
AFS 33-1992, f. 11-17-92, cert. ef. 12-1-92; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef.
12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0074; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3400;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3400; DOJ 2-2004,
f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 5-2005, f. & cert. ef. 7-15-05; DOJ 1-2006,
f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 3-2011(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-3410
Modification or Notice and Finding of Financial Responsibility
(1) When the administrator is providing services pursuant to ORS 25.080, the provisions of this rule apply in any case involving the same parties where an existing order:
(a) Is silent regarding support or establishes paternity only and is not for a subsequent child of the parties;
(b) Finds that the support obligation is zero;
(c) Finds that support should be determined at a later date;
(d) Finds that support should not be ordered;
(e) Orders medical only, or establishes paternity only and is for a subsequent child of the parties; or
(f) Terminates support.
(2) If the provisions of subsection (1)(a) apply, the administrator will issue a notice and finding of financial responsibility which includes past support.
(3) Except as provided in section (4), if the provisions of subsections (1)(b), (c), (d) or (e) apply, the administrator will issue a modification pursuant to ORS 107.135 or 416.425.
(4) If the provisions of subsections 1(b), (c), or (d) apply, and the child(ren) is in the care and custody of the Department of Human Services, or is a youth offender or other offender in the legal or physical custody of the Oregon Youth Authority, the administrator may issue a notice and finding of financial responsibility which is contingent upon the child(ren), youth offender or other offender residing in a state financed or supported residence, shelter or other facility or institution;
(a) If the child(ren) is over age 18, the provisions of OAR 137-055-3485 will apply.
(b) If the child(ren) goes out of state care before the order is finalized, the provisions of OAR 137-055-3290 will apply.
(5) If the provisions of subsection (1)(f) apply, the administrator will issue a notice and finding of financial responsibility which includes past support. The administrator may consider the circumstances underlying the termination of support or establishment of paternity only in setting the amount of past support.
(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of this rule, when adding a subsequent child of the same parties to an existing order, the administrator will issue a modification pursuant to ORS 107.135 or 416.425.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080, 107.135, 416.415, 416.417, 416.422 & 416.425

Hist.: DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04; DOJ 9-2005, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07
137-055-3420
Periodic Review and Modification
of Child Support Order Amounts
(1) “Periodic Review” means
a proceeding initiated under ORS 25.287(1) to modify an existing order to comply
with the child support guidelines.
(2) The administrator will
initiate a periodic review if a written request is received from any party or the
family is currently receiving TANF, and 35 months have passed since the date:
(a) The most recent support
order took effect, or
(b) The most recent order
determining that the support order should not be adjusted was signed. For purposes
of calculating the 35-month time period, a suspension and temporary modification
order entered pursuant to ORS 416.425(13) will not be considered.
(3) For purposes of a periodic
review, a child support order is not in substantial compliance with the guidelines
if it has been more than 35 months since the order took effect.
(4) The administrator must
complete the modification of the existing order within 180 days of receiving a written
request for a periodic review, initiating the mandatory review, or locating the
non-requesting party(ies), whichever occurs later.
(5) The administrator is
responsible for conducting a periodic review in this state or for requesting that
another jurisdiction conduct a review pursuant to OAR 137-055-7190. As provided
in ORS 110.429 and 110.432, the law of the jurisdiction reviewing the order applies
in determining if a basis for modification exists.
(6) On receipt of a written
request for a periodic review or when a mandatory periodic review is required, the
administrator will notify the parties of the review in writing, allowing the parties
30 days to provide information that may affect the support calculation.
(7) If there is an adult
child on the case, the proposed modification will be a tiered order as defined in
OAR 137-055-1020.
(8) For all child support
cases receiving support enforcement services under ORS 25.080, the Child Support
Program (CSP) will annually notify the parties:
(a) Of their right to request
a periodic review of the amount of support ordered; and
(b) That the CSP will perform
a mandatory periodic review and adjustment if the family is currently receiving
TANF.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345 & 416.455
Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080,
25.287, 25.321–25.343, 107.135 & 416.425
Hist.: AFS 65-1989, f. 10-31-89,
cert. ef. 11-1-89; AFS 11-1992(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 4-30-92; AFS 26-1992, f.
& cert. ef. 9-30-92; AFS 20-1993, f. 10-11-93, cert. ef. 10-13-93; AFS 21-1994,
f. 9-13-94, cert. ef. 12-1-94; AFS 17-1997(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-16-97; AFS
17-1997(Temp) Repealed by AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 23-1997,
f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 75-1998, f. 9-11-98, cert. ef. 9-15-98; AFS 13-1999,
f. 10-29-99, cert. ef. 11-1-99; AFS 9-2000, f. 3-13-00, cert. ef. 4-1-00; AFS 21-2000,
f. & cert. ef. 8-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered
from 461-195-0072; AFS 23-2001, f. 10-2-01, cert. ef. 10-6-01; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01,
cert. ef. 1-1-02; SSP 4-2003, f. 2-25-03, cert. ef. 3-1-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f.
6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3420; DOJ 10-2003,
f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3420; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04
cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 10-2004, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-04; DOJ 4-2005, f. & cert.
ef. 4-1-05; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006,
f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 8-2007,
f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 11-2008(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-15-08 thru
9-30-08; DOJ 12-2008(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 10-1-08 thru 3-29-09; DOJ 14-2008(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 10-7-08 thru 3-29-09; DOJ 1-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-09;
DOJ 4-2009(Temp), f. 5-6-09, cert. ef. 5-7-09 thru 11-1-09; DOJ 13-2009, f. &
cert. ef. 10-30-09; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11; DOJ
5-2013, f. & cert. ef. 7-8-13; DOJ 1-2014(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-13-14
thru 7-12-14; DOJ 9-2014, f. & cert. ef. 5-22-14
137-055-3430
Substantial Change in Circumstance
Modification of Child Support Order Amounts
(1) For purposes of this rule: “Substantial
compliance” means that the difference between the existing support order and
the amount calculated using current guidelines is not greater than $50 or 15% of
the current guideline amount, whichever is less.
(2) Notwithstanding OAR 137-055-3420,
proceedings may be initiated at any time to review and modify a support obligation
based upon a substantial change in circumstance.
(3) The administrator will
conduct a review based on a request for a change of circumstance modification when:
(a) Oregon has jurisdiction
to modify; and
(b) The administrator:
(A) Receives a request for
modification based on a change of circumstance and at least 60 days have passed
from the date the existing support order was entered. For those cases where a review
is requested pursuant to paragraphs (3)(c)(H) or (I), there is no need for 60 days
to have passed; or
(B) Determines that a modification
should be initiated based on the administrator’s motion; and
(c) At least one of the following
criteria are met:
(A) A change in the written
parenting time agreement or order has taken place;
(B) The financial or household
circumstances of one or more of the parties are different now than they were at
the time the order was entered;
(C) Social Security benefits
received on behalf of a child due to a parent’s disability or retirement were
not previously considered in the order or they were considered in an action initiated
before May 12, 2003;
(D) Veterans benefits received
on behalf of a child due to a parent’s disability or retirement were not previously
considered in the order or they were considered in an action initiated before May
12, 2003;
(E) Survivors’ and
Dependents’ Education Assistance benefits received by the child or on behalf
of the child were not previously considered in the order;
(F) Since the date of the
last order, the obligor has been incarcerated, as defined in OAR 137-055-3300;
(G) The needs of the child(ren)
have changed;
(H) There is a need to add
or change medical support provisions for a child;
(I) A change in the physical
custody of a minor child has taken place;
(J) An order is being modified
to include a subsequent child of the parties or to remove a child of the parties;
or
(K) A child who is 18 years
of age or older and under 21 years of age does not qualify as a child attending
school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110 and, pursuant to ORS 107.108(10),
tiered order provisions will be added, removed or changed. Tiered order has the
meaning given in OAR 137-055-1020,
(d) And the requesting party
(if other than the administrator):
(A) Makes a written or verbal
request for modification based on a substantial change of circumstance;
(B) Pursuant to ORS 416.425,
provides appropriate documentation for the criteria in subsection (c) of this section
showing that a substantial change of circumstance has occurred; and
(C) Completes a Uniform Income
Statement or Uniform Support Affidavit.
(4) Upon receipt of a request
for modification, or on the administrator’s initiative, the administrator
will notify the parties of the review in writing, allowing the parties 30 days to
provide information that may affect the support calculation.
(5) A request for modification
will be granted:
(a) If the order is not in
substantial compliance with the guidelines and the request was due to one of the
criteria in paragraphs (3)(c)(A) through (3)(c)(G).
(b) Whether or not the order
is in substantial compliance with the guidelines, so long as:
(A) The request was due to
one of the criteria in paragraphs (3)(c)(H) through (3)(c)(K), or
(B) The new calculation:
(i) Includes consent by the
parties as provided in OAR 137-050-0765;
(ii) Includes compelling
factors as provided in OAR 137-050-0750;
(iii) Includes application
of rebuttals, as provided in OAR 137-050-0760; or
(iv) Is for a modification
to consider receipt of Social Security or Veterans benefits as provided in paragraphs
(3)(c)(C) or (D).
(6) If the request for modification
is granted, the administrator will advise the parties of the guideline child support
obligation. Notification may be by motion for modification and will include a request
for hearing form. If there is an adult child on the case, the proposed modification
will be a tiered order as defined in OAR 137-055-1020.
(7) If a request under this
rule is denied, the administrator will notify the requesting party in writing within
30 days of the denial and inform the party of their right to file a motion for modification
as provided in ORS 416.425. The administrator will provide the party with information
on how to obtain the Oregon Judicial Department packet that has been developed for
this purpose.
(8) No provision of this
rule prevents the parties from obtaining the services of private legal counsel at
any time to pursue modification of the support order.
(9) If a request for review
and modification is received because a change in the physical custody of the minor
child(ren) has taken place, a party may also request a credit back to the date the
change in physical custody took place in accordance with OAR 137-055-5510.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345 & 416.455
Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080,
25.287, 25.321–25.343, 107.108, 107.135 & 416.425
Hist.: DOJ 10-2004, f. &
cert. ef. 7-1-04; DOJ 16-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-3-05; DOJ 4-2005, f. &
cert. ef. 4-1-05; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ
1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ
8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 4-2009(Temp), f. 5-6-09, cert. ef. 5-7-09
thru 11-1-09; DOJ 6-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 5-14-09 thru 11-1-09; DOJ 13-2009,
f. & cert. ef. 10-30-09; DOJ 13-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-1-10 thru 12-27-10;
DOJ 19-2010, f. 12-20-10, cert. ef. 12-27-10; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef.
1-3-12; DOJ 6-2012(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 5-24-12 thru 11-20-12; DOJ 15-2012,
f. 9-27-12, cert. ef. 10-1-12; DOJ 5-2013, f. & cert. ef. 7-8-13
137-055-3435
Physical Custody Changes: Adjusting
Orders
(1) This rule applies when physical
custody of a child changes as described in ORS 416.416. For purposes of this rule,
“non-custodial” party means the party without physical custody of the
minor child.
(2) The provisions of this
rule apply only when all of the children in the support order change physical custody
from one parent to another, and the change is not for the purpose of exercising
parenting time or visitation.
(3) Specifically excluded
from adjustments for physical custody are an adult child as defined in OAR 137-055-5110
and a child attending school, as defined in 137-055-5110, because neither are considered
to be in the physical custody of anyone.
(4) When a support order
has language sufficient to change the support award when a change in physical custody
occurs, a party may submit a sworn affidavit or court order to the administrator
which includes the date the party obtained physical custody. The administrator will
notify the parties that support will be changed 14 days from the date of mailing
to the parties’ last known addresses. The notice must include:
(a) A copy of the affidavit
or court order;
(b) The amount of support
the non-custodial party will be ordered to pay, as previously determined in the
support order;
(c) A statement that a hearing
may be requested under ORS 416.427; and
(d) A statement that the
only issues to be considered in a hearing are whether there has been a change in
physical custody and the date on which it took place.
(5) If an objection is received,
the administrator will forward it, along with the requesting party’s affidavit,
to the Office of Administrative Hearings for a final determination about physical
custody.
(6) If no objection is received,
the administrator will file a money award to provide notice of the ending of the
obligation of the former non-custodial parent, and of beginning the obligation of
the new non-custodial parent.
(7) Nothing in this rule
prohibits a party from requesting a review and adjustment of a support order under
OAR 137-055-3420, or a change of circumstances modification under 137-055-3430.
Stat. Auth: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 416
(2009 OL Ch 353)

Hist.: DOJ 1-2010, f. &
cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 7-2014, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-14
137-055-3440
Effective Date of Modification Under ORS 416.425
(1) In any proceeding to modify a support order under ORS 416.425, the modification may be effective on or at any time after the last nonrequesting party is served with a motion to set aside, alter or modify the judgment.
(2) If a motion to set aside, alter or modify a judgment is served on more than one nonrequesting party, the modification may be effective on or at any time after the last nonrequesting party is served.
(3)(a) For purposes of this rule a nonrequesting party is an individual obligee, a child attending school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110, or an obligor under the child support order.
(b) An adult child, as defined in OAR 137-055-5110, who has sent a written request to the administrator to be a party to the modification is not a nonrequesting party for purposes of determining the effective date of a modification.
(4) If an amended motion is initiated and served on the parties, the effective date may be the date the original motion was served on the last nonrequesting party.
(5) This rule applies to any modification finalized after January 5, 2004.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 107.135, 180.345 & 416.455

Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.425

Hist.: AFS 7-1998, f. 3-30-98, cert. ef. 4-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1080; AFS 15-2002, f. 10-30-02, ef. 11-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3440; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3440; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06
137-055-3460
Processing Modifications When Unable to Find a Party
(1) On any Oregon child support case, whenever Oregon law or administrative rule requires the administrator to process a modification of a support order to zero, and a State of Oregon court or the administrator has jurisdiction to modify the support order, the administrator shall proceed even in the event that the administrator cannot locate the obligee.
(2) For purposes of this rule, before the administrator can determine that the obligee cannot be found, the administrator must first submit a request to the State Parent Locator Service of the Division of Child Support and must allow the State Parent Locator Service at least 90 days to verify an address or employer for the party being sought.
(3) When the motion to modify the support order is for a modification to zero because the obligated parent is either receiving certain cash assistance as provided in ORS 25.245, or is incarcerated, or now has physical custody of the child(ren) named in the support order, and the administrator cannot locate the obligee, the administrator may serve by other methods as allowed in 25.020(9)(a) or ORCP 7.D(6).
(4) Provisions in this rule regarding a motion to modify a support order to zero are also applicable to a motion to terminate support or, if the obligor is receiving certain cash assistance as provided in ORS 25.245, to a notice suspending support.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020(9), 25.085, 25.245 & ORCP 7.D

Hist.: AFS 20-1998, f. & cert. ef. 10-5-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1085; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3460; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3460; DOJ 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-09
137-055-3480
Modification of a Support Order to Zero
(1) The administrator may, upon its own initiative, or upon the request of a party, initiate the necessary action to modify a child support obligation to zero when one of the conditions listed in subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section apply;
(a) The child or children for whose benefit the support was ordered no longer are in the physical custody of the obligee. This subsection does not apply when the child is a child attending school or an adult child under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110.
(b) The family is reconciled (that is, the obligor, obligee and child or children live together as an intact family).
(c) The obligee or beneficiary of the obligee is not receiving TANF cash assistance, foster care or Oregon Youth Authority services and has requested that the administrator modify the support obligation to zero.
(d) The child for whom support is ordered will be added to an existing order for a different child of the same parties.
(2) No order modifying a support obligation to zero shall be taken ex parte.
(3) Nothing in this rule prohibits the suspension of support accrual under any order for the reason that the obligor receives certain cash assistance as provided in ORS 25.245.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345 & 416.455

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.287 & 416.425

Hist.: AFS 7-1998, f. 3-30-98, cert. ef. 4-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1070; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3480; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3480; DOJ 7-2004, f. 3-30-04, cert. ef. 4-1-04; DOJ 9-2005, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06
137-055-3485
Establishment or Modification When Child Approaching or Past 18th Birthday
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of OAR 137-055-3420 and 137-055-3430, the administrator will, upon request of a party, or upon its own initiative, initiate establishment of a support order or a modification of a support order when a child is approaching his/her 18th birthday if it will result in four months or more of child support. For purposes of this rule child support includes past support, current support and/or support for the time a child is expected to be a "child attending school" pursuant to ORS 107.108
(2) Upon application or referral, the administrator will only initiate establishment of a support order or establishment of paternity before a child's 18th birthday. As long as legal proceedings are initiated before a child's 18th birthday, they may continue after the child's 18th birthday.
(3) Upon application, the administrator will initiate modification of an existing support order while a child is a "child attending school" if it will affect four months or more of child support as described in section (1).
(4) Upon request the administrator will initiate a modification to zero or a termination of support up to one month before a child's 18th birthday or if the child is a "child attending school" up to one month before the child's 21st birthday.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.080, 180.345, 416.430

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.010, 25.080; 25.287, 107.105, 107.108, 107.135, 109.100, 109.510, 109.704, 110.303, 416.425, 416.455, 418.001, 418.035, 419C.590, 419B.400

Hist.: DOJ 10-2004, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-04
137-055-3490
Suspension of Enforcement
(1) For purposes of this rule, "credit balance" means that payments received on a support account exceed all amounts owed by the obligor for ongoing and past-due support.
(2) When a motion has been filed to terminate, vacate, or set aside a support order or when a motion has been filed to modify a support order because of a change in physical custody of the child, the administrator may suspend enforcement of the support order if:
(a) Collection of support would result in the support account accruing a credit balance if the motion were granted; and
(b) The obligee and any child attending school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110, do not object to suspending enforcement of the support order.
(3) When enforcement is to be suspended under this section, the administrator will send written notice of the proposed suspension to the obligee and the child attending school, and will send a copy of the notice to the obligor;
(4) The notice will advise the obligee and the child attending school, that the obligee, and the child attending school, have 14 days from the date the notice is sent to object in writing to the proposed suspension of enforcement and to give the reason(s) for the objection.
(a) If the suspension is due to a motion to terminate, vacate or set aside a support order, the obligee and the child attending school, may object only on the basis that a credit balance would not result if the motion were granted.
(b) If the suspension is due to a motion to modify the support order because of a change in physical custody, the obligee or child attending school, may object only on the basis that:
(A) The child(ren) is/are not in the physical custody of the obligor;
(B) The child(ren) is/are in the custody of the obligor without the consent of the obligee or without a court order for legal custody; or
(C) A credit balance would not result if the motion were granted.
(D) When an obligee or child attending school, files a written objection under this subsection, the administrator will not suspend enforcement. However, if the obligee or child attending school's written objection results in the obligor accruing a credit balance, the provisions of OAR 137-055-6260 will apply. In addition, the obligee or child attending school, may incur an overpayment under OAR 137-055-6220;
(5) The obligee or child attending school may appeal the administrator's decision to suspend enforcement of the support order under ORS 183.484.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.125 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.125

Hist.: AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0069; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3490; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3490; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06
137-055-3495
Redirection of Support
(1) “Redirect” or “redirection
of support” means:
(a) The process of distributing
support that would otherwise be paid to the judgment creditor to a person who has
physical custody of one or more minor children covered by a child support order;
or
(b) The process of distributing
to the obligee any support that would otherwise be paid to a child attending school
pursuant to OAR 137-055-5110(5)(b).
(2) The administrator will
redirect support to a person with physical custody of one or more minor children
covered by a child support order under the following circumstances:
(a) The judgment creditor
submits a notarized authorization for support to be redirected to a person with
physical custody of one or more minor children covered by a child support order;
or
(b) The administrator has
joined a person with physical custody of one or more minor children to a child support
order pursuant to OAR 137-055-3500 and the order is not being modified.
(3) If the order is a class
order as defined in OAR 137-055-1020(7) and current support is redirected under
this rule for less than all of the children for whom support is ordered, the administrator
will determine the amount of support to attribute to each child by dividing the
monthly support amount by the number of children for whom support is ordered,
(4) If the order is a class
order as defined in OAR 137-055-1020(7) and arrears are redirected under this rule
for less than all of the children, collections for arrears will be split equally
between the judgment creditor and the person to whom support is redirected.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345 and 416.455
Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.407
Hist.: DOJ 6-2015, f. &
cert. ef. 3-30-15
137-055-3500
Joinder of a New Party to a Child
Support Proceeding
(1) In any proceeding under ORS 416.400
to 416.465 to modify a child support obligation or to redirect support, any party
may join any other person who has physical custody of a child in the proceeding.
(2) Before a person may be
joined as a party, the administrator shall determine who has physical custody of
the child. The determination of who has physical custody of a child is not affected
by who may have legal custody of the child. A person has physical custody when that
person is responsible for the care, control and supervision of the child. The administrator
shall make this determination upon reliable objective information including one
or more of, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Written agreement of
all parties to the proceeding and of the person having physical custody of the child;
(b) Current school or day
care records of the child, indicating the child's name, address and primary caretaker;
(c) Notarized statements
by persons who are knowledgeable about the child's primary place of residence and
primary physical custodian;
(d) Letters of guardianship
or other court records;
(e) Current state or federal
agency records.
(3) The administrator shall
send written notification of the determination of physical custody and joinder to
all parties and the person proposed to be joined as a party. The notice shall inform
the parties and the person proposed to be joined that:
(a) A determination of physical
custody will result in joining the person with physical custody as a party to the
action;
(b) A person who is joined
as a party has the rights of a party, including the right to receive current child
support;
(c) An objection to the determination
of who has physical custody must be made to the administrator in writing within
30 days of the date that the determination was served.
(4) The notice described
in section (3) may be served on the parties and the person proposed to be a party
as part of an action to modify a support order or to redirect support in the same
manner that service is required in ORS 416.425. If the proposed modification or
redirection of support has already been served, the action may be amended to include
the notice of determination of physical custody and joinder and shall be served
on the parties and the person proposed to be added or removed as a party in the
same manner that service is required in ORS 416.425. If no objection is received
within the time allotted in section (3) the person determined to have physical custody
of the child shall be joined as a party to the action.
(5) If a written objection
is filed pursuant to section (3) of this rule, the matter shall proceed as follows:
(a) The administrator shall
attempt to resolve the dispute with the persons involved and, if the dispute is
resolved, issue an order reflecting how the matter is resolved;
(b) If the dispute cannot
be resolved, the written objection shall be considered a request for a hearing and
the issues of physical custody and joinder shall then be heard and determined by
an administrative law judge, pursuant to procedures established under ORS 416.400
to ORS 416.465. The issues of physical custody and joinder may be determined at
the hearing to establish or modify a support obligation. The administrative law
judge=s determination of physical custody and joinder shall be included in the order
to modify support and may be appealed pursuant to ORS 416.427;
(c) If the issues of physical
custody and joinder are raised for the first time during a hearing to modify or
establish support, the administrative law judge has authority to postpone the hearing
and to order the administrator to serve a person alleged or claiming to have physical
custody of the child. After service is accomplished, the administrative law judge
may proceed with the hearing and has authority to make a determination of physical
custody in accordance with section (2) of this rule. The administrative law judge’s
determination of physical custody and joinder shall be included in the order to
modify or establish support and may be appealed pursuant to ORS 416.427.
(6) Any person who has been
previously joined as a party, pursuant to this rule, shall be removed as a party
after the administrator has determined that the child is no longer in the custody
of that person. In making this determination, the administrator may use the criteria
specified in subsections (2)(a) through (2)(e) of this rule.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345, 416.455
Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.407
Hist.: AFS 13-1999, f. 10-29-99,
cert. ef. 11-1-99; AFS 2-2000, f. 1-28-00, cert. ef. 2-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00,
cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1065; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert.
ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3500; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03,
cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3500; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert.
ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; Administrative correction 3-20-06; DOJ 6-2015, f. &
cert. ef. 3-30-15
137-055-3620
Administrative Subpoena
(1) The administrator and child support programs of other states that provide services pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act may issue administrative subpoenas pursuant to ORS 25.082.
(2) Subpoenas issued by the administrator and child support programs of other states shall be in the form adopted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services for that purpose.
(3) Administrative subpoenas issued under this rule may compel the release of financial records and other information needed to establish paternity or to establish, modify or enforce a support order.
(4) Administrative subpoenas issued under this rule may be served on an individual or on a public or private entity.
(a) A public entity means an agency or office of any federal, state or local government.;
(b) A private entity means any business entity or organization however organized, including all profit and non-profit entities.
(5) Subpoenas issued by the administrator pursuant to this rule may specify a time for compliance of not less than ten working days.
(6) Subpoenas issued pursuant to this rule may be served by certified mail or personal service.
(7) An administrative subpoena issued by the administrator or a child support program of another state may be enforced by an Oregon court or the administrator.
(8) The administrator may enforce a subpoena by:
(a) Imposition of a civil penalty not to exceed $250 imposed in the manner provided in ORS 183.745;
(b) Application to a court to compel compliance with the administrative subpoena; or
(c) Suspension of a license pursuant to OAR 137-055-3640 if the individual served with the subpoena is a party to a child support or paternity case.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.082 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.082

Hist.: AFS 13-1996, f. 4-15-96, cert. ef. 5-1-96; AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 13-1999, f. 10-29-99, cert. ef. 11-1-99; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0076; AFS 2-2001, f. 1-31-01, cert. ef. 2-1-01; SSP 4-2003, f. 2-25-03, cert. ef. 3-1-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3620; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3620
137-055-3640
Enforcement of a Subpoena by License Suspension
(1) For the purposes of this
rule the following definitions apply:
(a) "License" means any of the
licenses, certificates, permits or registrations that a person is required by state
law to possess in order to engage in an occupation or profession, all annual licenses
issued to individuals by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, all driving privileges
granted by the Department of Transportation under ORS chapter 807 which includes
all driving licenses and permits, and all hunting and fishing licenses and tags
issued by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife;
(b) "Administrative review"
means a review of the obligor's objection to proposed action under this rule performed
by the administrator to determine that:
(A) There is not a mistake in
identity of the party;
(B) The party has not complied
with the subpoena; or
(C) The subpoena was properly
served upon the party.
(2) At the discretion of the
administrator, the administrator may use the remedy set out in this rule or any
other remedy allowable under Oregon law to enforce compliance with a subpoena issued
pursuant to OAR 137-055-3620.
(3) When a party to a child
support or paternity case has been served with a subpoena pursuant to OAR 137-055-3620
the time for compliance set out on the subpoena has expired and the subpoenaed party
has not complied with the subpoena, the administrator may serve notice to the party
that a license or licenses issued to that party will be suspended.
(4) The notice of license suspension
will contain:
(a) The license(s) subject to
suspension;
(b) The name of the person whose
license is subject to suspension, the child support case number, the social security
number, if available, and date of birth, if known;
(c) The date the original subpoena
had been served, the deadline the subpoena set for compliance and the documents
or information that had been subpoenaed;
(d) The procedure for contesting
license suspension and the bases for contesting the suspension. The only bases for
contesting the suspension are:
(A) There is a mistake in identity
of the party;
(B) The party has complied with
the subpoena; or
(C) The subpoena was not properly
served upon the party pursuant to OAR 137-055-3620.
(e) A statement that the party
has 30 days to contest suspension in writing by requesting an administrative review
on a form provided by the administrator;
(f) A statement that if the
party provides the information or documents that were originally specified in the
subpoena within 30 days of the date of the notice, the license(s) will not be suspended;
and
(g) A statement that failure
to contact the administrator within 30 days of the date of the notice to either
request an administrative review to contest the suspension or to provide the originally
subpoenaed information or documents will result in suspension of the license(s).
(5) If the party contests the
suspension of the license(s), the administrator will conduct an administrative review
to determine if the suspension should occur:
(6) If the administrator determines
that the suspension of the license should occur, all parties will receive written
notice of such determination. The notice will include the following:
(a) The basis for the determination;
(b) The right to appeal the
determination and a form on which to make the appeal;
(c) The time limit for making
an appeal is 30 days from the date of the notice;
(d) That if no appeal of the
suspension is received within 30 days, the licensing agency will be notified to
suspend the license immediately.
(7) An appeal of the determination
in subsection (5) of this rule will be to an administrative law judge and the suspension
of the license is stayed pending the decision of the administrative law judge. The
only bases for the appeal are:
(a) There is a mistake in identity
of the party;
(b) The party has complied with
the subpoena; or
(c) The subpoena was not properly
served upon the party pursuant to OAR 137-055-3620.
(8) If the party fails to provide
the subpoenaed information or documents or fails to appeal the determination within
the time period allowed, or if the administrative law judge affirms the administrative
determination, the administrator will send a notice to the issuing agency to suspend
the license. A copy of this order will be sent to all parties by regular mail.
(9) The notice to the issuing
agency to suspend the license will contain the following:
(a) A statement that a child
support or paternity case record is being maintained by the Child Support Program
and that the license holder is a party in that case; and
(b) A statement that the holder
of the license has failed to comply with a subpoena pursuant to OAR 137-055-3620.
(10) At any time after suspension
of the license, the party may request that the administrator conduct a review to
determine if the basis for the license suspension continues to exist. The administrator
will review the suspension and notify the issuing agency to reinstate the license,
when any of the following conditions are met:
(a)
The party has furnished the originally subpoenaed information or documents;
(b) The legal action, enforcement action
or other case action has been completed and there is no longer a need for the originally
subpoenaed information or documents; or
(c) There is no longer a Child
Support Program case.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.082, 25.750,
and 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.082
and 25.750

Hist.: AFS 13-1999, f. 10-29-99,
cert. ef. 11-1-99; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from
461-195-0077; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered
from 461-200-3640; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3640;
DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-3660
Multiple Child Support Judgments
(1) When the administrator finds that
two or more child support judgments exist involving the same obligor and child for
the same time period and each judgment was issued in this state, the administrator
may:
(a) Issue a proposed governing
child support order, as provided in ORS 416.448;
(b) Petition the court in
the county where a child who is subject to the judgment resides for a governing
child support judgment; or
(c) Move to set aside any
one of the support judgments if the judgment was entered in error.
(2) For purposes of a governing
child support proceeding, there is a presumption that the terms of the last-issued
child support judgment are the controlling terms and supersede contrary terms of
each earlier-issued child support judgment, except that:
(a) When the last-issued
child support judgment is silent about non-medical child support, the non-medical
child support terms of an earlier-issued child support judgment continue; and
(b) When the last-issued
child support judgment is silent about medical support, the medical support terms
of an earlier-issued child support judgment continue.
(3) The presumption may be
rebutted if the last issued child support judgment:
(a) Was issued without prior
notice to the issuing court, administrative law judge or administrator that another
support proceeding involving the child was pending or another support judgment involving
the child already existed;
(b) Was issued after an earlier
child support judgment and did not enforce, modify or set aside the earlier child
support judgment;
(c) Should be set aside under
ORS 25.089(3)(a) and ORCP 71 because it was issued without service on the administrator
as required in ORS 107.087, 107.135, 107.431, 108.110, 109.103 and 109.125, when
support rights are assigned to the state and the states interests were not adequately
protected; or
(d) Should otherwise be set
aside under ORS 25.089(3)(a) and ORCP 71.
(4) The administrator may
issue a proposed governing child support order as provided in subsection (1)(a),
only if the presumption in section (2) is applied.
(5) When determining which
support judgment was the Alast-issued@ for purposes of determining a governing child
support judgment, the issue date for any support judgment will be:
(a) The date the support
judgment was entered into the circuit court register; or
(b) If the support judgment
is an administrative modification of a court judgment the date the order approving
the modification was entered into the circuit court register.
(6) When the court issues
a governing child support judgment or when an administrative governing child support
order is approved by the court, the non-controlling terms of each earlier child
support judgment regarding non-medical child support or medical support are terminated.
However, the issuance of the governing child support judgment does not affect any
support payment arrearage or any liability related to medical support that has accrued
under a child support judgment before the governing child support judgment is issued.
(7) The administrator’s
proposed governing child support order or petition for governing child support judgment
will include:
(a) A reconciliation of any
child support arrears or credits for overpayments under all of the child support
judgments; or
(b) An order or motion to
reconcile any child support arrears or credits for overpayments under all of the
child support judgments in a separate proceeding under ORS 25.167 or 416.429.
(8) When reconciling any
child support arrears or credits for overpayments under all of the child support
judgments included in the governing child support proceeding for time periods prior
to entry of a governing child support judgment:
(a) The obligor is expected
to pay the total amount of current support due under the highest judgment; and
(b) Payment made toward any
one of the judgments must be credited against the obligation owed under the others.
(9) This rule does not apply
if the later-issued child support judgment was entered in circuit court before January
1, 2004, the administrator was providing services under ORS 25.080, and the administrator
treated a later-in-time court judgment as superseding an earlier entered administrative
order.
(10) For purposes of this
rule, a Support Judgment means an administrative order for child support that has
been entered into the circuit court register under ORS 416.440 or a judgment of
the court for child support.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345, 416.448

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.089,
25.091, 25.167, 416.429 and 416.448

Hist.: DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04
cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert.
ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 7-2014, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-14
137-055-3665
Multiple Child Support Judgments - Multiple Obligees
(1) For the purposes of this rule, the provisions of OAR 137-055-3660 will apply to cases with multiple child support judgments, with the following exceptions:
(a) When the administrator finds that two or more child support judgments exist involving the same obligor, same child(ren) and multiple obligees for the same time period, the administrator may initiate a governing child support order, and reconcile arrears.
(b) When the administrator finds that two or more child support judgments exist involving the same obligor, and multiple obligees for the same time period but do not include all of the children, the administrator may initiate a governing child support order, and reconcile arrears to the extent possible.
(2) The obligee having physical custody of the child(ren) during the month in which arrears accrued will be allocated that month's arrears.
(3) The allocation in section (2) may be done on a pro rata basis, using the monthly support amount for each child, if there are multiple obligees for different children.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 416.448

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.164, 25.167, 416.422

Hist.: DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04
137-055-4040
New Hire Reporting Requirements
(1) Employers
with employees who work only in this state or who have designated Oregon as their
reporting state with the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services must
transmit information regarding the hiring or rehiring of any employee by:
(a) Mailing
or faxing to the Division of Child Support (DCS) a copy of the IRS W-4 Form completed
by the newly hired employee; or
(b) Mailing
or faxing to DCS a completed form adopted by DCS; or
(c) Sending
to DCS a magnetic tape or diskette, as specified by DCS; or
(d) Any
other method approved by DCS.
(2) Reports
made under this section must contain the employer's name, address and federal tax
identification number and the employee's name, address and social security number.
(3) Reports
made by copy of W-4 form or by the form adopted by DCS must be sent to DCS not later
than 20 days after the employer hires or rehires the employee. Employers who transmit
the reporting data magnetically or electronically must transmit the data within
12 to 16 days of hiring or rehiring the employee.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.790

Hist.:
AFS 16-1998, f. 9-16-98, cert. ef. 10-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef.
12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0236; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03
thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4040; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef.
10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4040; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11
thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-4060
Income Withholding —
General Provisions, Requirements and Definitions
(1) OARs 137-055-4060
through 137-055-4080 provide for collection of support by means of income withholding,
in accordance with ORS 25.372 through 25.427 and all other applicable Oregon
law, on all support cases being enforced by the administrator.
(2) For
purposes of OARs 137-055-4060 through 137-055-4080 and as used in ORS 25.372 through
25.427, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Alternative
payment method" means the methods of paying support described in OAR 137-055-4080;
(b) "Best
interests of the child" means the method of payment likely to produce consistent
support that will reach the child(ren) in the most expedited manner.
(c) "Disposable
income" means the part of an individual's income that remains after the deduction
of any amounts required to be withheld by law, except as provided in paragraphs
(B) or (C) of this subsection.
(A) Amounts
required to be withheld by law include, but are not limited to, required withholding
for taxes and social security;
(B) Any
amounts withheld for the following will not be deducted from the obligor's income
when computing disposable income, even if such withholding is required by law or
by judicial or administrative order:
(i) Health
insurance premiums;
(ii) Spousal
or child support.
(C) An
obligor may claim offsets against gross receipts for ordinary and necessary business
expenses and taxes directly related to the income withheld. The obligor has the
burden of proving such claims and must therefore furnish verifiable business records
or documents to support any offsets claimed. The obligor also has the burden of
furnishing such records or documents in a timely manner, and the Division of Child
Support (DCS) will not refund to the obligor, on the basis of such claims, any amounts
withheld that DCS has already disbursed to the obligee or to any child attending
school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110;
(d) “Electronic
Funds Transfer” (EFT) has the definition given in OAR 137-055-5035, and includes
but is not limited to payment by Electronic Payment Withdrawal (EPW) and by debit
or credit system or card.
(e) “Electronic
Payment Withdrawal” (EPW) means an automatic withdrawal of support from the
person’s bank account.
(f) "Good
cause" for not withholding means a situation that exists when:
(A) A
court or the administrator makes a written determination that, and a written explanation
in the official record of why, immediate income withholding would not be in the
best interests of the child; and
(B) If
the case involves the modification of an existing support order, there is proof
of timely payment of previously-ordered support and there are no arrears. Timely
payment is indicated when the obligor has not previously become subject to initiated
income withholding under the existing order.
(g) “Periodic
recurring income” as used in calculating withholding from a lump sum payment
or benefit pursuant to ORS 25.414(4), means income that is intended as a monthly
or more frequent payment that includes, but is not limited to, a teacher’s
lump sum payment for summer months.
(3) All
support orders issued or modified by the administrator will include a provision
requiring the parties to keep the administrator informed of:
(a) The
name and address of the party’s current employer;
(b) Whether
or not the party has access to appropriate health care coverage, and if so, the
health care coverage policy information.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 25.396; 25.427, 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.372, 25.427, 656.234, 657.780 & 657.855

Hist.:
AFS 4-1990, f. 1-18-90, cert. ef. 2-1-90; AFS 14-1990, f. & cert. ef. 6-7-90;
AFS 29-1992, f. 10-8-92, cert. ef. 11-1-92; AFS 7-1994, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-94;
AFS 12-1994, f. 6-28-94, cert. ef. 7-1-94; AFS 20-1995, f. 8-30-95, cert. ef. 9-9-95;
AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef.
12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0175; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03
thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4060; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef.
10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4060;DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ
1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 8-2007,
f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-4080
Exceptions to Income
Withholding
(1) An exception
to income withholding may be granted in any case as set out in ORS 25.396.
(2) The
administrator may allow payment by EFT as an exception to income withholding if:
(a) The
obligee consents to payment by EFT; or
(b) The
only payee on the case is a child attending school (CAS) under ORS 107.108 and OAR
137-055-5110, and the CAS consents to payment by EFT;
(c) The
obligor submits a completed request for payment by EFT on a form provided by the
Division of Child Support (DCS); and
(d) The
obligor continues to pay the amount due for current support each month until DCS
activates the EFT.
(3) If
payment by EFT is allowed as provided in section (2) of this rule, payment by EPW
may be allowed only if:
(a) The
obligor’s financial institution is a participant in the National Automated
Clearinghouse Association;
(b) The
request for EPW:
(A) Is
signed by all signatories to the obligor’s account at the financial institution;
and
(B) Establishes
a monthly withdrawal date, no later than the monthly support due date, and the amount
to be paid on each withdrawal date.
(4) Payment
by EPW will not be allowed if the order is a contingency order as provided in ORS
416.417, unless the child is in the care of the Oregon Youth Authority.
(5) If
the EFT request is approved, DCS will notify the parties by mail, including the
initial withdrawal date.
(6) An
obligor may make additional payments by EFT even if the obligor does not qualify
for an exception to withholding, as long as the obligor designates a withdrawal
date.
(7) The
administrator will not process a request to obtain consent to payment by EFT if
the obligee or child attending school has failed to consent at any time within the
previous six months.
(8) The
administrator will terminate income withholding when:
(a) There
is no longer a current order for support and all arrears have been paid or satisfied;
or
(b) The
court or administrator allows an exception to withholding pursuant to ORS 25.396
and this rule.
(9) The
administrator will reinstate income withholding and cancel payment by EFT if:
(a) At
least one month of arrears accrues;
(b) The
obligor cancels the request to pay by EFT; or
(c) The
obligee, or if appropriate, CAS, withdraws consent to the EFT and the administrator
agrees EFT should be canceled.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 25.396; 25.427, 180.345

Stats. Implemented:
ORS 25.378 & 25.396

Hist.:
AFS 7-1994, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-94; AFS 3-1995, f. 1-27-95, cer. ef. 2-1-95;
AFS 20-1995, f. 8-30-95, cert. ef. 9-9-95; AFS 3-1995, f. 1-27-95, cert. ef. 2-1-95;
AFS 34-1995, f. 11-27-95, cert. ef. 12-1-95; AFS 39-1995, f. & cert. ef. 12-15-95;
AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef.
12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0176; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4080;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4080; DOJ 2-2004,
f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 6-2011(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11 thru 12-27-11; DOJ 7-2011, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-11
137-055-4130
Reduced Income Withholding
(1) The administrator will set
an amount less than the amount prescribed by ORS 25.414 to be withheld if withholding
is only for arrears and the obligor demonstrates the withholding is prejudicial
to the obligor’s ability to provide for:
(a) A child the obligor has
a duty to support; or
(b) The obligor’s basic
needs.
(2) For the purposes of sections
(3) and (4) of this rule, “the obligor’s household” means the
obligor’s personal residence.
(3) In determining the obligor’s
basic needs and the number and basic needs of other persons living in the obligor’s
household, in addition to the factors outlined in ORS 25.414(5), the administrator
will consider:
(a) The obligor’s relationship
to the person, including but not limited to whether the person is a relative or
part of a domestic partnership with the obligor, as defined in ORS 106.310;
(b) Whether there is a duty
for the obligor to support the person under ORS 108.040, 108.045 or 109.010; and
(c) Whether the person has available
resources.
(4) In considering the basic
needs of the obligor and other persons living in the obligor’s household as
outlined in ORS 25.414(5), the administrator may require the obligor to provide
documentation, including but not limited to doctor’s statements, pay stubs,
tax return information, a uniform income statement form or other asset information.
The administrator also may require the obligor to provide documentation showing
that a person resides in the obligor’s household.
(5) An agreement for a reduced
amount of withholding may terminate and income withholding for the full amount allowable
by law may be reinstated, unless the obligor otherwise qualifies for an exception
pursuant to OAR 137-055-4080, when:
(a) According to the case record,
the obligor is out of compliance with the agreement; or
(b) The time period covered
by the agreement has expired.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.414, 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.414

Hist.: DOJ 14-2001, f. 12-28-01,
cert. ef. 1-2-02, DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 137-050-0605;
DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 16-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-3-05;
DOJ 5-2005, f. & cert. ef. 7-15-05; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ
8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-4160
Contested Income Withholding
(1) The only basis for contesting an order to withhold is a mistake of fact. A mistake of fact means either:
(a) An error in the amount due for current support or for arrears;
(b) An error in the identity of the obligor; or
(c) The order was entered prior to October 1, 1989, and does not include the immediate income withholding language.
(2) Payment of all arrears will not, by itself, be a basis for not implementing withholding.
(3) If the obligor is contesting the withholding on the basis of an error in the amount due for current support or arrears pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this rule, the obligor's contest must be in writing. The process for contesting a withholding will be as described in ORS 25.405.
(4) The administrator will notify all parties of the administrator's determination and of the right to appeal the determination.
(5) If an obligor contests an order to withhold issued by the administrator the Division of Child Support (DCS) will hold any funds collected pursuant to the withholding order, and will not distribute such funds to the obligee, or other payee, subject to the following:
(a) If the obligor contests the withholding on the basis of an error in the identity of the obligor, DCS will hold all payments collected pursuant to the withholding order until the administrator has made its determination;
(b) If the obligor contests the withholding on the basis of an error in the amount due for current and/or past-due support, DCS will hold all payments collected for past-due support pursuant to the withholding order, except for those amounts the obligor does not contest are owed, until the administrator has made its determination;
(c) Once the administrator has made its determination, and regardless of whether or not the determination is appealed to the court, DCS will:
(A) Refund to the obligor, all amounts so held that are determined to have been collected in error;
(B) Disburse, to the obligee or as otherwise appropriate, all amounts so held that are determined to have been collected correctly.
(6) Neither the initiation of proceedings to contest an order to withhold pursuant to this rule, nor a motion or request to contest an order to withhold, nor an appeal of the decision of the administrator with regard to the obligor's contesting of the order to withhold, will stay, postpone, or defer ongoing withholding unless otherwise ordered by a court.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.427 & 180.320 - 360

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.405

Hist.: AFS 4-1990, f. 1-18-90, cert. ef. 2-1-90; AFS 14-1990, f. & cert. ef. 6-7-90; AFS 7-1994, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-94; AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0181; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4160; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4160; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06
137-055-4210
Withholder Penalties
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 25.424, the provisions of this rule apply to a party’s request to bring an action to recover amounts pursuant to ORS 25.424, when a withholder has failed to properly withhold or pay.
(2) A party’s request may be verbal, but prior to commencing legal action, the party must provide the administrator with documentation of the withholder’s failure, which must include at least:
(a) A check stub or other pay document showing the amount not properly withheld or not paid, if the act alleged is improper withholding; or
(b) An affidavit or other sworn or affirmed statement describing the action taken by or omission of the withholder.
(3) Upon receipt of the document required by section (2) of this rule, the administrator may initiate legal action to recover amounts not withheld or paid under ORS 25.424, and, if appropriate, penalties.
(4) The administrator acts only as a facilitator to bring the action, and does not represent the party for whom the action is initiated.
(5) Nothing in this rule precludes a party from seeking damages, penalties and attorney fees as provided in ORS 25.424.
Stat. Auth: ORS 180.345

Stats Implemented: ORS 25.424

Hist.: DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10
137-055-4300
Support Enforcement by Methods Other than Income Withholding
(1) Income withholding, pursuant to OAR 137-055-4060 through 137-055-4180, will be the preferred method that the administrator will use to collect current and past-due support.
(2) If payment is not received in the amount of current support due for each month plus an amount toward any existing arrears, the administrator will pursue additional enforcement actions as specified under this rule.
(a) For purposes of this section, "additional enforcement actions" means actions in addition to income withholding under any of the following circumstances:
(b) The administrator will pursue additional enforcement actions where any of the following circumstances occurs:
(A) Collection by income withholding cannot be attained under OAR 137-055-4060 through 137-055-4180.
(B) Income withholding is collecting less than the amount of current support due for each month; or
(C) Income withholding is collecting the full amount of current support due for each month, but is collecting nothing toward arrears on the case.
(D) No current support is owed, and income withholding is collecting nothing toward arrears or the obligor is not paying a negotiated or agreed-upon amount toward arrears.
(c) All such enforcement actions will be in compliance with, and as appropriate under, state and federal law. The administrator will not initiate or take any action under this rule that is precluded or prohibited by state or federal law due to the circumstances of the individual case.
(d) The administrator will take such action within 30 calendar days of whichever of the following occurs later:
(A) Arrears have occurred; and
(B) The administrator has located the obligor, the obligor's employer, or other assets or sources of income, provided such information is sufficient to enable the next appropriate action on the case.
(e) If service of process is required before taking an enforcement action:
(A) Service must be completed or unsuccessful diligent attempts to serve process must be documented, and enforcement action must be initiated if process is served, no later than 60 calendar days of initially identifying arrears or of locating the obligor or the obligor's employer, assets, or other sources of income, whichever occurs later.
(B) If a court action is necessary, the requirement to initiate enforcement action within no later than 60 calendar days is met if the administrator has initiated action to enter the case with the court for a court hearing or action.
(f) The administrator is not required to perform those "additional enforcement actions" that the Oregon Child Support Program already provides automatically for every case meeting specified criteria. Further, a case does not necessarily need to meet the criteria for "additional enforcement actions", under section (2) of this rule, in order for the Oregon Child Support Program to automatically provide the enforcement methods under this subsection for every case meeting specified criteria. These enforcement methods include, but are not limited to:
(A) Interception of state and federal tax refunds, under OAR 137-055-4320 through 137-055-4340.
(B) Release of information to consumer credit reporting agencies, under OAR 137-055- 4560.
(g) If any enforcement action specified under this rule, whether by itself or in combination with collections attained through income withholding, results in collection of current support each month plus payments toward reducing any arrears that exists on a case, the administrator is not required to pursue further additional enforcement actions on that case. However, the administrator will resume pursuing additional enforcement actions if any of the circumstances under subsection (2)(b) of this rule subsequently occurs.
(3) The administrator will take additional enforcement action, under section (2) of this rule, by attempting to determine if the obligor has any income, property, assets, or resources from which support can be collected.
(a) The administrator will attempt this determination by utilizing any one or more of the following:
(A) Information about the obligor's location, employment, or other income or assets, that the administrator obtains from the obligee or from any other person. The administrator will respond to the obligee, in writing, by telephone, or in person, within 30 days of ascertaining whether or not information submitted by the obligee, on the obligee's own initiative, was accurate or useable.
(B) Information accessible or attainable through the Child Support Enforcement Automated System (CSEAS), or other electronic data sources
(C) Discovery methods, including financial disclosure exams, or written interrogatories, unless any of the following are true:
(i) The administrator has not located the obligor, and is therefore not able to pursue such methods.
(ii) The obligee has not asserted to the administrator, or the administrator has no reason to suspect, that the obligor has specific and verifiable income, property, resources, or assets against which the administrator may take effective action to collect support.
(iii) The administrator has located or verified the obligor's income, property, assets, or resources through other means, or otherwise can do so, and therefore does not need to rely on discovery methods.
(b) The administrator will document the case record with the following:
(A) The administrator's efforts to determine or verify if the obligor has property, assets, or resources, against which the administrator may take action to collect support.
(B) Actions the administrator takes to collect support against such property, assets, or resources.
(4) When the administrator determines that an obligor has income, property, assets, or resources against which enforcement action may be taken, the administrator will, in compliance with and as appropriate under other provisions of this rule and of state and federal law, take one or more of the following specific actions:
(a) Ask the court to require the obligor to post bond or security to ensure payment of support, unless the administrator has determined that:
(A) Based on the experiences of the administrator in its locality, a bond or security is not likely to be commercially available to the obligor for this purpose;
(B) The obligor is legally and financially unable to pay the cost of a bond or security;
(C) Such action cannot reasonably be expected to produce collections sufficient to justify the cost to the administrator;
(D) Any funds the obligor has to purchase a bond would be better applied to requiring the obligor to make payment for current or past-due support. However, on cases where current support is owed to the obligee or to a child attending school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110, and not assigned to the state, the obligee or child attending school must concur with this determination; or
(E) The obligor has taken action to purchase a bond or security without need for court action.
(b) File liens against real property or personal property that the obligor owns in Oregon, to the extent that a lien does not already exist under Oregon law, or take other effective actions to collect support from the value of such property such as by obtaining a writ of garnishment, unless the administrator has determined that:
(A) The obligor owns no property against which such action would be likely to produce a collection; or
(B) Such action cannot reasonably be expected to produce collections sufficient to justify the cost to the administrator.
(c) Garnish or attach other assets, or resources of the obligor, unless the administrator has determined that such action cannot reasonably be expected to produce collections sufficient to justify the cost to the administrator. In cases where such action will result in additional taxes or penalties to the obligor, the administrator may negotiate with the obligor to determine an amount the obligor will need to retain to pay such additional taxes or penalties.
(d) Pursue suspension of any license the obligor may have, to the extent permissible under state law and rules.
(e) Prosecute the obligor for contempt of court, subject to section (5) of this rule.
(f) Prosecute the obligor for criminal non-support, subject to section (5) of this rule.
(g) Refer the obligor for federal criminal prosecution under the Interstate Child Support Recovery Act, subject to section (5) of this rule.
(5) Prosecution for contempt of court or for criminal non-support, or referral of obligors for federal criminal prosecution under the Interstate Child Support Recovery Act, is subject to the prosecutorial discretion of the administrator.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: AFS 27-1994, f. & cert. ef. 11-10-94; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0200; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4300; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4300; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06
137-055-4320
Collection of Delinquent Support Obligations Through the Oregon Department of Revenue
(1) The administrator may claim Oregon tax refunds otherwise due to be paid to an obligor, to collect:
(a) Support arrears;
(b) Unpaid award amounts from any judgment entered against the obligor for birth expenses or for the cost of parentage tests to establish a child's paternity.
(2) The Division of Child Support (DCS) will file such claims with the Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) according to rules and procedures established by DOR.
(3) Referral of arrears will be a liquidated claim, debt, or account established by a court or administrative order.
(4) DCS will not refer any case where the case record indicates that one or more of the following is applicable:
(a) The arrears are less than $25;
(b) The obligee has claimed "good cause" for not cooperating with efforts to establish or enforce support.
(5) DCS will distribute and, as appropriate, disburse tax refunds recovered by this process as set out in OARs 137-055-2360, 137-055-2380 and 137-055-6021 through 137-055-6024.
(6) DCS will send an advance written notice to the parties of the intent to claim the tax refund and apply it to the obligor's account. The notice will advise of the obligors right to an administrative review of the proposed action. The only issues that may be considered in the review are:
(a) Whether the obligor is the person who owes the support as indicated by the case record; or
(b) Whether the arrears indicated in the notice are correct.
(7) Upon receipt of the request for review, the administrator will schedule the review and notify the parties of the date, time and place of the review.
(8) At any time any refund is claimed, DOR will send by regular mail written notice to the obligor of the intention to apply the tax refund to the obligor's delinquent account. The notice will advise the obligor of the right to an administrative hearing regarding this action that:
(a) The obligor, within 30 days from the date of this notice, may request an administrative hearing before an administrative law judge;
(b) The request for hearing must be in writing.
(9) No hearing will be held if the obligor, after having been given due notice of rights to a hearing, has failed to exercise such rights in a timely manner as specified in the notice.
(10) No issues may be considered at the administrative hearing that have been litigated previously or where the obligor failed to exercise rights to appear and be heard or to appeal a decision which resulted in the accrual of the arrears.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.610 & 293.250

Hist.: AFS 13-1978, f. & ef. 4-4-78; AFS 23-1987(Temp), f. 6-19-87, ef. 7-1-87; AFS 60-1987, f. & ef. 11-4-87; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0004; AFS 25-1990, f. 11-21-90, cert. ef. 12-1-90; AFS 30-1995, f. 11-6-95, cert. ef. 11-15-95; AFS 7-1997, f. & cert. ef. 6-13-97; AFS 6-2000, f. 2-19-00, cert. ef. 3-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0205; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4320; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4320; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07
137-055-4340
Collection of Delinquent Support Obligations Through the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
(1) The administrator may claim federal tax refunds and administrative offset of other payments from the federal government through the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) otherwise due to be paid to an obligor to collect support arrears.
(2) The Division of Child Support (DCS) will file such claims with the Secretary according to rules and procedures established by the federal government.
(3) Referral of arrears will be a liquidated claim, debt, or account established by a court or administrative order.
(4) DCS will not refer any case for federal tax refund or administrative offset where the case record indicates that one or more of the following is applicable:
(a) The arrears assigned to the state are less than $150 and the support amount is less than 45 days delinquent;
(b) The arrears are less than $500 on a case where none of the arrears have been assigned to the state; or
(c) The obligee has claimed "good cause" for not cooperating with efforts to establish or enforce support.
(5) DCS will distribute and, as appropriate, disburse tax refunds and other federal administrative offsets recovered by this process as set out in OARs 137-055-2360, 137-055-2380 and 137-055-6021 through 137-055-6024.
(6) A one-time pre-offset notice will be sent to the parties by either the federal government or DCS of the intent to claim the tax refund, or other federal payments through the Secretary, and apply them to the obligor's account. Such notice will advise the parties of the obligors right to an administrative review regarding this action. The only issues that may be considered in the review are:
(a) Whether the obligor is the person who owes the support as indicated by the case record; or
(b) Whether the arrears indicated in the notice are correct.
(7) Upon receipt of the request for review, the administrator will schedule the review and notify the parties of the date, time and place of the review.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.625, 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.625

Hist.: AFS 7-1997, f. & cert. ef. 6-13-97; AFS 15-1997(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-2-97; AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 6-2000, f. 2-19-00, cert. ef. 3-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0210; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4340; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4340; DOJ 4-2005, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-05; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07
137-055-4360
Internal Revenue Service Full Collection Services
(1) For the purpose of this rule, "Regional Representative" means the Region X office of the Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Child Support Enforcement.
(2) The administrator may request Internal Revenue Service Full Collection Service on behalf of a given case.
(3) For a case to be eligible for Full Collection Service, all of the following conditions must apply:
(a) There must be a court or administrative order for payment of child support;
(b) The amount to be collected under the support order must be at least $750 in arrears;
(c) At least six months must have elapsed since the case was last submitted for Full Collection Service;
(d) The administrator, the obligee, or the obligee's representative must have made reasonable efforts to collect the support by using the state's standard collection procedures. These actions may include all of the following when deemed reasonable and cost-effective:
(A) Orders to withhold income;
(B) Orders to withhold Unemployment Compensation or Worker's Compensation benefits;
(C) Garnishments against liquid assets such as bank accounts, inheritance assets, lottery winnings, or any other liquid assets that may be garnished under state law;
(D) Interception of federal and state tax refunds;
(E) Credit bureau reporting;
(F) Initiating reciprocal support enforcement action with other states;
(G) Filing liens against real property the obligor may own in order to collect past-due support;
(H) Suspension of occupational license(s) the obligor may have to the extent permissible under state law and rules;
(I) Discovery methods, including financial disclosure exams or written interrogatories;
(J) Prosecution for contempt of court or criminal nonsupport.
(4) All requests must be submitted in the manner and form prescribed by the Regional Representative and must include the following:
(a) Sufficient information to identify the obligor, including the obligor's name and social security number and, the obligor's home address and place of employment, including the source of this information and the date this information was last verified;
(b) A copy of all court or administrative orders for support;
(c) A statement of the amount owed under the support order(s), including a statement of whether the amount is in lieu of, or in addition to, amounts previously referred to the Internal Revenue Service for collection;
(d) A statement that the administrator, the obligee, or the obligee's representative has made reasonable efforts to collect the amount owed using the state's standard collection procedures. The statement must describe the collection actions that have been taken, why they failed, and why further state action would be unproductive;
(e) The dates of any previous requests for referral of the case to the Internal Revenue Service for collection;
(f) A statement that the administrator agrees to reimburse the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) for the established fee for paying the costs of collection;
(g) A statement that the administrator has reason to believe that the obligor has assets that the Secretary might levy to collect the support, including a statement of the nature and location of the assets, if known.
(5) Each request for Full Collection Service will be reviewed by the Regional Representative to determine whether it meets federal requirements. The administrator will cooperate with the Regional Representative in attempting to correct any deficiencies.
(6) The administrator must immediately notify the Regional Representative of the following changes in case status:
(a) The amount due;
(b) The nature or location of the obligor's assets;
(c) The address of the obligor.
(7) The administrator will be responsible for paying the fee established under subsection (4)(f) of this rule.
(8) The administrator will recover the fee amount it has paid on any case under section (7) of this rule, from the amount of any collection subsequently attained by the Internal Revenue Service and forwarded to the Division of Child Support in accordance with OAR 137-055-6021.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Statute Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: AFS 31-1989, f. 6-6-89, cert. ef. 6-9-89; AFS 51-1989, f. 8-25-89, cert. ef. 9-1-89; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0655; AFS 11-1990, f. 3-27-90, cert. ef. 4-1-90; AFS 20-1996, f. 5-24-96, cert. ef. 6-1-96; AFS 6-2000, f. 2-19-00, cert. ef. 3-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0225; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4360; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4360; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07
137-055-4420
License Suspension for Child Support
(1) For the purposes of this rule, "license" means any of the licenses, certificates, permits or registrations that a person is required by state law to possess in order to engage in an occupation or profession, all annual licenses issued to individuals by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, all driver licenses and permits issued by the Department of Transportation under ORS Chapter 807, and all permanent and fee-based annual hunting and fishing licenses issued by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
(2) The administrator may begin the process to suspend an obligor’s licenses if:
(a) The obligor has an order or judgment to pay child support, regardless of whether that order or judgment is currently accruing support;
(b) The administrator is providing services on the case pursuant to ORS 25.080;
(c) The obligor owes arrears in an amount equal to the greater of three months of support or $2500;
(d) The obligor and administrator have not entered into an agreement as described in section (10), or there is an agreement but the obligor is not in compliance with the agreement; and
(e) The obligor has not made voluntary payments, or payments by income withholding, in each of the last three months greater than the current support amount, or if there is no longer an order or judgment for current support, equal to the amount of the most recent order for current support. This criterion does not apply to payments resulting from garnishment, tax offset, or any other enforcement action other than income withholding;
(3) The administrator will consider the obligor’s employment and payment history, the obligor’s current ability to pay, the likely benefit to the child, and any other pertinent factor in determining whether to initiate or continue the license suspension process.
(4) The administrator will begin the license suspension process by giving written notice to the obligor by regular mail. The administrator will notify any other parties that the action has begun. If the issuing agency or agencies have addresses listed for the obligor other than the address in the administrator’s records, the administrator will send copies of the notice to the address in the administrator’s records and to each address in the records of the agencies holding licenses. The notice to the obligor will specify:
(a) The obligor’s name, Social Security number, if available, and date of birth, if known;
(b) The license(s) subject to suspension, and a statement that any license not specified in the notice will also be subject to suspension without a separate notice;
(c) The obligor’s child support case number(s);
(d) The basis for the suspension, including amount of the arrears and the amount of the monthly support obligation(s), if any;
(e) The procedure and grounds for contesting the suspension;
(f) A statement that the obligor can prevent suspension of the license(s) by entering into and complying with an agreement with the administrator; and
(g) A statement that unless the obligor contacts the administrator within 30 days of the date of the notice and contests the license suspension or enters into an agreement, the administrator may notify the issuing agency or agencies to suspend the license(s) without further notice.
(5) The obligor may contest the suspension within 30 days of the notice described in section (4) of this rule only on the grounds that:
(a) The obligor owes arrears less than or equal to the greater of three months of support or $2,500; or
(b) There is a mistake in the obligor’s identity.
(6) Any of the following events ends the license suspension process. The administrator will stop all license suspension action and notify the issuing agency to release any license already suspended, subject to that agency’s requirements, if, on timely receipt of a contest from the obligor under section (5), on the obligor’s subsequent request for a review of the case, or at any time upon review of the case, the administrator determines that:
(a) The administrator is no longer providing services under ORS 25.080;
(b) The obligor owes arrears less than or equal to the greater of three months of support or $2,500;
(c) The individual whose license(s) are to be suspended is not the obligor who owes the support arrears that are the basis for the suspension;
(7) If the obligor contests license suspension under section (5), the administrator will make a determination based on the criteria in section (6) and notify the parties in writing of the determination. If the administrator determines that the suspension process will continue, the obligor may object within 30 days of the date of the administrator’s determination by requesting an administrative hearing. Upon receipt of the hearing request, the administrator will take no further action to suspend pending receipt of the hearing order.
(8) Not less than thirty days after issuing the notice that the obligor’s license is subject to suspension, as described in section (4), the administrator will review the case. If the case continues to qualify for suspension, and no contest has been received from the obligor, the administrator may notify the issuing agency to suspend the obligor’s license(s).
(9) If an obligor holds more than one license, any determination regarding suspension of one license is sufficient to suspend any other license.
(10) The administrator may enter into an agreement with the obligor, the obligor’s compliance with which will preclude suspension of the obligor’s license.
(a) The standard monthly payment amount for a compliance agreement is the amount that could be obtained through income withholding under ORS 25.414. In determining this amount, the obligor’s actual earnings will be used, but no less than the equivalent of full-time work at Oregon minimum wage. An agreement under this subsection may be for any period of time agreed to by the administrator and obligor.
(b) If the obligor demonstrates inability to pay the full amount described in subsection (10)(a), the administrator may agree to a temporary hardship exception for a lesser amount, including, where appropriate, no amount. The administrator may condition the hardship exception on receipt of a modification request from the obligor, including any evidence needed to substantiate the request. A hardship exception may also require that the obligor take specific steps to enhance the obligor’s ability to pay, such as job search, job training or substance abuse treatment. A hardship exception under this subsection may be for no longer than six months. At the end of the hardship period, the agreement must automatically change to a standard payment amount under subsection (10)(a). However, at the end of the hardship period, the administrator may agree to a subsequent hardship exception under this subsection if the administrator determines such an exception remains appropriate.
(11) Any agreement entered into under section (10) must include:
(a) The amount and due date of the payment. The due date in the payment agreement is solely for the purposes of the license suspension process and does not affect the monthly due date in the support order;
(b) If the agreement is based on a hardship exception under subsection (10)(b), a standard payment amount determined under subsection (10)(a) that will automatically go into effect at the end of the specified hardship exception period;
(c) The duration of the agreement, including the duration of the subsequent payment agreement if the initial agreement is based on a hardship exception under subsection (10)(b) of this rule;
(d) A statement that payments may be made through income withholding;
(e) A statement that failure to comply with the agreement may result in immediate notification to the issuing agency to suspend the license(s) without further notice to the obligor;
(f) A statement that the agreement may be terminated if the support order or judgment is modified;
(g) A statement that the administrator may terminate the agreement and suspend the license at any time if the obligor fails to comply with the agreement, if the obligor’s income changes, or if the obligor has under-reported income;
(h) A statement that the obligor’s compliance with the agreement does not preclude any enforcement action by the administrator other than license suspension, and that other collection actions will continue to occur;
(i) A statement that the obligor is required to inform the administrator within 10 days of any change in employment;
(j) A statement that information provided by the obligor may be used for other enforcement actions, including contempt actions; and
(k) The signatures of the obligor and the administrator.
(12) When the administrator enters into an agreement with the obligor, the administrator will send courtesy copies of the agreement to the parties on the case.
(13) If the obligor complies with the agreement, the administrator will not notify the issuing agency to suspend the obligor’s license(s), or, if the license has already been suspended, the administrator will notify the issuing agency to reinstate the license.
(14) If the obligor fails to comply with an agreement, the administrator may notify the issuing agency to suspend the obligor’s license(s). The administrator will notify the parties to the case that the action has been taken. If the obligor has complied with the agreement for at least one year and then stops complying, the administrator will send the obligor written notice 30 days prior to issuing the notice to suspend to provide the opportunity for the obligor to comply.
(15) If an obligor has more than one child support case, the Child Support Program Director or designee will determine and assign a single branch office that will be responsible for services relating to that obligor under this rule. Any enforcement services other than license suspension will be provided by the office(s) otherwise assigned to the obligor's case(s).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.750 - 25.785 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.750 - 25.783

Hist.: AFS 11-1994, f. & cert. ef. 6-3-94; AFS 22-1994, f. 9-27-94, cert. ef. 10-1-94; AFS 26-1995, f. 10-20-95, cert. ef. 10-23-95; AFS 18-1996, f. & cert. ef. 5-10-96: AFS 37-1996, f. & cert. ef. 11-20-96; AFS 21-1997, f. & cert. ef. 11-7-97; AFS 13-1998, f. 8-21-98, cert. ef. 8-24-98; AFS 2-2000, f. 1-28-00, cert. ef. 2-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0233; AFS 2-2001, f. 1-31-01, cert. ef. 2-1-01; AFS 1-2002, f. 1-25-02, cert. ef. 2-1-02; AFS 9-2002, f. 6-26-02, cert. ef. 7-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4420; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4420; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10
137-055-4440
Liens Against Personal
and Real Property
(1) A judgment for support constitutes
a lien on real and personal property as provided for in Oregon law.
(2) Whenever there is a judgment
for unpaid support and the administrator learns that an obligor has assets, then
the administrator may cause a lien to be recorded on any real or personal property
owned by the obligor unless the property is exempt from lien laws under Oregon law.
(3) An obligee from another
state with a judgment for unpaid support may record a lien under the provisions
of ORS 18.158, and must use the form provided by the Office of Child Support Enforcement
of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
(4) Pursuant to OAR 137-055-4300(3),
the administrator may use the process described in this rule as one of several enforcement
options available and may exercise discretion to optimize collection potential in
individual cases. The administrator will prioritize this enforcement option in decision
making based on availability and application of other enforcement options and available
staff resources. Prior to forcing a sale of real or personal property, the administrator
must consider the following factors:
(a) The market value of the
property after subtracting the value of superior claims of senior lien holders;
(b) The market conditions for
achieving maximum return;
(c) The long-term impact on
the obligor's ability to comply with an unsatisfied or future support duty;
(d) The storage costs, notice
and sale costs;
(e) Exemption claims;
(f) Co-ownership of the property,
or impact on any existing trust on the property; and
(g) The availability of other,
more effective remedies to satisfy the support debt.
(5) The administrator may not
proceed with this enforcement option when a court of appropriate jurisdiction has
ordered that the obligor be exempted from referral. The obligor must notify the
obligee and the administrator when filing a claim for an exemption with a court.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345 &
18.150

Stats. Implemented: ORS 18.158,
25.670 & 25.690

Hist.: AFS 25-1990, f. 11-21-90,
cert. ef. 12-1-90; AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00,
cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0235; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert.
ef. 1-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered
from 461-200-4440; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4440;
DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-4450
Expiration and Release of Judgment Liens
(1) When a judgment of the court or administrative order containing a money or support award is filed with the court administrator, it creates a judgment lien on all property owned by the obligor in the county where it is filed.
(a) A money award for past support or any lump sum support award will attach to all real property of the judgment debtor immediately upon entry of the judgment.
(b) A support award will not attach until it becomes an unpaid installment pursuant to section (2) of this rule.
(2) When an installment becomes due under the terms of a support award and is not paid a support arrearage lien attaches:
(a) To all real property of the judgment debtor in the county where the judgment is filed; and
(b) To any property acquired in that county by the judgment debtor after that date.
(3) A support arrearage lien remains attached to real property until:
(a) The judgment lien expires; or
(b) The judgment lien is released for a single piece of real property or all real property of the judgment debtor in that county; or
(c) Satisfaction is made for the unpaid installment(s).
(4) A judgment lien created as a result of a child support or money award for unpaid child support installments expires as provided in ORS 18.180.
(5) A judgment lien created as a result of a support award for spousal support expires as provided in ORS 18.180.
(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections (4) and (5), judgment remedies which expired before January 4, 2010, remain expired.
(7) An obligee may authorize the State of Oregon to release a lien against real property of an obligor when the obligee has submitted a signed and notarized lien release form to the administrator.
(8) If a release of lien is filed for all real property of the judgment debtor in a county, a judgment lien may be reinstated as provided in ORS Chapter 18.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 18.005 - 18.845

Hist.: DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10
137-055-4455
Expiration of Support Judgment Remedies
(1) Judgment
remedies for the child support award portion of a judgment, and any lump sum money
award for unpaid child support
installments, expire 35 years after the entry of the judgment that first establishes
the support obligation.
(2) Notwithstanding any
other provisions of this rule, when the child support judgment being enforced was
issued by another jurisdiction, the expiration of judgment under the laws of this
state or of the issuing jurisdiction, whichever is longer, applies.
(3) Spousal
support judgments entered on or after January 1, 2004: Judgment remedies for any
unpaid installment under the spousal support award portion of a judgment, expire
the later of:
(a) 25
years after entry of the judgment that first establishes the support obligation;
or
(b) 10
years after an installment comes due under the judgment and is not paid.
(4) Spousal
support judgments entered prior to January 1, 2004: Judgment remedies for any unpaid
installment under the spousal support award portion of a judgment, expire the later
of:
(a) 25
years after entry of the judgment that first establishes the support obligation;
or
(b) 10
years after an installment comes due under the judgment and is not paid; or
(c) 10
years from the date of a judgment renewal.
(5) The
judgment remedies for a money award for child or spousal support expire by operation
of law.
(6) The
Department of Justice, Division of Child Support (DCS) is responsible for completing
expiration of judgment audits on cases receiving support enforcement services under
ORS 25.080.
(7) If
an audit result is that the expired judgment amount is greater than the current
arrears on the case, DCS will reduce the case arrears to zero.
(8) When
an expiration of judgment audit is completed, DCS will notify the parties if there
is any change to the arrears as a result of the audit. The notice must include:
(a) The
current balance or zero, as appropriate, per section (7) of this rule;
(b) Information
that a party may make a written request for an administrative review within 30 days
of the notice.
(9) If
a party requests an administrative review, DCS will:
(a) Conduct
the administrative review within 45 days from the date of receiving the objection
to verify the case was adjusted correctly and make any necessary corrections or
adjustments as determined in the review;
(b) Notify
both the obligee and the obligor, in writing, of the results of the review and of
the right to appeal pursuant to ORS 183.484.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 18.180 - 18.194

Hist.:
AFS 15-2001, f. 7-31-01, cert. ef. 8-1-01; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef.
7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6110; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert.
ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6110; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04;
Renumbered from 137-055-6110, DOJ 5-2005, f. & cert. ef. 7-15-05; DOJ 1-2010,
f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11;
DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-4460
Posting Security Bond or Other Guarantee of Payment of Overdue Support
(1) Whenever there is a judgment for unpaid support, the administrator may ask the court to require the obligor to post security, bond, or some other guarantee to secure payment of the overdue support if the following criteria also exist:
(a) The obligor has a poor payment history; and
(b) The obligor has assets which exceed the amount of the support arrears and the arrears cannot be reached by any other means.
(2) The administrator shall include in the Motion to Show Cause, a section notifying the obligor of the intent to ask the court for security, bond, or some other guarantee of payment. This statement shall constitute advance notice to the obligor of such intent and shall provide the obligor the opportunity to contest the action.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of section (1) of this rule, use of this procedure shall be considered inappropriate if the administrator determines:
(a) It is unlikely that the obligor would be able to secure a bond;
(b) The obligor is unable to pay child support, pursuant to ORS 25.245; or
(c) A court of appropriate jurisdiction has ordered that the obligor be exempted from referral due to hardship circumstances. The obligor must notify the obligee and the administrator when filing a claim for hardship exemption with a court.
Stat. Auth.: Sec. 2, ch. 73 OL 2003

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.230 & ORS 25.715

Hist.: AFS 25-1990, f. 11-21-90, cert. ef. 12-1-90; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0237; AFS 5-2001, f. 3-30-01, cert. ef. 4-1-01; AFS 15-2001, f. 7-31-01, cert. ef. 8-1-01; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4460; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4460
137-055-4500
Financial Institution Data Match -- Reasonable Fee
(1) This rule defines "reasonable fees" which the Child Support Program (CSP) will pay to financial institutions for implementing and conducting computerized data matches under ORS 25.640 through 25.646. Appropriations to implement the computerized data matches included federal matching funds; therefore, the CSP is required to follow the general principles for determining allowable costs as provided in OMB Circular No. A-87.
(2) Reasonable fee means direct costs only as defined in OMB Circular No. A-87 and shall be limited to those expenses. Reasonable fee shall not include any indirect costs.
(3) Direct costs mean those expenses that are of a type that would generally be recognized as ordinary and necessary to establish and conduct a data match, such as:
(a) Compensation of employees time specifically related to the establishing and conducting the data match;
(b) Computer system expenses specifically related to establishing and conducting the data match;
(c) Costs of material acquired, consumed or expended specifically for the purpose of establishing and conducting the data match;
(d) Necessary travel expenses and similar expenses directly associated with establishing and conducting the data match.
Stat. Auth.: Sec. 2, ch. 73 OL 2003

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.643

Hist.: AFS 20-1998, f. & cert. ef. 10-5-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1098; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4500; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4500
137-055-4520
Garnishment
(1) The administrator may utilize
garnishment proceedings in accordance with ORS Chapter 18 for the purpose of collecting
past due support.
(2)(a) When the administrator
receives a collection from a garnishment proceeding, the Division of Child Support
(DCS) will hold the collection for 40 days if the garnishee is making a payment
of other than wages or 120 days if the garnishee is making a payment of wages before
disbursing any amounts due a party from the collection.
(b) This requirement is to accommodate
the possibility that the administrator may have to return funds from the collection
to the garnishee, the obligor, or the court, as a result of the obligor or any person
who has an interest in the garnished property having made a challenge to garnishment
in accordance with ORS chapter 18.
(c) The administrator will waive
this requirement to hold the collection, and will apply the collection to the case
for immediate distribution, in any case where the obligor provides the administrator
with a signed and notarized statement expressly waiving the right to make a challenge
to garnishment and requesting that the administrator apply, distribute and, as appropriate,
disburse the payment immediately.
(3) Upon notice of a challenge
to garnishment from the clerk of the court, the administrator will file a response
to the challenge to garnishment, attaching copies of the writ of garnishment, garnishee
response, debt calculation and any supporting documentation necessary or helpful
to the court in making a determination of the challenge to garnishment.
(4) When a single writ of garnishment
is issued for two or more cases as provided in ORS 18.645, notice of a challenge
to garnishment is received and the administrator files the response required by
section (3), the administrator will include copies of all judgments for which the
writ is issued and a debt calculation for each referenced judgment.
(5) When the contents of a bank
account are garnished and the obligor makes a timely challenge to garnishment that
claims that all or some portion of the contents of the account came from lump sum
payments identified in ORS 18.345, the administrator may return to the obligor the
exempt portion of such lump sum payments received from that account, as appropriate.
(6) When the garnishee is a credit union, the credit union
may retain the par value of the garnished account, defined as the face value of
an individual credit union share necessary to maintain a customer's membership.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020; 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 18.345,
18.645, 25.020 & 25.080

Hist.: AFS 28-1996, f. &
cert. ef. 7-1-96; AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 2-2000, f. 1-28-00,
cert. ef. 2-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0238;
AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; AFS 15-2002, f. 10-30-02, ef. 11-1-02;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4520;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4520; DOJ 2-2004,
f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 8-2007, f.
9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-4540
Passport Denial and Release
(1) When the
administrator submits delinquent child support accounts for administrative offset
pursuant to OAR 137-055-4340, the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE)
will select individual obligors with a total delinquency in excess of $2,500 for
passport denial.
(2) Passport
denial means that pursuant to 42 U.S. Code 652(k), the United States Secretary of
State will refuse to issue a passport and may revoke, restrict or limit a passport
which was previously issued.
(3) The
parties will receive notice of passport denial with the notice of administrative
offset specified in OAR 137-055-4340. The notice will advise the parties of the
right to an administrative review under OAR 137-055-4340.
(4) An
obligor whose passport has been denied may request an administrative review. The
administrator will conduct a review and notify the parties of the decision. The
only issues that may be considered in the review are whether:
(a) The
administrator erroneously submitted the obligor to OCSE for passport denial, such
as mistaken identity or an error in recordkeeping or accounting;
(b) The
obligor has provided documentation of a life or death situation involving an immediate
family member, as defined by OCSE; or
(c) The
obligor has paid as ordered, but the arrearage that caused the case to be submitted
for passport denial resulted solely from one or more orders for past support or
upward modifications filed in court within one year of the administrator’s
receipt of the request for review.
(5) If
at any time the administrator finds that the obligor qualifies for passport release
under one or more of the criteria in subsections (4)(a) through (4)(c), the administrator
will notify OCSE to release the passport.
(6) Passport
denial will continue until the delinquency is paid in full, unless the administrator
determines the obligor qualifies for passport release under this rule.
(7) Where
a passport has been denied and the obligor has paid the delinquency in full or the
administrator determines the obligor qualifies for passport release under this rule,
the administrator will notify OCSE to release the passport. Notice will be by the
process specified by OCSE.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 25.625 & 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.625

Hist.:
AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-9; AFS 15-2000, f. 5-31-00, cert. ef. 6-1-00;
AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0234; AFS 2-2001,
f. 1-31-01, cert. ef. 2-1-01; AFS 15-2001, f. 7-31-01, cert. ef. 8-1-01; DOJ 6-2003(Temp),
f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4540; DOJ 10-2003,
f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4540; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 6-2006,
f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 13-2008, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-08; DOJ 3-2011(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-4560
Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies
(1) The Division of Child Support (DCS) may enter into agreements with consumer reporting agencies to disclose information under section (2) of this rule only to an entity that has furnished evidence satisfactory for DCS to determine that the entity is a consumer reporting agency as defined in ORS 25.650. Under these agreements, DCS will provide such agencies with the names of obligors who owe past due support and will indicate the specific amount each obligor owes. Under these agreements, DCS will provide such information:
(a) Whether or not the agency has requested information on any specific obligor; and
(b) On a recurring or periodic basis.
(2) Before issuing a periodic report to a consumer reporting agency with information on any obligor, the DCS will provide the parties with advance notice of the intent to report the obligor's support balance to the consumer reporting agencies. The notice will be sent to the parties’ last known addresses. The notice must:
(a) Indicate the balance to be reported to the consumer reporting agencies;
(b) Advise that the current balance will be reported to the consumer reporting agencies on a recurring basis without sending further notice to the parties;
(c) Advise of the obligor’s right to contest the action within 30 calendar days of the date of the notice.
(d) Explain the process for contesting and advise that objections must be in writing on the form provided with the notice;
(e) Advise that the only reasons for contesting credit reporting are:
(A) The obligor is not the person who owes the support balance shown on the case record;
(B) The support balance indicated in the notice is incorrect; or
(C) The arrears are a result of past support created in an order under ORS 416.422 or 109.155(4) or by an upward modification of an order.
(3) If the obligor does not contest the action within the allowed 30-day period, DCS will release the information to the consumer reporting agencies.
(4) If the obligor contests the balance indicated in the notice the administrator will conduct an administrative review on the case and mail the results of the review to the parties.
(5) Once the administrative review is complete, DCS will release the information to the consumer reporting agencies except as specified in section (12) of this rule.
(6) Parties may contest the administrator’s review and determination as provided in ORS 183.484.
(7) If the obligee or child attending school, contests the balance in the notice, the obligee or child attending school, may initiate an arrears establishment request pursuant to OAR 137-055-3240.
(8) If a court or agency of appropriate jurisdiction determines the balance owing is other than previously reported, DCS will update the consumer reporting agencies with the court's or agency’s findings within 10 days after receiving a copy of the final order.
(9) If at any time an obligor contacts DCS in writing to state that the information that has been reported to the consumer reporting agency is incorrect, the administrator must, within 30 days of receiving notification of the dispute:
(a) Provide notice to the consumer reporting agency and the parties that the information is being disputed;
(b) Conduct an administrative review of the case; and
(c) Provide the results of the review to the parties and the consumer reporting agency.
(10) Notwithstanding section (9), the administrator will not conduct an administrative review of the reported information more than once in any calendar year, unless an obligor presents new supporting documentation, to the administrator, that information reported to the consumer reporting agency is incorrect.
(11) When consumer reporting agencies ask DCS for information regarding the balance an obligor owes on a support case, DCS may provide available information after complying with the requirements of sections (1) through (8) of this rule. DCS will not charge the requesting agency a fee for this information.
(12) DCS may refer to the consumer reporting agencies, the name and support balance of all obligors who meet the criteria of sections (1) or (11) of this rule unless:
(a) The obligor pays the support balance in full;
(b) The obligor is found to not be the person who owes the child support balance indicated by the case record; or
(c) The administrator determines that the obligor is not delinquent in the payment of support.
(13) When DCS has made a report to a consumer reporting agency under section (1) of this rule, DCS will promptly notify the consumer reporting agency when the case record shows that the obligor no longer owes past due support.
(14) If paternity has been established and a consumer report is needed for the purpose of establishing, modifying or enforcing a child support order, the administrator may request that a consumer reporting agency provide a report. At least 10 days prior to making a request for such report, the administrator must notify, by certified mail, the obligor or obligee whose report is requested that the report will be requested.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345;

Other Auth.: 15 USC § 1681b

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.650

Hist.: AFS 79-1985(Temp), f. & ef. 12-26-85; AFS 22-1986, f. & ef. 3-4-86; AFS 12-1989, f. 3-27-89, cert. ef. 4-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0051; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0670; AFS 11-1990, f. 3-27-90, cert. ef. 4-1-90; AFS 25-1990, f. 11-21-90, cert. ef. 12-1-90; AFS 7-1996, f. 2-22-96, cert. ef. 4-1-96; AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 18-2000, f. & cert. ef. 7-12-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0230; AFS 15-2002, f. 10-30-02, ef. 11-1-02; SSP 15-2003, f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 6-30-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4560; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4560; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04; DOJ 9-2005, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 6-2008, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-08
137-055-4620
Enforcing Health Care Coverage and Cash Medical Support
(1) If services
are being provided pursuant to ORS 25.080 and private health care coverage is ordered
the administrator will issue a medical support notice to enforce orders for health
care coverage within two business days of receiving information that an employer
has hired or rehired a providing party, as defined in 25.321, or at any time when
the administrator determines it is necessary; and
(a) An obligor
or obligee is ordered to provide appropriate health care coverage for a child as
required by ORS 25.321, OAR 137-050-0750;
(b) The providing
party has failed to provide appropriate health care coverage, either personally
or through a spouse’s or domestic partner’s coverage; and
(c) The employer
offers or may offer a health benefit plan to its employees.
(2) Notwithstanding
the provisions of section (1), if the party ordered to provide appropriate health
care coverage is an active duty or retired member of the military, the administrator
will not issue a medical support notice to the military.
(3) If the
conditions in section (2) apply:
(a) The administrator
will inform the obligee, if the obligee is not the providing party, of the process
to initiate military health care coverage enrollment for the dependent child; and
(b) If the
medical child support rights for the dependent child are currently assigned to the
state, the administrator will require either party to make all reasonable efforts
to enroll the child in military health care coverage.
(4) When
a medical support notice has been served and the providing party is not enrolled
in a health benefit plan or is not enrolled in a plan that offers dependent coverage
that is available pursuant to ORS 25.323, and if more than one plan is offered,
the administrator will select a plan in accordance with OAR 137-055-4640.
(5) A party
can contest the medical support notice as set out in ORS 25.333.
(6) When
the administrator is notified that the amount to be withheld for premiums is greater
than is permissible under ORS 25.331 the administrator will review the circumstances
and, if appropriate, activate contingent medical support provisions, or move to
modify the order to comply with the child support guidelines.
(7) When
an employer notifies the administrator that the amount to be withheld for the health
care coverage premium is greater than permissible under ORS 25.331:
(a) An obligee
who is a recipient of TANF cash assistance may not elect to receive health care
coverage over monetary child support. In these cases, the administrator will select
monetary child support over health care coverage unless health care coverage would
be in the best interests of the child.
(b)(A) Except
as provided in section (7)(b)(B), an obligee, who is not a recipient of TANF cash
assistance and who selects health care coverage over monetary child support, may
change the selection:
(i) No more
than once per year;
(ii) In conjunction
with a medical support notice being issued to a new employer; or
(iii) When
a child becomes seriously ill and health care coverage is needed.
(B) An obligee
who is not a recipient of TANF cash assistance may not select health care coverage
over monetary child support if such a selection conflicts with the requirements
of any bankruptcy plan.
(8) A request
to select health care coverage over monetary child support may be made verbally
or in writing.
(9) When
multiple cases for an obligor are being enforced and the employer receives notice
that one or more cases have selected health care coverage over monetary child support,
the employer must withhold in the following manner:
(a) First
withhold the full amount listed on withholdings issued on the cases that have not
selected health care coverage over monetary child support;
(b) Withhold
the premium for health care coverage, up to the maximum allowed by law;
(c) If the
maximum is not reached, withhold support for the case(s) requesting health care
coverage, up to the full amount of the withholding order or the maximum allowed
by law, whichever is less;
(d) Identify
which payment goes with which case and submit the monetary support payments to the
Division of Child Support as directed in the withholding orders.
(10) A providing
party may select a different health benefit plan during any applicable open enrollment
period, providing the health benefit plan provides appropriate health care coverage,
or other coverage if the order so requires.
(11) If the
providing party changes to a health benefit plan that does not meet the criteria
in section (10) of this rule, the administrator will issue a medical support notice
as provided in section (1) of this rule and may pursue modification of the support
order for an amount towards cash medical support pursuant to OAR 137-050-0750, or
activate contingent provisions, if any, as provided in section 12 of this rule.
(12) When
an order provides for an obligor to pay cash medical support if the obligor is not
providing private health care coverage, the following provisions apply:
(a) When
the obligor stops providing private health care coverage, the administrator will
notify the parties that coverage has stopped and that cash medical support provisions
in the order, if any, will begin the month following the month in which the coverage
stopped.
(b) When
the obligor begins providing health care coverage, after notice from a party or
other source, the administrator will notify the parties that coverage is now provided
and that cash medical support will stop effective the month after the child is enrolled
or the administrator receives notice, whichever is later.
(c) At the
obligor’s option, the obligor may exceed the “reasonable in cost”
cap in order to provide health insurance that is otherwise appropriate. If obligor
does so, cash medical support will stop.
Stat. Auth.: ORS
25.080, 25.321, 25.325, 25.342 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented:
ORS 25.080 & 25.321 – 25.341

Hist.: AFS
10-1990, f. 3-14-90, cert. ef. 4-1-90; AFS 25-1995, f. 10-12-95, cert. ef. 10-15-95;
AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef.
12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0060; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03
thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4620; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef.
10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4620; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07;
DOJ 7-2007(Temp), f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07 thru 1-2-08; DOJ 2-2008, f. &
cert. ef. 1-2-08; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 4-2013, f. 5-15-13,
cert. ef. 7-1-13
137-055-4640
Medical Support Notice -- Plan Selection
For the purposes of this rule, the definitions found in ORS 25.321 and OAR 137-050-0750 apply.
(1) When a medical support notice has been served and the providing party as defined in ORS 25.321, is not enrolled in a health benefit plan or is not enrolled in a plan that offers and available dependent coverage as defined in ORS 25.323, and if more than one plan with appropriate dependent coverage is offered, the plan administrator will notify the enforcing agency and the enforcing agency will forward the health benefit plan information to the obligee, if the obligee is not the providing party.
(2) The notice sent by the enforcing agency with the health benefit plan descriptions and documents will advise the obligee that:
(a) If the obligee identifies a plan and contacts the enforcing agency within 10 calendar days of the date the plan information was mailed, except as provided in section (4) of this rule, the enforcing agency will notify the plan administrator of the selection made.
(b) If the obligee fails to notify the enforcing agency of a plan selection within 10 calendar days of the date the plan information was mailed, except as provided in section (4) of this rule, the enforcing agency will select the default plan if the plan administrator has indicated there is such a plan or, if there is not a default plan indicated by the plan administrator, the least costly plan available that provides appropriate health care coverage.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this rule, and except as provided in section (4) of this rule, if the providing party has more than one case with an order to provide appropriate health care coverage, the enforcing agency will select a plan using the following criteria:
(a) If there is only one health benefit plan that provides appropriate health care coverage on all cases, that plan will be selected;
(b) If there is more than one health benefit plan that provides appropriate health care coverage on all cases, the least costly plan will be selected;
(c) If there is a health benefit plan that provides appropriate health care coverage for some but not all of the children on the cases, then:
(A) If the medical support notices were issued on all cases on or about the same date, such as would occur when the providing party has a new employer, the least costly plan that is appropriate to the child(ren) on at least one of the cases will be selected; or
(B) If the medical support notices were issued at different times, such as would occur when there is an existing order with a provision for appropriate health care coverage on one case and a new order with a provision for appropriate health care coverage is established on a second case, the existing plan or the least costly plan that is appropriate to the child(ren) on the case in which the first medical support notice was issued will be selected.
(4) If a providing party’s current family is covered by a health benefit plan, the enforcing agency may not select a plan that eliminates the current family’s coverage.
(5) The enforcing agency will notify the plan administrator of the selection within 20 business days of the date the plan administrator forwarded the health plan descriptions and documents to the enforcing agency.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.080 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.325, 25.327, 25.329, 25.331, 25.333, 25.337, 25.341

Hist.: AFS 38-1995, f. 12-4-95, cert. ef. 12-15-95; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0063; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4640; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4640; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10
137-055-5025
Payment of Child Support to an Escrow Agent
(1) If current or past support is not assigned to the State of Oregon or another state, the parties may elect for support payments to be made to an escrow agent licensed under ORS 696.511 to accept and disburse support payments by electronic fund transfer.
(2) The election must be in writing and filed with the court that entered the support order and include:
(a) The signatures of the parties;
(b) The amount of the support payment and date the payment is due;
(c) The court case number; and
(d) The name of the escrow agent and account number into which the payments are to be electronically transferred.
(3) If IV-D services are being provided and the order is not otherwise subject to ORS 25.020, upon receipt of a court order or election of the parties to make payments to an escrow agent, the administrator will close its case and discontinue services:
(a) After expiration of the 60-day case closure notice as provided in OAR 137-055-1120; or
(b) Immediately upon the signed written request of the parties waiving the 60-day notice.
(4) An election will terminate if:
(a) An application for services is received by the Child Support Program subsequent to an election; or
(b) Support is assigned to the State of Oregon or another state.
(5) When the administrator establishes arrears pursuant to OAR 137-055-3240 and the parties previously made payments through an escrow agent as provided in section (1), the administrator may use the payment history of the escrow agent to establish arrears for any time period escrow services were provided.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.030

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.030 & 25.130

Hist.: DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06
137-055-5030
Receipting of Support Payments
(1) For purposes of this rule, “receipt”
means to officially acknowledge and credit a payment to an account.
(2) For purposes of this
rule, “authorized representative” means an employee of the Division
of Child Support, employees of a District Attorney Child Support office, and Assistant
Attorneys General and Deputy District Attorneys representing the Child Support Program.
(3) When support payments
are made to the Department of Justice in accordance with ORS 25.020, the State Disbursement
Unit (SDU) is the official receipting unit of the Child Support Program. All payments
will be disbursed after receipt by the SDU pursuant to 45 CFR 302.32.
(4) Support payments will
only be receipted by the SDU.
(5) Physical access to all
areas where support payments are stored or processed will be limited to employees
assigned to handle, accept or receipt support payments.
(6) Support payments received
by the receipting unit must be physically secured. At least two employees must be
present when support payments are not secured in a locked area or in a safe.
(7) Support payments will
be properly recorded and tracked in accordance with 45 CFR Ch. III.
(8) Support payments which
have been receipted by the SDU will be reconciled daily.
(9) Support payments will
be receipted and deposited within 48 hours.
(10) Pursuant to ORS 73.0114,
if there are contradictory terms on a negotiable instrument, the amount receipted
will be the amount written in words.
(11) Pursuant to ORS 73.0401,
if a negotiable instrument is not signed, the person is not liable for the instrument.
(12) Under limited circumstances,
offices of the Oregon Child Support Program, other than the facility which houses
the SDU, may accept child support payments in person or by mail and authorized representatives
may accept payments in court. If a payment is made in person, in court, or by mail
the employee or authorized representative shall provide written acknowledgment to
the payor that the payment has been accepted.
(13) Payments for support
may be accepted by an employee of an office of the Oregon Child Support Program
or by an authorized representative of the Child Support Program when:
(a) The payment is received
in court as a result of a court hearing for nonpayment of support; or
(b) The payment is received
in an office that employs strict internal currency handling standards;
(c) The office has the payment
deposited to an approved bank account; and
(d) The office ensures the
payment and remittance details are transmitted to the SDU immediately for receipting
and disbursement.
(A) The office or authorized
representative may transmit the payment to the SDU by an electronic fund transfer
(EFT) through an approved bank account; or
(B) The office may mail a
check to the SDU for the total amount of the payment(s).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345
Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020,
73.0114 & 73.0401
Hist.: DOJ 10-2004, f. &
cert. ef. 7-1-04; DOJ 13-2014(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 10-1-14 thru 3-30-15; DOJ
6-2015, f. & cert. ef. 3-30-15
137-055-5035
Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer
(1) As used in this rule, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Electronic Funds Transfer" (EFT) means the movement of funds by nonpaper means, usually through a payment system including, but not limited to, an automated clearinghouse or the Federal Reserve's Fedwire system;
(b) "Employer" means any entity or individual who:
(A) Does business in Oregon or has a registered agent in Oregon; and
(B) Engages an individual to perform work or services for which compensation is given in periodic payments or otherwise.
(c) "Income withholding order" means an order to withhold income issued under ORS 25.372 to 25.424.
(2) Except as provided in section (3), an employer must remit all support payments to the Department of Justice (DOJ) by EFT in the following circumstances:
(a) An employer with five or more employees has received at least one income withholding order for an employee;
(b) An employer with less than five employees has received an income withholding order for more than one employee; or
(c) An employer is required by Treasury regulations to make federal corporation estimated tax payments or federal payroll tax payments by means of EFT.
(3) DOJ may grant an exemption from the requirement in section (2) to pay by EFT if the employer demonstrates that its payroll or accounting system will not support EFT. The exemption will be granted on a case by case basis. DOJ's decision is final with regard to the exemption, but may be appealed as an other than contested case order under ORS 183.484.
(4) Notwithstanding sections (2) and (3), an employer must remit all support payments to DOJ by EFT in the following circumstances:
(a) The employer has received at least one income withholding order for an employee and has failed to withhold or failed to withhold within the time provided by ORS 25.411 at least twice;
(b) The employer has submitted at least one dishonored check; or
(c) The employer continues to incorrectly identify withholdings or makes other errors that affect proper distribution of the support, despite contact and information from DOJ on how to correct the error.
(5) All EFT payments must identify the employee for whom the payment is made, the amount of the payment, and the child support case number to which the payment is to be applied.
Stat. Auth: ORS 180.345, 293.525

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.372 - 25.424, 293.525

Hist.: DOJ 2-2007, f. & cert. ef. 4-2-07
137-055-5040
Accrual and Due Dates
(1) As used in this rule, "payment due date" means the due date or beginning pay date of an installment of support or, if no such date is listed, the date the administrative order or judgment document states it is effective.
(2) For any judgment document or administrative order requiring the payment in installments of child support or child and spousal support through the Division of Child Support (DCS), in accordance with ORS 25.020, this rule delineates the manner in which DCS will determine billing and accrual cycles.
(3)(a) When a support award does not specify the payment due date DCS will consider the payment due date to be the date listed in the administrative order or judgment document;
(b) When a support award or administrative order or judgment document specifies payments are to be made more frequently than monthly, DCS will consider the last payment due date listed in the month to be the payment due date.
(4) When neither the support award nor the administrative order or judgment document contains the payment due date:
(a) If the administrative order or judgment document is a modification of a support order, DCS will consider the payment due date to be same as the existing support order;
(b) If the administrative order or judgment document is not a modification of a support order, DCS will consider the payment due date to be the last day of the month in which the administrative order or judgment document was signed.
(5) If an administrative order or judgment document is a modification of a support order:
(a) The support obligation will not be pro-rated for the month in which the payment due date falls, unless the administrative order or judgment document provides otherwise;
(b) If the modification payment due date is on or before the payment due date of the existing support order, the installment due for that month will be changed to the new amount;
(c) If the modification payment due date is after the payment due date of the existing order:
(A) If the order or judgment is signed prior to the payment due date of the existing support order, the installment due for that month will be changed to the new amount;
(B) If the order or judgment is signed after the payment due date of the existing support order, the installment due will be changed to the new amount effective the following month.
(6) When the support obligation terminates during any month, the support obligation will not be pro-rated for the month, unless the order for support provides otherwise. In any month:
(a) If the support obligation terminates on or before the payment due date for the month, no installment will be due for that month.
(b) If the support obligation terminates after the payment due date for the month, the entire monthly installment will be due for that month.
(c) If the support award specifies that payments are due on a basis other than monthly, such as weekly, bi-weekly, or semi-monthly, the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) will apply to the specified payment period rather than monthly.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020 & 25.080

Hist.: AFS 77-1982, f. 8-5-82, ef. 9-1-82; AFS 93-1982, f. & ef. 10-18-82; AFS 15-1988, f. & cert. ef. 2-24-88; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89; Renumbered from 461-035-0040; AFS 31-1992, f. 10-29-92, cert. ef. 11-1-92; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0080; SSP 4-2003, f. 2-25-03, cert. ef. 3-1-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5040; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5040; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 10-2004, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-04
137-055-5045
Inconsistent Provisions: Body of Order and Support or Money Award
(1) If the administrator discovers that the support provisions in the body of an administrative order or judgment document are inconsistent with the support or money award (hereinafter award), the administrator will:
(a) On a case in which the Division of Child Support (DCS) is providing distribution and, as appropriate, disbursement only services, send a courtesy notice regarding the inconsistency to all parties;
(b) On a case in which services are being provided under ORS 25.080 but the award was not entered by the administrator, send a written notice to all parties to request correction of the error. The notice will advise the parties that until DCS is provided with a copy of the court corrected judgment and award, their support case will be enforced:
(A) As recorded on the judgment register Oregon Judicial Information Network (OJIN), or
(B) If OJIN does not reflect information necessary to proceed, as recorded on the money award;
(c) On a case in which services are being provided under ORS 25.080 and the award was entered by the administrator, file a motion to correct the error. Until the error is corrected, the support case will be enforced
(A) As recorded on the judgment register OJIN, or
(B) If OJIN does not reflect information necessary to proceed, as recorded on the money award.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1)(b) of this rule, the administrator may instead file a motion to correct the error if the child support rights, as defined in ORS 25.010, have been assigned to the state.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020 & 25.080

Hist.: DOJ 10-2004, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-04; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07
137-055-5060
Billings for Support Payments
(1) Except as
provided in subsections (3)(a) and (b) of this rule, when a case with a support
order is activated on the Child Support Enforcement Automated System, the Division
of Child Support (DCS) will send notice to the parties of the requirement to pay
through DCS.
(2) DCS
will begin billing in the first full calendar month following 30 days from the receipt
of the order or notice that the order should be activated.
(3)(a)
When support is paid for a period of six months by income withholding pursuant to
ORS 25.378 or by electronic payment withdrawal pursuant to OAR 137-055-4080 DCS
may discontinue monthly billings unless:
(A) The
obligor requests otherwise; or
(B) The
administrator determines that monthly billings should continue.
(b) When
the total amount due is less than five dollars, DCS will discontinue monthly billings.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.020

Hist.:
AFS 21-1978, f. & ef. 5-30-78; AFS 88-1980, f. & ef. 12-10-80; AFS 66-1989,
f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0001; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00,
cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0105; SSP 4-2003, f. 2-25-03, cert. ef.
3-1-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered
from 461-200-5060; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5060;
DOJ 9-2005, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-5080
Adding Interest Calculations to Individual Support Cases
(1) For a support
case with an Oregon support order as the controlling order, the administrator will
add interest calculations to the case by using the establishment of arrears process
set out in OAR 137-055-3240 under the following conditions:
(a) The
party makes a written request that the interest be added to the case;
(b) The
requesting party provides a month by month calculation showing support accrual,
principal due and interest accrual for
each month with total principal and interest due as separate totals at the end of
the calculations; and
(c) The interest is calculated
per ORS 82.010 from the date of entry of a judgment in Oregon.
(2) The
administrator may limit adding interest to the case under section (1) of this rule
to one time every 24 months.
(3) For
a case with a controlling support order from another jurisdiction, the law of the
jurisdiction which issued the controlling order governs the computation and accrual
of interest under the support order. Interest accrued under the laws of the jurisdiction
which issued the controlling order may be added to the Oregon case by administratively
reconciling the case record when interest amounts are provided by the other jurisdiction.
The administrator will send an informational notice to the parties when the case
is adjusted.
Stat. Auth.:
Sec. 2, Ch. 73 OL 2003

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.167, 82.010 & 416.429

Hist.:
AFS 6-1996, f. 2-21-96, cert. ef. 3-1-96; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00,
Renumbered from 461-195-0048; AFS 15-2001, f. 7-31-01, cert. ef. 8-1-01; AFS 15-2002,
f. 10-30-02, ef. 11-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03,
Renumbered from 461-200-5080; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered
from 461-200-5080; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ
4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-5110
Child Attending School
The purpose of this rule is to provide
additional information as to how the Child Support Program (CSP) will apply the
provisions of ORS 107.108 when the order or modification provides for support until
the child is age 21, so long as the child is a child attending school in accordance
with ORS 107.108.
(1) In addition to the definitions
found in ORS 107.108, as used in OAR chapter 137, division 55, the following terms
have the meanings given below:
(a) “Active member
of the military” means:
(A) A member of the Army,
Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard (collectively known as the "armed
forces"), who is serving on active duty; or
(B) A member of the National
Guard who is serving full-time National Guard state or federal active duty; or
(C) A cadet at a federal
service academy.
(b) “Adult child”
means a child over the age of 18 and under the age of 21, who is not married or
otherwise emancipated, and is not currently a child attending school.
(c) "Child attending school"
has the meaning given in ORS 107.108, except a child attending school does not include
an active member of the military.
(d) “Satisfactory academic
progress” means:
(A) For a child attending
high school who is over age 18 but under age 21, enrollment in school and meeting
attendance requirements or as defined by the school; or
(B) For a child attending
post high school classes, as defined by the higher educational institution.
(2) If the obligor has not
provided the child attending school with mailing address for the documents required
by ORS 107.108, the administrator, pursuant to OAR 137-055-1140(8), may release
the contact address of the obligor to the child attending school. If the obligor
does not provide an address to the CSP or to the child, the obligor’s failure
to receive required documents is not a basis for objecting that a child does not
qualify as a child attending school.
(3) If there has been a finding
and order of nondisclosure on behalf of the child attending school pursuant to ORS
25.020, the child may send the obligor’s copy of any documents required by
ORS 107.108 to the administrator for the administrator to forward to the obligor.
The child must submit a copy of the documents to the administrator within the time
periods set out in ORS 107.108. The administrator will redact the following information
prior to sending a copy of the documents otherwise required to be provided to the
obligor:
(a) Residence, mailing or
contact address including the school name and address;
(b) Social security number;
(c) Telephone number including
the school telephone number;
(d) Driver’s license
number;
(e) Employer’s name,
address and telephone number; and
(f) Name of registrar or
school official.
(4) If a child attending
school is in the care of the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), any and all reporting
duties of the child attending school will be the duty of OYA.
(5) The Department of Justice
will distribute and disburse support directly to the child attending school, unless
good cause is found to distribute and disburse support in some other manner. For
purposes of this section “good cause” may include:
(a) The child is in the care
of OYA;
(b) The child provides written
notarized authorization for distribution and disbursement to the obligee;
(c) The court, administrative
law judge or administrator orders otherwise; or
(d) The administrator is
enforcing the Oregon order at the request of another state and that state has indicated
they are unable to distribute and disburse support directly to the child.
(6)(a) If the administrator
makes a finding that the support payment should be distributed and disbursed to
the obligee under subsection (5)(b), the administrator will send a notice of redirection
of support to the parties.
(b) A party may contest the
administrator’s finding as provided in ORS 183.484.
(7) An objection based on
the requirements of ORS 107.108 may be made by any party to the support order.
(a) Unless new supporting
documentation can be provided, an objection can only be made once per semester or
term as defined by the school, or three months from the date of a previous objection
if the school does not have semesters or terms.
(b) A party may contest the
administrator’s finding from the objection as provided in ORS 183.484.
(8) When support has been
suspended under 107.108, if the case has been closed pursuant to OAR 137-055-1120
and the adult child subsequently complies with the requirements for reinstatement,
the adult child must submit the written confirmation of compliance, proof of written
consent and an application for services as described in 137-055-1060. The written
confirmation and application for services may be combined as one document.
(9) When the administrator
has suspended or reinstated a support obligation pursuant to ORS 107.108, a party
may request an administrative review of the action within 30 days after the date
of the notice of suspension or reinstatement.
(a) The only issues which
may be considered in the review are whether:
(A) The child meets the requirements
of a child attending school;
(B) The written notice of
the child’s intent to attend or continue to attend school was sent to the
parent ordered to pay support;
(C) The written consent was
sent or proof of written consent was received.
(b) The burden of proof for
the administrative review is on the requesting party to provide documentation supporting
the allegation(s).
(10) When support has been
suspended under ORS 107.108, the adult child may request to receive notice of future
modifications and may request to be a party to the modification as outlined in ORS
107.108 and OAR 137-055-3430. The adult child does not have any party status on
the case until the request has been received by the administrator.
(11) In addition to the rights
afforded under ORS 107.108, if the obligee claims good cause under OAR 137-055-1090,
the child attending school may apply for services to enforce the existing support
obligation on behalf of the child attending school only.
(a) The application will
be handled in the same manner as outlined in OAR 137-055-1090(10)(a)–(c).
(b) If the child attending
school applies for services, and services are provided under ORS 25.080, all arrears
for that child will accrue to the child attending school as provided for in OAR
137-055-6021, until the child’s 21st birthday or is otherwise emancipated
and then will be file credited off the case.
(12) If a court orders payment
from a higher education savings plan in lieu of support under ORS 107.108;
(a) The administrator will
cease collection and billing actions on behalf of that child at age 18. If the support
order is for a single or last remaining child the department will close the case
unless there are arrears on the case.
(b) If payments are ordered
from a higher education savings plan and the court has not provided for a modification
of the support amount for any remaining children of the order, this is a substantial
change of circumstances for purposes of modifying the support order.
(c) If payment from a higher
education savings plan has been ordered, the administrator will not take action
to subsequently modify the support order to include child attending school support
provisions for that child.
(13) Except for support orders
originally issued by a state other than Oregon and being enforced under the provisions
of ORS 110.303 to 110.452, if the most recent order or modification for support
cites 107.108 or otherwise provides for support of a “child attending school,”
the administrator will follow the provisions of 107.108 and this rule, regardless
of other child attending school provisions that may be in the support order.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020,
107.108 & 180.345
Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020, 25.080,
107.108 & 416.407
Hist.: AFS 23-2001, f. 10-2-01,
cert. 10-6-01; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered
from 461-200-5110; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5110;
DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 10-2004, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-04;
DOJ 5-2005, f. & cert. ef. 7-15-05; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05
thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert.
ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert.
ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 10-2008, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-08; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert.
ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 13-2014(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 10-1-14 thru 3-30-15; DOJ 6-2015,
f. & cert. ef. 3-30-15
137-055-5120
Child Attending School -- Arrears
(1) For purposes of this rule "arrears" means past due support which has accrued but does not include support for the current month even if the due date for that month has passed.
(2) Unless otherwise provided by a support judgment, a child attending school is not a judgment creditor to the support order and the provisions of this rule apply.
(3)(a) Notwithstanding section (2), support for a child attending school that is not paid when due will accrue to a child attending school account and any arrears payment received prior to the child turning age 21 or otherwise emancipated, will be distributed to the child attending school or adult child as outlined in OAR 137-055-6021.
(b) When the child attending school turns age 21 or is otherwise emancipated, any arrears in the child attending school account will be transferred to the obligee as the judgment creditor.
(4)(a) When an obligee requests establishment of arrears for any time period during which a child was a child attending school and services were being provided under ORS 25.080, the arrears will be established to the child's account.
(b)(A) If the child attending school is the only or last remaining child on the case, the administrator will not establish arrears for any time period when services were not being provided and support is only being paid for the child attending school. Arrears may only accrue to the child attending school account from the date the administrator begins providing child support services.
(B) Notwithstanding subsection (b)(A), the administrator may establish arrears for any time period when services were not being provided if the judicial order found that the child qualified as a child attending school during the time period for which arrears are being established.
(5) A child attending school may not satisfy arrears but may agree to a credit for direct payment, pursuant to OAR 137-055-5240, against arrears which have accrued to the child attending school account only.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 107.108

Hist.: AFS 21-1991, f. 10-23-91, cert. ef. 11-1-91; AFS 26-1991, f. 12-31-91, cert. ef. 1-1-92; AFS 9-1992, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-92; AFS 31-1992, f. 10-29-92, cert. ef. 11-1-92; AFS 18-1997(Temp), f. 9-23-97, cert. ef. 10-4-97; AFS 18-1997(Temp) Repealed by AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 2-2000, f. 1-28-00, cert. ef. 2-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0136; AFS 23-2001, f. 10-2-01, cert. ef. 10-6-01; AFS 17-2002(Temp), f. 10-30-02, cert. ef. 11-1-02 thru 4-29-03; SSP 4-2003, f. 2-25-03, cert. ef. 3-1-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5120; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5120; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04; DOJ 4-2005, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-05; DOJ 5-2005, f. & cert. ef. 7-15-05; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06
137-055-5220
Satisfaction of Support Awards
The purpose of
this rule is to define how the Division of Child Support (DCS) will credit "satisfactions
of support award" in certain circumstances. This rule must not be construed as limiting
the authority of DCS to approve or credit a satisfaction of support award in other
lawful circumstances not specified in this rule.
(1) When
support payment records are kept by the Department of Justice, an obligee may satisfy
amounts indicated on the case records as past due by filing a properly-completed
"satisfaction of support award" form with the administrator, subject to approval
by DCS under the provisions of this rule; or in accordance with OAR 137-055-5240.
(2) When
current support or arrears are assigned to the State of Oregon or to another jurisdiction,
and the obligor is seeking credit for support payments not made through DCS:
(a) DCS
and its attorneys have authority to approve and sign satisfactions.
(b) This
authority may be exercised only when the obligee has signed a satisfaction of support
award form which acknowledges that the support payment was received.
(3) DCS
and its attorneys have authority to sign and approve satisfactions of support award
for money paid through DCS as payment of assigned support.
(4) DCS
will record, on the case record, all properly-completed satisfactions of support
award not assigned, and all satisfactions ordered by a court or a hearing order,
and all satisfactions for assigned support that are approved in accordance with
this rule. DCS will also promptly forward the satisfaction form to the appropriate
court administrator, together with a certificate stating the amount of support satisfaction
entered on the case record.
(5) Except
when satisfied and approved by DCS and its attorneys or by a court or hearing order,
DCS will not enter a satisfaction on a case record for support that has been assigned
to the State of Oregon or another jurisdiction.
(6) When
DCS rejects a satisfaction in part or in full as provided in section (5) above,
DCS will send written notice to the obligor and obligee, by regular mail to the
most recent address of record. Such notice will indicate the reason for the rejection.
(7) All
satisfactions must contain the following:
(a) The
full names of both the obligor and the obligee;
(b) The
name of the Oregon county where the support award was entered;
(c) The
Oregon Child Support Program support case number, or the circuit court case number;
(d) Either:
(A) The
total dollar amount to be satisfied; or
(B) The
period of time for which past due support is satisfied;
(e) A
statement that the satisfaction is only for child support or spousal support;
(f) The
signature of the obligee, except for those satisfactions approved under sections
(2) and
(3) of this rule, where the obligee's signature is not required; and
(g) The
date the form is signed.
(8) All
signatures on "satisfactions of support award" must be notarized, except on court
orders.
(9) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this rule, DCS has the authority to file and execute a satisfaction,
without the need to notarize such satisfaction, when all of the following are true:
(a) The
obligor provides a sworn affidavit that the support award has been paid in full,
and
(b) DCS
certifies that it has a complete payment record for the support award and that the
payment records shows no arrears. DCS will be considered to have a complete pay
record if DCS has kept the pay record for the support judgment from the date of
the first support payment required under the award, or if the obligee or the administrator
established arrears for the time period when DCS did not keep the pay record on
the case.
(10) When
DCS receives a sworn affidavit under the provisions of subsection (9)(a) of this
rule, DCS will examine its support records and determine if it has the authority
under section (9) of this rule to execute and file a satisfaction of support award.
DCS will promptly notify the obligor if DCS determines that it does not have authority
to execute and file a satisfaction of support award. DCS will also determine if
any amounts due for support were not assigned to the state. If DCS determines that
any amounts were not assigned to the state, DCS will give notice to the obligee
in the manner provided by ORS 25.085. The notice must inform the obligee that DCS
will execute and file the satisfaction of support award unless DCS receives an objection
and request for hearing within 30 days after the date of mailing the notice.
(11) If
the obligee requests a hearing under section (10) of this rule, a contested case
hearing will be conducted under ORS 183.310 to 183.502 before an administrative
law judge.
(12) If
support is owed to a child attending school the obligee may only satisfy arrears
as defined in OAR 137-055-5120.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 18.225 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented:
ORS 18.225 - 238 & 25.020

Hist.:
AFS 21-1978, f. & ef. 5-30-78; AFS 26-1979(Temp), f. & ef. 8-16-79; AFS
22-1980, f. & ef. 4-3-80; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered
from 461-035-0005; AFS 17-1991, f. & cert. ef. 8-29-91; AFS 9-1992, f. &
cert. ef. 4-1-92; AFS 19-1995, f. 8-30-95, cert. ef. 9-9-95; AFS 14-1996, f. 4-24-96,
cert. ef. 5-1-96; AFS 28-1996, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-96; AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97,
cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0155;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5220;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5220; DOJ 2-2004,
f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04; DOJ 9-2005,
f. & cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 1-2010,
f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11;
DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-5240
Credit for Support Payments not made to the Division of Child Support
(1) In accordance
with ORS 25.020, on any support case where the obligor is required to pay support
through the Division of Child Support (DCS), DCS will not credit the obligor's support
account for any payment not made through DCS, except as provided in ORS 25.020 and
this rule.
(2) The
other provisions of this rule notwithstanding, on any case where an order of another
jurisdiction is registered in Oregon under ORS Chapter 110 for enforcement only,
and either the issuing jurisdiction or the jurisdiction in which the obligee resides
has an active child support accounting case open, DCS does not have authority to
give credit for payments not paid through Oregon DCS. In any such case, the obligor
seeking credit must request credit
from the jurisdiction with the active child support accounting case. DCS will adjust
its records to reflect credit for such payments only upon receiving notification
from the other jurisdiction, in writing, by electronic transmission, by telephone,
or by court order, that specified payments will be credited.
(3) DCS will give credit
for payments not made to DCS when:
(a) Payments
are not assigned to the State of Oregon or to another jurisdiction, and
(A) The
obligor, obligee and the party who received the payment agree in writing that specific
payments were made and should be credited; or
(B) The
obligor and the child attending school, as defined in ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110,
agree in writing that specific payments were made and should be credited for amounts
that accrued during the time the child was a child attending school.
(b) Payments
are assigned to the State of Oregon, and all of the following additional conditions
are true:
(A) The
parties make sworn written statements that specific payments were made;
(B) The
parties present canceled checks, or other substantial evidence, to corroborate that
the payments were made; and
(C) The
administrator has given written notice to the obligee or the child attending school,
prior to the obligee or the child attending school making a sworn written statement
under subsection (b), of any potential criminal or civil liability that may attach
to an admission of receiving the assigned support. Potential criminal or civil liability
may include, but is not limited to:
(i) Prosecution
for unlawfully receiving public assistance benefits.
(ii) Liability
for repayment of any public assistance overpayments for which the obligee or child
attending school may be liable.
(iii)
Temporary or permanent disqualification from receiving public assistance, food stamp,
or medical assistance benefits due to an intentional program violation being established
against the obligee or child attending school for failure to report, to the administrator,
having received payments directly from the obligor.
(c) The
administrator is enforcing the case at the request of another jurisdiction, regardless
of whether or not support is assigned, and that jurisdiction verifies that payments
not paid to DCS were received by the other jurisdiction or by the obligee directly.
Such verification may be in writing, by electronic transmission, by telephone, or
by court order.
(d) An
order of an administrative law judge, or an order from a court of appropriate jurisdiction,
so specifies.
(4) To
receive credit for payments not made to DCS, the obligor may apply directly to the
administrator for credit, by providing the documents and evidence specified in section
(3) of this rule.
(5) Except
as provided in section (2) of this rule if the obligee, a child attending school,
or other jurisdiction does not agree that payments were made, pursuant to subsection
(3)(a) or (3)(c) of this rule, or does not make a sworn written statement under
subsection (3)(b), the obligor may make a written request to the administrator for
a hearing.
(a) Prior
notice of the hearing and of the right to object will be served upon the obligee
in accordance with ORS 25.085 and the child attending school.
(b) Prior
notice of the hearing and of the right to object may be served upon the obligor
by regular mail to the address provided by the obligor when applying for credit.
(c) A
hearing conducted under this rule is a contested case hearing in accordance with
ORS 183.413 through 183.470. Any party may also seek a hearing de novo in the Oregon
circuit court.
(d) After
the hearing, an administrative law judge may order DCS to credit the obligor's support
account for a specified dollar amount of payments not made through DCS, or for all
payments owed through a specified date.
(e) The
other provisions of this section notwithstanding, an administrative law judge does
not have jurisdiction under this section in cases where the administrator is enforcing
another jurisdiction’s order.
(6) Nothing
in this rule precludes DCS from giving credit for payments not made through DCS
when a judicial determination has been made giving credit or satisfaction, or when
the person to whom the support is owed has completed and signed a "satisfaction
of support judgment" form adopted by DCS in accordance with OAR 137-055-5220.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.020 & 25.085

Hist.:
AFS 42-1995, f. 1-28-95, cert. ef. 1-1-96; AFS 8-1996, f. 2-23-96, cert. ef. 3-1-96;
AFS 7-1998, f. 3-30-98, cert. ef. 4-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00,
Renumbered from 461-195-0157; AFS 15-2002, f. 10-30-02, ef. 11-1-02; SSP 15-2003,
f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 6-30-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru
12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5240; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03,
Renumbered from 461-200-5240; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06;
DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11
thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-5400
Obligor Receiving Cash
Assistance, Presumed Unable to Pay Child Support
(1) Cases for obligors
receiving cash assistance as specified in ORS 25.245 from Oregon will be identified
and processed as set forth in 25.245. Obligors receiving cash assistance as specified
in 25.245 from another state or tribe must provide to the administrator written
proof of receipt of such cash assistance. The written proof must:
(a) Be provided
by the obligor to the administrator to initiate suspension and every three months
thereafter;
(b) Include
the date the cash assistance payment was first made, the amount of the cash assistance
for each and every month in which cash assistance was received, and the ending date,
if known, of the cash assistance;
(c) Be official
documentation, recognized by the issuing agency, that covers each and every month
that cash assistance was received, including but not limited to a benefits award
letter, deposit record or receipt.
(2)(a) When
an obligor has provided written proof of receipt of cash assistance pursuant to
section (1) of this rule, the administrator will, subject to section (3) of this
rule, credit the case for arrears accrued from the date the obligor submitted written
proof of receipt of cash assistance back to the date the cash assistance was first
made, but not earlier than October 6, 2001;
(b) When
an obligor notifies the administrator that the obligor is no longer receiving cash
assistance, the administrator will begin accrual and billing pursuant to the support
order currently in effect with the next support payment due following the end of
the last month that the obligor received public assistance;
(c) If the
obligor fails to provide written proof of receipt of cash assistance pursuant to
section (1) of this rule, the administrator will begin accrual and billing pursuant
to the support order currently in effect with the next support payment due for the
month following the month for which the obligor last provided written proof;
(d) If the
obligor provides written proof of receipt of cash assistance pursuant to section
(1) of this rule after failing to provide timely written proof of receipt of cash
assistance within three months, thereby causing the administrator to begin billing
and accrual pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, support accrual may be suspended
and arrears may be credited pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
(3)(a) Upon
receipt of information that the obligor is receiving or has received cash assistance
as specified in ORS 25.245(1), the administrator will send a notice to all parties
to the support order. The notice will contain a statement of the presumption that
support accrual ceases and include the following:
(A) A statement
of the month in which cash assistance was first made, and the ending date, if known;
(B) A statement
that, unless the party objects, child support payments cease accruing beginning
with the support payment due on or after the date the obligor began receiving cash
assistance, but not earlier than:
(i) January
1, 1994, if the obligor received Oregon Title IV-A cash assistance, Oregon general
cash assistance, Oregon Supplemental Income Program cash assistance or Supplemental
Security Income Program payments by the Social Security Administration; or
(ii) October
6, 2001, if the obligor received Title IV-A cash assistance or general cash assistance
from another state or Tribe;
(C) A statement
that the administrator will continue providing enforcement services, including services
to collect any arrears;
(D) A statement
that if the obligor ceases to receive cash assistance as specified in ORS 25.245(1),
accrual and billing will begin with the next support payment due following the end
of the last month that the obligor receives cash assistance or for which the obligor
provided written proof;
(E) A statement
that any party may object to the presumption that the obligor is unable to pay support
by sending to the administrator a written objection within 30 days of the date of
service;
(F) A statement
that the objections must include a written description of the resource or other
evidence that might rebut the presumption of inability to pay; and
(G) A statement
that the entity responsible for providing enforcement services represents the state
and that low cost legal counsel may be available.
(b) Included
with each notice under this section will be a separate form for the party to use
if they choose to file an objection to the presumption that the obligor is unable
to pay support.
(4) No credit
will be given for periods for which the court or administrative law judge has previously
declined to suspend the obligor's child support obligation in an action under ORS
25.245;
(5) No credit
will be given for months when the administrator had suspended accrual or where credit
was already received.
Stat. Auth.: ORS
25.245 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented:
ORS 25.245

Hist.: AFS
4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-4-94; AFS 20-1998, f. & cert. ef. 10-5-98; AFS
32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0120; AFS 23-2001,
f. 10-2-01, cert. ef. 10-6-01; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru
12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5400; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03,
Renumbered from 461-200-5400; DOJ 5-2005, f. & cert. ef. 7-15-05; DOJ 8-2005(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ
13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12; DOJ 15-2012, f. 9-27-12, cert. ef. 10-1-12

137-055-5510
Request for Credit Against Child Support Arrears for Physical Custody of Child
The terms used in this rule have the
meanings set out in OAR 137-055-6010.
(1) In accordance with ORS
416.425, the administrator may allow a credit against child support arrearages for
periods of time during which the obligor has physical custody of the child(ren)
when:
(a) Physical custody was
pursuant to a court ordered parenting time schedule and the court order specifically
states that the obligor is allowed a credit for parenting time that is not already
factored into the monthly child support amount;
(b) Physical custody was
with the knowledge and consent of the obligee; or
(c) The obligor has custody
of the child(ren) pursuant to court order.
(2) A request for credit
against child support arrears under this rule must be made in writing:
(a) If the credit is requested
for a time period immediately prior to the effective date of the modification; or
(b) Independently of a request
for modification, for any time period within two years prior to the date of the
request.
(3)(a) Credit for physical
custody may only be given if the child(ren) is/are with the obligor for 30 consecutive
days or the entire month for which credit is sought. When the obligor is seeking
a credit for fewer than all of the children under a child support order, a credit
may only be given if the order is not a class order as defined in OAR 137-055-1020.
(b) Credit for physical custody
may not be given against any arrears which have accrued to a child attending school
account under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110.
(4) Notwithstanding subsections
(3)(a) and (b), the credit may only be allowed to the extent it will not result
in a credit balance, as defined in OAR 137-055-3490(1).
(5) The administrator will
send to the parties by regular mail, or by service, as part of the modification
action, notice and proposed order of the intended action, including the amount to
be credited. Such notice will inform the parties that:
(a) Within 30 days from the
date of this notice, a party may request an administrative hearing;
(b) The request for hearing
must be in writing;
(c) The only basis upon which
a party may object is that:
(A) The obligor did not have
physical custody of all the child(ren) under the support order for the time periods
requested;
(B) The obligor had physical
custody of the child(ren), but the custody was not with the knowledge and consent
of the obligee and the obligor does not have legal custody of the child(ren);
(C) The obligor had physical
custody of the child(ren) pursuant to a court order for parenting time and the order
does not allow the obligor a credit for periods of parenting time.
(6) Credit for physical custody
will not be allowed for any child who is a child attending school or an adult child
as defined in ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110.
(7) If a credit is allowed
pursuant to this rule, the credit will be applied as follows:
(a) If none of the arrears
are assigned to the state, the credit will be applied to the family's unassigned
arrears;
(b) If there are arrears
assigned to the state and the child was receiving assistance during any time period
for which the obligor had physical custody of the child(ren), the credit will be
applied in the following sequence:
(A) State's permanently assigned
arrears, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance;
(B) State's temporarily assigned
arrears, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance;
(C) Family's unassigned arrears;
(D) Family's conditionally
assigned arrears.
(c) If there are arrears
assigned to the state and the child was not receiving assistance during any time
period for which the obligor had physical custody of the child(ren), the credit
will be applied in the following sequence:
(A) Family's unassigned arrears;
(B) Family's conditionally
assigned arrears;
(C) State's permanently assigned
arrears, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance;
(D) State's temporarily assigned
arrears, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance.
(8) Any appeal of the decision
made by an administrative law judge must be to the circuit court for a hearing de
novo pursuant to ORS 416.427.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345 & 416.455
Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.425
Hist.: DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04
cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 10-2004, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-04; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 1-2007,
f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 7-2014, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-14
137-055-5520
Request for Credit Against Child Support Arrears for Social Security or Veterans' Benefits Paid Retroactively on Behalf of a Child
(1) In accordance with ORS 107.135 and 416.425, the purpose of this rule is to define the process for allowing a credit against child support arrears for Social Security or Veterans’ benefits paid retroactively to the child, or to a representative payee administering the funds for the child's use and benefit.
(2) A request for credit against arrears under this rule may be for:
(a) A lump sum; or
(b) Monthly amounts which, when added together, equal a lump sum.
(3) As used in this rule, Social Security benefits are as defined in OAR 137-050-0740.
(4) As used in this rule, Veterans’ benefits include both apportioned Veterans’ benefits and Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance, as defined in OAR 137-050-0740.
(5) The request for credit against arrears will be considered if submitted in writing and credit has not already been given for the same payments.
(6) A request for credit against a child support arrears for Social Security or Veterans’ benefits paid retroactively on behalf of the child may be made either:
(a) With a request for a periodic review and modification or a substantial change in circumstance modification if there is a current support obligation for that child. The modification must have an effective date on or after October 23, 1999; or
(b) Independently of a request for a modification if the order has already been modified to reflect that the obligor receives Social Security or Veterans’ benefits or there is no longer a current support obligation for the child.
(7) A party must provide documentation of the Social Security Administration (SSA) or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) retroactive payment paid on behalf of the child.
(8)(a) The credit for Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance will be a dollar for dollar credit against the child support arrears; and
(b) The credit for Social Security and apportioned Veterans’ benefits may be a dollar for dollar credit against the child support arrears.
(9) Notwithstanding subsections (8)(a) and (b), the maximum credit allowed will be limited to the amount of the child support arrears. In no circumstances will the credit exceed the amount of the retroactive SSA or DVA payment made on behalf of the child.
(10) The administrator will send to the parties by regular mail notice and proposed order of the intended action, including the amount to be credited and how the amount was calculated. Such notice will advise the parties of the right to an administrative hearing regarding this action:
(a) Within 30 days from the date of this notice, a party may request an administrative hearing as specified in the notice;
(b) The request for hearing must be in writing;
(c) The only basis upon which a party may object is that:
(A) The lump sum payment was not received;
(B) The lump sum payment amount used in the calculation is not correct; or
(C) The amount of the credit is not correct because credit has already been given for all or part of the lump sum payment.
(d) Any appeal of the decision made by an administrative law judge will be to the circuit court for a hearing de novo.
(11) If no timely written request for hearing is received, the order will be filed in circuit court.
(12) If the credit determined in subsections (8)(a) and (b), is less than the amount of arrears owed per section (9), the file credit will be applied as follows:
(a) If none of the arrears are assigned to the state, the credit will be applied to the family's unassigned arrears;
(b) If there are arrears assigned to the state and the child was receiving assistance during any time period covered by the retroactive payment per the SSA or DVA determination letter, the credit will be applied in the following sequence:
(A) State's permanently assigned arrears, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance;
(B) State's temporarily assigned arrears, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance;
(C) Family's unassigned arrears;
(D) Family's conditionally assigned arrears.
(c) If there are arrears assigned to the state and the child was not receiving assistance during any time period covered by of the retroactive payment per the SSA or DVA determination letter, the credit will be applied in the following sequence:
(A) Family's unassigned arrears;
(B) Family's conditionally assigned arrears;
(C) State's permanently assigned arrears, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance;
(D) State's temporarily assigned arrears, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020, 107.135 & 416.425

Hist.: AFS 13-1999, f. 10-29-99, cert. ef. 11-1-99; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0159; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5520; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5520; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 9-2009, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-09
137-055-6010
Definitions for Distribution and Disbursement
For purposes of OAR 137-055-6020 through 137-055-6024, the following definitions apply:
(1) "Assistance" means cash assistance under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, or foster care maintenance payments provided by the Department of Human Services (DHS), or cost of care provided by the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA).
(2) "Current support" means the monthly support amount ordered by a court or administrative process for the benefit of a child and/or a former spouse.
(3) "Electronic funds transfer (EFT)" and "Electronic data interchange (EDI)" means the movement of funds and information by nonpaper means, usually through a payment system including, but not limited to, an automated clearing house (ACH), the Federal Reserve’s Fedwire system, magnetic tape, direct deposit or stored value card.
(4) "Family’s conditionally-assigned arrears" means past-due support that accrues during non-assistance periods, and was not permanently assigned under pre-October 1997 assignments, which revert back to the family on either October 1, 2000, if the family terminates assistance prior to October 1, 2000, or on the date the family leaves the assistance program if on or after October 1, 2000. Beginning October 1, 2009, for TANF assignments, the family’s conditionally-assigned arrears are no longer temporarily-assigned to the state during assistance periods. They remain conditionally-assigned to the family. For foster care and OYA assignments, family’s conditionally-assigned arrears revert to state’s temporarily-assigned arrears during periods that the child or children are in the state’s care.
(5) "Family’s unassigned arrears" means past-due support which accrues after the family’s most recent period of assistance, or at any time in the case where a family has never received assistance.
(6) "Family’s unassigned arrears during assistance period" means past-due support which accumulates while a family receives assistance and exceeds the total amount of unreimbursed assistance paid to the family.
(7) "Future support" means an amount received which represents payment on current support or arrears for future months.
(8) Pass-through means current support for a child or children, which is assigned for TANF but is disbursed to the obligee before any remaining amount of current support is retained by the state.
(9) "State’s permanently-assigned arrears" means:
(a) Past-due support which accrues during the period the family receives assistance and past-due support which accrued before the family applied for assistance in pre-October 1997 assignments only; or
(b) Advance payments owed to the State of Oregon under OAR 137-055-6210.
(10) "State’s temporarily-assigned arrears" means past-due support assigned to the state during assistance periods, but which accrued during non-assistance periods, and were not permanently assigned under pre-October 1997 assignments. Beginning October 1, 2009, for TANF assignments, state’s temporarily-assigned arrears permanently revert to family’s conditionally-assigned arrears when the family is no longer receiving assistance, and unassigned family arrears which accrue during non-assistance periods will no longer be temporarily-assigned to the state during assistance periods. For foster care and OYA assignments, state’s temporarily-assigned arrears revert to family’s conditionally-assigned arrears during periods that the child or children are not in the state’s care.
(11) "Unreimbursed assistance" means the cumulative amount of assistance paid to a family or on behalf of a child(ren) for all months which has not been recovered by assigned support collections. The total amount of unreimbursed assistance that may be recovered is limited by the total amount of the assigned support obligation. [Table not included. See ED. NOTE.]
[ED. NOTE: Tables referenced are not included in rule text. Click here for PDF copy of table(s).]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020; 412.024 & 418.032

Hist.: DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 13-2008, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-08; DOJ 12-2009, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-09
137-055-6020
Disbursement by Electronic Funds Transfer/Electronic Data Interchange
(1) In addition to the definitions found in OAR 137-055-5110 and 137-055-6010, the following terms have the meanings given below:
(a) "Individual" includes but is not limited to: a judgment creditor, obligee, caretaker, child attending school, or adult child.
(b) "Other entities" includes but is not limited to: private collection agencies and other state IV-D agencies.
(2) The Department of Justice (DOJ), Division of Child Support's (DCS) primary payment method, to any individual entitled to receive support payments, is electronic funds transfer (EFT) which may be by:
(a) Direct deposit to a checking or savings account that is located in a financial institution in the United States; or
(b) Stored value card (including but not limited to ReliaCard).
(3) Notwithstanding section (2), DCS will disburse support payments to individuals by check when specific exceptions apply:
(a) The individual does not have a social security number; or
(b) The individual's special circumstances, which DOJ will review on a case by case basis based on the criteria of whether the issuance of a paper check would be in the best interests of the child(ren).
(4) A request for exception must be made in writing.
(5) DCS will review the request for exception, determine whether to allow or deny the exception, and notify the requesting party of its decision within 30 days of receipt of the request.
(6) DCS's decision is final with regard to the request for exception, but the decision may be appealed as an other than contested case under ORS 183.484.
(7) DCS may disburse payments to other entities by EFT, electronic data interchange (EDI) or by paper check.
(8) Support payments for individuals who have contracted with a private collection agency will be handled pursuant to OAR 137-055-6025.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020; 180.345; 293.525

Stats. Implemented: ORS 293.525

Hist.: PWC 851(Temp), f. & ef. 8-11-77; Renumbered from 461-004-0518 to 461-035-0003 by AFS 3-1978, f. & ef. 1-6-78; AFS 88-1980, f. & ef. 12-10-80; AFS 23-1987(Temp), f. 6-19-87, ef. 7-1-87; AFS 60-1987, f. & ef. 11-4-87; AFS 31-1989, f. 6-6-89, cert. ef. 6-9-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0003; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0410; AFS 6-2000, f. 2-19-00, cert. ef. 3-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0248; AFS 23-2001, f. 10-2-01, cert. ef. 10-6-01; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; AFS 15-2002, f. 10-30-02, ef. 11-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6020; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6020; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 10-2004, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-04; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04; DOJ 5-2005, f. & cert. ef. 7-15-05; DOJ 9-2005, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07
137-055-6021
Distribution and Disbursement: General Provisions
The terms used in this rule
have the meanings set out in OAR 137-055-1020 and 137-055-6010.
(1) The Department of Justice
(DOJ) will disburse support payments within two business days after receipt if sufficient
information identifying the payee is provided, except:
(a) Support payments received
as a result of tax refund intercepts will be distributed and, as appropriate, disbursed
within thirty calendar days of receipt or, if applicable, within fifteen calendar
days of an administrative review or hearing. If the state is notified by the Secretary
of the U.S. Treasury (the Secretary) or the Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) that
an offset on a non-assistance case is from a refund based on a joint return, distribution
may be delayed, up to a maximum of six months, until notified by the Secretary or
DOR that the obligor’s spouse has been paid their share of the refund;
(b) Support payments received
from a garnishment will be disbursed as provided in OAR 137-055-4520;
(c) Support payments for future
support will be distributed and, as appropriate, disbursed as provided in section
(13) of this rule;
(d) Support payments for less
than five dollars;
(A) May be delayed until a future
payment is received which increases the payment amount due the family to at least
five dollars; or
(B) Will be retained by DOJ
if case circumstances are such that there is no possibility of a future payment,
unless the obligee:
(i) Has direct deposit;
(ii) Receives ReliaCard payments;
or
(iii) Requests issuance of a
check, if the obligee does not have direct deposit or has an exemption from receiving
ReliaCard payments.
(e) When an obligor contests
an order to withhold, funds will be disbursed pursuant to OAR 137-055-4160(5).
(2) DOJ will distribute support
payments received on behalf of a family who has never received assistance to the
family, first toward current support, then toward support arrears, not to exceed
the amount of arrears.
(3)(a) DOJ may send support
payments designated for the obligee to another person or entity caring for the child(ren)
if physical custody has changed from the obligee to the other person or entity;
however, prior to doing so, DOJ will require a notarized statement of authorization
from the obligee or a court order requiring such disbursement.
(b) DOJ will change the payee
to a private collection agent that the obligee has retained for support enforcement
services only in accordance with OAR 137-055-6025.
(c) DOJ will redirect payments
for the child who qualifies as a child attending school under ORS 107.108 and OAR
137-055-5110 only in accordance with 137-055-5110.
(4) Child support and spousal
support have equal priority in the distribution of payments.
(5) Current child support and
cash medical support will be distributed and disbursed on a prorated basis. To calculate
the prorated distribution for each case, the administrator will determine the amount
designated as child support and the amount designated as cash medical support, and
divide each by the total support obligation. For example: the total support obligation
is $400, of which $300 is child support and $100 is cash medical support; a payment
of $300 is received. In this example, the child support is 75 percent of the total
support obligation so $225 would be distributed and disbursed to child support;
cash medical support is 25 percent of the total support obligation so $75 would
be distributed and disbursed to cash medical support.
(6)(a) For Oregon support orders
or modifications, a prorated share (unless otherwise ordered) of current support
payments received within the month due will be disbursed directly to the child who
qualifies as a child attending school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110.
(b) Any arrears resulting from
unpaid current support to the child attending school will accrue to the child until
the child reaches the age of 21 or is otherwise emancipated, at which time arrears
will revert to, and be owed to, the obligee.
(c) Any payment received on
arrears will be disbursed in equal shares to the obligee and to the child if the
arrears accrued while the child was a child attending school, until the child reaches
the age of 21 or is otherwise emancipated.
(7) If the obligor has a current
support obligation for multiple children on a single case, those children have different
assistance statuses and the order does not indicate a specified amount per child,
current support payments will be prorated based upon the number of children and
their assistance status. Support payments in excess of current support for these
cases will be distributed and, as appropriate, disbursed as provided in OAR 137-055-6022.
(8) DOJ will retain the fee
charged by the Secretary for cases referred for Full Collection Services per OAR
137-055-4360 from any amount subsequently collected by the Secretary under this
program. DOJ will credit the obligor’s case for the full amount of collection
and distribute and, as appropriate, disburse the balance as provided in OAR 137-055-6022.
(9) Unless a federal tax refund
intercept collection is disbursed to assigned support, DOJ will retain the fee charged
by the Secretary. Despite the fee, DOJ will credit the obligor’s case for
the full amount of the collection. If the collection is disbursed to assigned support,
DOJ will pay the fee.
(10) Unless a state tax refund
intercept collection is disbursed to assigned support, DOJ will retain the fee charged
by the Department of Revenue. Despite the fee, DOJ will credit the obligor’s
case for the full amount of the collection. If the collection is disbursed to assigned
support, DOJ will pay the fee.
(11) Within each arrears type
in the sequence of payment distribution and disbursement in OAR 137-055-6022, 137-055-6023
or 137-055-6024, DOJ will apply the support payment to the oldest debt in each arrears
type.
(12) Any excess funds remaining
after arrears are paid in full will be processed as provided in OAR 137-055-6260
unless the obligor has elected in writing to apply the credit balance toward future
support as provided in section (13) of this rule.
(13) DOJ will distribute and,
as appropriate, disburse support payments representing future support on a monthly
basis when each such payment actually becomes due. No amounts may be applied to
future months unless current support and all arrears have been paid in full.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020, 25.610
& 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 18.645,
25.020 & 25.610

Hist.: DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2006,
f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 8-2007,
f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-6022
Distribution and Disbursement When Support Assigned
The terms used in this rule have the meanings set out in OAR 137-055-1020 and 137-055-6010.
(1) Except as provided in OAR 137-055-6021, 137-055-6023, 137-055-6024 and section (4) of this rule, the Department of Justice (DOJ) will distribute and, as appropriate, disburse support payments received on behalf of a family receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash payments in the following sequence:
(a) Current support to the state, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance;
(b) State’s permanently-assigned arrears, excluding advance payment (AVP) amounts owed to the state under OAR 137-055-6210, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance;
(c) State’s temporarily-assigned arrears, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance;
(d) AVP amounts;
(e) Family’s unassigned arrears during assistance period;
(f) Family’s unassigned arrears;
(g) Family’s conditionally-assigned arrears;
(h) If the total amount received is sufficient to pay the arrears in full, any remaining funds may be disbursed to a parentage testing fee if the support payment is from a state tax refund intercept, or if the payment meets the provisions in OAR 137-055-6023(1) & (2).
(2) Except as provided in OAR 137-055-6021, 137-055-6023, 137-055-6024 and section (4) of this rule, the Department of Justice (DOJ) will distribute and, as appropriate, disburse support payments received on behalf of a family with a child(ren) in foster care or in Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) custody in the following sequence:
(a) Current support to the state;
(b) State’s permanently-assigned arrears, excluding AVP amounts;
(c) State’s temporarily-assigned arrears;
(d) AVP amounts;
(e) Family’s unassigned arrears during assistance period;
(f) If the total amount received is sufficient to pay the arrears in full, any remaining funds may be disbursed to a parentage testing fee if the support payment is from a state tax refund intercept, or if the payment meets the provisions in OAR 137-055-6023(1) & (2).
(g) If the state is making foster care maintenance payments on behalf of the child(ren), support payments in excess of the maintenance payments, up to the total support obligation owed, will be reported as excess and be paid to Department of Human Services (DHS) to be used in the manner it determines will serve the best interests of the child(ren).
(h) If the child is in OYA custody, support payments in excess of unreimbursed assistance, up to the total support obligation owed, will be reported as excess and be paid to OYA.
(3) Except as provided in section (4) of this rule, DOJ will distribute and, as appropriate, disburse support payments received on behalf of a family who formerly received assistance in the following sequence:
(a) Current support to the family;
(b) Family’s unassigned arrears;
(c) Family’s conditionally-assigned arrears;
(d) State’s permanently-assigned arrears, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance;
(e) Family’s unassigned arrears during assistance period.
(f) If the total amount received is sufficient to pay the arrears in full, any remaining funds may be disbursed to a parentage testing fee if the support payment is from a state tax refund intercept, or if the payment meets the provisions in OAR 137-055-6023(1) & (2).
(4) DOJ will distribute and, as appropriate, disburse support payments received from federal tax refund intercepts in the following sequence:
(a) State’s permanently-assigned arrears, excluding AVP amounts, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance;
(b) State’s temporarily-assigned arrears, not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance;
(c) Family’s conditionally-assigned arrears not to exceed the amount of unreimbursed assistance;
(d) AVP amounts;
(e) Family’s unassigned arrears.
(5) Whenever support payments are assigned to the state, the state share of the payments will be either:
(a) Disbursed to DHS if funds were expended to provide foster care assistance to the family;
(b) Disbursed to OYA if funds were expended by OYA to provide assistance to a member of the family; or
(c) Retained by DOJ if funds were expended to provide TANF cash assistance to the family, except:
(A) As payments are received each month, DOJ will pass through to the obligee no more than $50 for each dependent child, up to a maximum of $200 per month, not to exceed the current support due that month.
(B) Current support collected from each obligor may only be passed through for the child(ren) of that obligor, even if the maximum pass-through has not been met.
(6) Whenever support payments are assigned to a Tribe, the Tribe’s share of the payments will be disbursed to the Tribe as provided in 42 USC 657.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020 & 25.150

Hist.: DOJ 9-2005, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 13-2008, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-08; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10
137-055-6023
Exceptions to Distribution and Disbursement
(1) Notwithstanding
the provisions of OAR 137-055-6021 to 137-055-6024, support payments received as
a result of a personal or real property judgment lien may be distributed and disbursed
to pay a parentage test judgment.
(2) Notwithstanding
OAR 137-055-6024, DOJ may distribute and, as appropriate, disburse support payments
to multiple cases as directed when the obligor or a responding jurisdiction designates
in writing the amounts to be distributed and, as appropriate, disbursed to each
case, if the designation is made at the time of payment.
(3) Notwithstanding
OAR 137-055-6024, DOJ will distribute and, as appropriate, disburse support payments
to one case, rather than proportionately, when:
(a) The
obligor designates in writing a specific case for which payment is to be applied;
(b) The
support payment resulted from a garnishment, issued pursuant to ORS chapter 18,
on a particular case;
(c) The
support payment resulted from the sale or disposition of a specific piece of property
against which a court awarded a specific obligee a judgment lien for child support;
(d) The
support payment resulted from a contempt order in a particular case; or
(e) Any
other judicial order requires distribution and, as appropriate, disbursement to
a particular case.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 25.020 & 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.020

Hist.:
DOJ 9-2005, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06;
DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-6024
Distribution and Disbursement on Multiple Cases
The terms used in this rule have the
meanings set out in OAR 137-055-1020 and 137-055-6010.
(1) When an obligor has multiple
support cases, the distribution and, as appropriate, disbursement sequence for each
case will be as provided in OAR 137-055-6022, but the Department of Justice (DOJ)
will distribute and, as appropriate, disburse support payments to each of the multiple
cases as follows:
(2) When withholder remits
a single payment that is a combined payment intended to comply with more than one
income withholding order against the obligor, and the obligor’s income is
sufficient for the withholder to fully comply with each order to withhold income
issued pursuant to ORS chapter 25, DOJ will ensure that the amount distributed and,
as appropriate, disbursed to each case is consistent with the withholding order’s
limitations. However, when the obligor is paid more than once a month, for those
months in which there is an extra pay period due to the manner in which pay periods
fall during the year, the payment may be distributed and, as appropriate, disbursed
to each case when it is received, even if the monthly withholding limitation has
already been reached.
(3) When withholder remits
a single payment that is a combined payment intended to comply with more than one
income withholding order against the obligor, but the obligor's income is not sufficient
for the withholder to fully comply with each order to withhold income issued pursuant
to ORS Chapter 25, DOJ will distribute and, as appropriate, disburse the amount
received as follows:
(a) If the amount is not
sufficient to pay the current support due on all of the obligor’s support
cases for which an order to withhold is in effect, each withholding case will receive
a share of the total amount withheld determined by dividing the amount of current
support remaining due on the case by the total combined amount of current support
remaining due on all of the obligor’s support cases to which the proceeds
of the order to withhold will be applied, and then multiplying the resulting percentage
by the total amount withheld.
(b) If the amount withheld
from the obligor's income is sufficient to pay the remaining current support due
on all cases, but is not enough to fully comply with the order to withhold on all
cases where arrears are owed, the amount received will be distributed and, as appropriate,
disbursed as follows:
(A) Current support to each
withholding case;
(B) Equally to each withholding
case where arrears are owed. However, no case may receive more than the maximum
allowable withholding amount for that case pursuant to ORS 25.414 or, as appropriate,
under an expanded income withholding pursuant to 25.387. Any remaining funds will
be equally distributed and, as appropriate, disbursed to the obligor’s other
cases. No case may receive more than the total amount of current support and arrears
owed on that case at the time this distribution and disbursement is made.
(4) When support payments
are received from federal tax refund intercepts the payment will first be processed
under OAR 137-055-6021(9). If the payment is not sufficient to pay the full arrears
amount on each case certified for federal offset, DOJ will distribute and, as appropriate,
disburse the amount received as follows:
(a) If the total amount received
is not sufficient to pay the state’s permanently-assigned arrears on all of
the obligor’s certified cases, each certified case with permanently-assigned
arrears will receive an equal share. However, no case may receive more than the
state’s permanently-assigned arrears on that case.
(b) If the total amount is
sufficient to pay the state’s permanently-assigned arrears on all certified
cases, but is not enough to pay in full all the state’s temporarily-assigned
or the family’s conditionally-assigned arrears on all of the obligor’s
certified cases, the amount received will be distributed and, as appropriate, disbursed
as follows:
(A) State’s permanently-assigned
arrears to each certified case;
(B) An equal share of the
remaining funds for each certified case with state’s temporarily-assigned
or family’s conditionally-assigned arrears. However, no case may receive more
than the state’s temporarily-assigned or the family’s conditionally-assigned
arrears on that case.
(c) If the total amount is
sufficient to pay the state’s permanently assigned arrears and the state’s
temporarily-assigned or the family’s conditionally-assigned arrears on all
certified cases, but is not enough to pay in full the family’s unassigned
arrears on all of the obligor’s certified cases, the amount received will
be distributed and, as appropriate, disbursed as follows:
(A) State’s permanently-assigned
arrears to each certified case;
(B) State’s temporarily-assigned
or the family’s conditionally-assigned arrears to each certified case;
(C) An equal share of the
remaining funds for each certified case with family’s unassigned arrears.
However, no case may receive more than the total amount of arrears owed on that
case at the time this distribution or disbursement is made.
(5) When a single writ of
garnishment is issued for two or more cases as provided in ORS 18.645, DOJ will
distribute and, as appropriate, disburse support payments only among the cases listed
in the writ of garnishment and in the manner provided in section (6) of this rule.
(6) Except as provided in
OAR 137-055-6023, DOJ will distribute and, as appropriate, disburse all other support
payments received, including support payments received from state tax refund intercepts,
as follows:
(a) When support payments
are received from state tax refund intercepts, the payment will first be processed
under OAR 137-055-6021(10).
(b) If the total amount is
not sufficient to pay the current support due on all of the obligor’s support
cases, each case will receive a share of the total amount received determined by
dividing the amount of current support remaining due on the case by the total combined
amount of current support remaining due on all of the obligor’s support cases,
and then multiplying the resulting percentage by the total amount received.
(c) If the amount received
is sufficient to pay the remaining current support due on all cases, but is not
enough to pay in full all cases where arrears are owed, the amount received will
be distributed and, as appropriate, disbursed as follows:
(A) Current support to each
case;
(B) Equally to each case
where arrears are owed. However, no case may receive more than the total amount
of current support and arrears owed on that case at the time this distribution and
disbursement is made. Any remaining funds will be equally distributed and disbursed
to the obligor’s other cases.
(d) If the total amount received
is sufficient to pay the arrears in full on all cases, any remaining funds may be
distributed to parentage testing fees if the support payment is from a state tax
refund intercept, or if the payment meets the provisions in OAR 137-055-6023(1)
& (2).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020 & 180.345
Stats. Implemented: ORS 18.645,
25.020, 25.387, 25.414 & 25.610
Hist.: DOJ 9-2005, f. &
cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07,
cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 9-2014, f. & cert.
ef. 5-22-14
137-055-6025
Distribution of Support Payments to Private Collection Agencies
(1) For purposes of this rule, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Collection agency" means a collection agency as defined by ORS 697.005;
(b) "Enforcement action" means any action taken by a collection agency to ensure payment of support by an obligor, including but not limited to contact for the purposes of discussing payments by the collection agency in person or through mail, e-mail or telephone with the obligor, members of the obligor's household or the obligor's employer. "Enforcement action" does not mean investigative and locate services provided by a collection agency.
(c) "Legally entitled to" means support payments which the Division of Child Support (DCS) is required to disburse to the obligee pursuant to OAR 137-055-6010, but does not include support payments that DCS is required to disburse to the child attending school pursuant to ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110.
(2) When the Oregon Child Support Program (CSP) is notified by a collection agency or an obligee that the obligee has entered into an agreement with a collection agency, the administrator will send to the obligee an authorization form developed pursuant to section (7) of this rule.
(3) Before DCS may adjust the payment records and begin forwarding support payments to the collection agency pursuant to section (4) of this rule, the obligee must submit a signed and notarized authorization form to the CSP with the following information:
(a) The child support case number;
(b) The obligee's and obligor's full names;
(c) The names of the children on the child support case for whom the obligee is entitled to receive support; and
(d) The name and address of the collection agency to which payments should be sent.
(4) Upon receipt of a completed authorization form DCS will:
(a) Adjust the child support case record for disbursement of support payments to the collection agency. If support payments are currently being disbursed to a different collection agency, DCS will adjust the child support case record for disbursement of support payments to the collection agency for which the obligee has most recently provided authorization;
(b) Send the notice developed pursuant to subsection (7)(b) of this rule to the other parties;
(c) Credit the obligor's account for the full amount of each support payment received by DCS; and
(d) Disburse support payments received, to which the obligee is legally entitled, to the collection agency.
(5)(a) DCS may stop disbursing support payments to a collection agency and reinstate disbursements to the obligee if:
(A) The obligee notifies the CSP that the agreement with the collection agency has been terminated;
(B) The obligee requests that the CSP stop disbursing support payments to the collection agency;
(C) The administrator is made aware that the collection agency is not in compliance with the provisions of section (8) of this rule; or
(D) The Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) notifies the Department of Justice that the collection agency is in violation of its rules.
(b) DCS will stop disbursing child support payments to the collection agency only after the child support case record has been adjusted following the date that notification from the obligee was received or the date the administrator is otherwise made aware that the collection agency is not in compliance with section (8) of this rule or rules adopted by DCBS. DCS will, at no time, be responsible for returning support payments to the obligee that were disbursed to the collection agency prior to the child support case record having been adjusted following the date that notification from the obligee was received.
(6) The administrator may use information disclosed by the collection agency to provide support enforcement services under ORS 25.080.
(7) The CSP will develop:
(a) An authorization form to be sent to an obligee when the obligee or the collection agency notifies CSP that the obligee has entered into an agreement with a collection agency. The form will include a notice to the obligee printed in type size equal to at least 12-point type that the obligee may be eligible for support enforcement services from the CSP without paying the interest or fee that is typically charged by a collection agency; and
(b) A form to be sent to the other parties to the case when DCS has been given authorization by the obligee to disburse support payments to a collection agency.
(8) A collection agency to which the obligee has provided authorization for DCS to disburse support payments:
(a) May only provide investigative and locate services to the obligee unless written authorization is received from the administrator as provided in section (9) of this rule;
(b) May disclose relevant information from services provided under subsection (a) of this section to the administrator for purposes of providing support enforcement services under ORS 25.080;
(c) May not charge interest or a fee for services exceeding 29 percent of each support payment received by the collection agency to which the obligee is legally entitled unless the collection agency, if allowed by the terms of the agreement between the collection agency and the obligee, hires an attorney to perform legal services on behalf of the obligee;
(d) Will include in the agreement with the obligee a notice that provides information on the fees, penalties, termination and duration of the agreement; and
(e) Will report in writing to DCS the full amount of any payment collected as a result of an enforcement action taken within ten days of disbursing the payment to the obligee.
(9) Upon request, the administrator may provide written authorization to the collection agency to initiate enforcement action to collect the support award. The authorization may:
(a) Authorize a specific enforcement action only; or
(b) Authorize any enforcement action until further notice from the administrator.
(10) A power of attorney given to a collection agency by an obligee does not change the rights and responsibilities of the parties or a collection agency as described in ORS 25.020 or this rule.
(11) The administrator will not disclose any information from a child support record to a collection agency except as permitted in OAR 137-055-1140.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020; 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020

Hist.: AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6025; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6025; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07
137-055-6040
Right to Hearing to Contest Amount of Assigned Support
(1) A party who wants to contest the amount of support that the Division of Child Support (DCS) claims is assigned to the state on the party's child support case may do so by filing a written objection with DCS.
(2) Upon receiving a written objection, DCS will conduct an administrative review of the case to verify the correct amount of support claimed as assigned and will make any necessary corrections or adjustments to this amount as determined in the review.
(a) DCS will complete its review and make a determination within 45 days from the date of receiving the written objection.
(b) DCS will notify the parties, in writing, of this determination and of the right to contest the determination before an administrative law judge. The party must request such hearing in writing within 30 days of the date that DCS sends the written notice of its determination.
(3) Prior to any such hearing:
(a) DCS may contact or meet with the party to explain how DCS has computed the amount of support assigned to the state on the party's case.
(b) The party may withdraw their request for a hearing by notifying DCS in writing.
(4) Once a determination has been made, DCS will not conduct further review of the amount of arrears that DCS reports as assigned to the state unless:
(a) DCS has made an accounting adjustment to the amount that DCS reports as assigned to the state, and a party then files a written objection to this adjusted amount; or
(b) The assistance status of the family has changed since the date of the last administrative review conducted under this rule, and a party then files a written objection.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020

Hist.: AFS 27-2000, f. & cert. ef. 11-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0250; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6040; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6040; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06
137-055-6120
Satisfaction of Arrears for Less Than Full Payment
The Division of Child Support (DCS)
may satisfy all or any portion of child support arrears that are assigned to the
State of Oregon or to any other jurisdiction, subject to the following:
(1) DCS may satisfy all or
any portion of assigned arrears only if one or more of the following circumstances
apply:
(a) The arrears are a substantial
hardship to the paying parent or that parent's household; or
(b) A compromise of amounts
owing will result in greater collection on the case, considering the maximum amount
that DCS could reasonably expect to collect from the obligor if no compromise was
made and the probable costs of collecting that maximum amount; or
(c) The obligor has entered
into an agreement with DCS to take steps to:
(A) Enhance the obligor's
ability to pay child support; or
(B) Enhance the obligor's
relationship with the child or children for whom the obligor owes the arrears.
(d) An error or legal defect
has occurred that indicates a reduction may be appropriate.
(2) If all or any portion
of the assigned arrears are the states temporarily-assigned arrears as defined in
OAR 137-055-6010, DCS may satisfy the amount only if the obligee consents and signs
the appropriate "satisfaction of support judgment" form.
(3) If all or any portion
of the assigned arrears are assigned to another jurisdiction, DCS may satisfy that
assigned amount only with the approval of that jurisdiction.
(4) DCS will not sign any
satisfaction for less than full payment of arrears until:
(a) The obligor has paid
the full amount agreed to as appropriate consideration, and the obligor's payment
instrument has cleared the appropriate financial institutions; or
(b) DCS has determined that
the obligor has satisfactorily met, or is complying with, any agreement made with
DCS pursuant to this rule.
(5) DCS will record a summary
of each agreement to satisfy arrears for less than full payment on the appropriate
electronic file on the case.
(6) Any satisfaction executed
under this rule will be made pursuant to, and in full compliance with, ORS 18.228.
(7) The provisions of this
rule notwithstanding, the obligee may satisfy all or any portion of unassigned arrears
due the obligee, pursuant to OAR 137-055-5220.
(8) Nothing in this rule
precludes the administrator from negotiating a satisfaction of arrears due or potentially
due the obligee for less than full payment by the obligor, but such satisfaction
will take effect only when the obligee consents and signs a "satisfaction of support
judgment" pursuant to OAR 137-055-5220.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345
Stats. Implemented: ORS 18.400,
25.020 & 25.080
Hist.: AFS 77-1982, f. 8-5-82,
ef. 9-1-82; AFS 93-1982, f. & ef. 10-18-82; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert.
ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0025; AFS 11-2000, f. 4-28-00, cert. ef. 5-1-00;
AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0150; DOJ 6-2003(Temp),
f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6120; DOJ 10-2003,
f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6120; DOJ 9-2005, f. &
cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11; DOJ 7-2014,
f. & cert. ef. 4-1-14
137-055-6200
Adjusting Case Arrears When an Error is Identified
The purpose of this rule is
to set out what the administrator will do when an error is identified which requires
adjusting the arrears of a case.
(1) “Complete payment
record” means that the Division of Child Support (DCS) has kept the payment
record for the support judgment from the date of the first support payment required
under the judgment, or the obligee or the administrator established arrears for
the time period when DCS did not keep the payment record on the case.
(2) A notice will only be sent
as provided for in this rule when the amount of arrears to be adjusted is at least
$5.
(3) If the error occurred within
the current billing cycle, the administrator will adjust the arrears on the case
record.
(4) If DCS has a complete payment
record for the support payment judgment and the error occurred prior to the current
billing cycle, the administrator will adjust the arrears on the case record and
send a notice to the parties advising of:
(a) The change in the case arrears; and
(b) The right to, within 30
days of the date of the notice from DCS, submit a written request for an administrative
review to determine if DCS’s record-keeping and accounting related to the
adjustment of arrears is correct.
(5) DCS will conduct the administrative
review within 30 days of receiving the party’s written request, and will send
written notification to the parties of the results of the review. The notice will
include a citation of the parties’ rights to appeal the decision under ORS
183.484.
(6) If DCS does not have a complete
payment record for the support payment judgment and the error occurred prior to
the current billing cycle, but within the previous 180 days, the administrator will:
(a) Send a notice to the parties
that the administrator will adjust the arrears on the case record as indicated in
the notice if none of the parties object within a 30-day period following the date
of the notice;
(b) If none of the parties object
within 30 days of the notice, the administrator will adjust the arrears on the case
record as indicated in the notice;
(c) If any party objects within
30 days of the notice, the administrator will establish the arrears under the process
found in ORS 25.167 or 416.429.
(7) If DCS does not have a complete
payment record for the support payment judgment and the error occurred over 180
days ago, the administrator will establish the arrears under the process found in
ORS 25.167 or 416.429.
(8) Notwithstanding any other
provision of this rule, if under a contingency order the error is due to a failure
to accurately reflect on the case record the periods of residence of the child in
state care, the administrator will adjust the arrears on the case record and notify
the obligor unless the Department of Human Services or Oregon Youth Authority directs
otherwise.
(9) On a closed case:
(a) If all the arrears to be
added to the case are assigned to the state, the administrator will not open the
case if it is for a period of less than four months of accrual or less than $500;
(b) If all the arrears to be
added to the case are assigned to the state and the arrears are for a period of
a least four months or $500, the administrator will open the case and establish
the arrears under the process found in ORS 25.167 or 416.429;
(c) If any of the arrears to
be added to the case are owed to the obligee, the administrator will send a notice
to the obligee and, if the arrears are for at least $25, ask if the obligee wants
enforcement of the arrears. If the obligee requests enforcement, the administrator
will open the case and establish the arrears under the process found in ORS 25.167
or 416.429;
(d) If any of the arrears to
be added to the case are owed to an adult child as defined in OAR 137-055-5110,
the administrator will send a notice to the adult child but will not open the case
for the adult child until the adult child qualifies as a child attending school
under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110;
(e) Except as otherwise provided
in OAR 137-055-4455 or 137-055-6220, if the error was due to an accounting error
of the administrator and the adjustment to arrears will cause a credit balance,
the administrator will return the excess amount to the obligor if the amount is
at least $5 and the payment was applied to a state account; or
(f) If the error was not due
to an accounting error of the administrator and the adjustment to arrears will cause
a credit balance, the administrator will send an informational notice to the parties.
(10) Notwithstanding section
(6) or section (9), on any case in which the applicant for services has requested
non-enforcement and the error only affects the amount of arrears owed to the obligee,
the administrator will update the case record appropriately.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020

Hist.: DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03,
cert. ef. 10-1-03; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ
1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 8-2007,
f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 12-2009, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-09; DOJ 13-2011,
f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-6210
Advance Payments of Child
Support
(1) “Advance payment”
means:
(a) The Department of Justice
(DOJ) has transmitted money to an obligee or to a person or entity authorized to
receive support payments;
(b) The amount does not exceed
the total arrears available for assignment to the state;
(c)(A) DOJ has applied the money
incorrectly through no fault or error of the payee; or
(B) The amount transmitted by
DOJ is attributable in whole or in part to a tax refund offset collection, all or
part of which has been reclaimed by the Internal Revenue Service or the Oregon Department
of Revenue; and
(d) The payment is not the result
of a dishonored check.
(2) If the obligor is deceased
and without assets or an estate, the provisions of this rule do not apply, but the
provisions of OAR 137-055-6220 apply.
(3) The person who receives
an advance payment owes the amount of the advance payment to DOJ.
(4) Instead of directly collecting
the amount of the advance payment from the person who received it, the amount will
be removed from the arrears owed to the payee, temporarily-assigned arrears or conditionally-assigned
arrears and will be assigned to the state as permanently-assigned arrears under
OAR 137-055-6010. DOJ will notify the payee in writing of the:
(a) Amount to be collected as
permanently-assigned arrears;
(b) Right to object and request
an administrative review.
(5) When an objection is received,
DOJ will conduct an administrative review and notify the payee in writing of the:
(a) Determination resulting
from the review; and
(b) Right to challenge the determination
by judicial review under ORS 183.484.
(6) Notwithstanding the provisions
of section (4) of this rule, designation of permanently-assigned arrears to recover
advance payments does not affect whether a case is assigned to DOJ as provided in
OAR 137-055-2020 or a district attorney office as provided in 137-055-2040.
(7) For the purposes of this
rule, a “dishonored check” is not one which has been paid or made negotiable.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020

Hist.: DOJ 10-2004, f. &
cert. ef. 7-1-04; DOJ 16-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-3-05; DOJ 9-2005, f. &
cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06,
cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 14-2008(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 10-7-08 thru 3-29-09; DOJ 1-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-09
137-055-6220
Recovery of Overpayments
on Support Accounts
(1) A child support overpayment
in favor of the State of Oregon is created when:
(a) The Department of Justice
(DOJ) has transmitted money to an obligee, to a person or entity authorized to receive
support payments or to an obligor, and that amount:
(A) Was transmitted in error
or is attributable in whole or in part to a tax refund offset collection, all or
part of which has been reclaimed by the Internal Revenue Service or the Oregon Department
of Revenue; and
(B) Does not qualify as an advance
payment under OAR 137-055-6210 or as payment for future support under 137-055-6021(13);
or
(b) DOJ receives a check from
an obligor, other payor on behalf of the obligor, or withholder, transmits the appropriate amount from that check to the payee, and that check is dishonored.
(2) For overpayments described in subsection
(1)(a), sections (3) through (8) of this rule apply. For overpayments described
in subsection (1)(b), sections (9) through (12) of this rule apply.
(3) DOJ will determine a threshold
amount for which attempts to recover the overpayment will occur. In determining
the threshold, DOJ will consider the cost of:
(a) Staff time in processing
the overpayment collection request; and
(b) An administrative hearing
and the average number of cases requesting a hearing.
(4) When a notice is issued
under ORS 25.125 to a person or entity described in subsection (1)(a), DOJ will
include a statement that the person or entity:
(a) Must respond within 30 days
from the date of the notice to object and request an administrative review; and
(b) If appropriate, may voluntarily
assign any future support to repay the overpayment.
(5) If the person or entity
described in subsection (1)(a) requests an administrative review, DOJ will conduct
the administrative review within 30 days after receiving the request and notify
the person or entity of the results of the review.
(6) Notice of the results of
the administrative review will include a statement that the person or entity described
in subsection (1)(a) must respond within 30 days from the date of the notice to
object and request an administrative hearing.
(7) If the person or entity
described in subsection (1)(a) files a written objection or request for hearing
within 30 days, an administrative law judge shall then hear the objection.
(a) An order by an administrative
law judge is final.
(b) The person or entity described
in subsection (1)(a) may appeal the decision of an administrative law judge to the
circuit court for a hearing de novo. The appeal shall be by a petition for review,
filed within 60 days after the date that the final hearing order has been mailed.
(8) If a person or entity described
in subsection (1)(a) fails to file a written request for administrative review,
objection or request for hearing, fails to voluntarily assign future support, or
if an order setting the overpayment amount is received from an administrative law
judge, DOJ may refer the overpayment for collection as provided in ORS 293.231.
(9) When a notice is issued
to an obligor or withholder under ORS 25.125(5), DOJ will include a statement that
the obligor or withholder must respond within 30 days of the date of the notice
and request an administrative review.
(10) If the obligor or withholder
requests an administrative review, DOJ will conduct the administrative review within
30 days after receiving the request and notify the obligor or withholder of the
results of the review.
(11) The obligor or withholder
may appeal the result of the administrative review as provided in ORS 183.484.
(12) If the obligor or withholder
fails to request an administrative review or if the result of an administrative
review is that an overpayment occurred, DOJ may refer the overpayment for collection
from the obligor or withholder as provided in ORS 293.231.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.125, 180.345
& 293

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020
& 25.125

Hist.: AFS 23-1983(Temp), f.
& ef. 5-18-83; AFS 53-1983, f. 10-28-83, ef. 11-1-83; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89,
cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0045; AFS 3-1992, f. 1-31-92, cert. ef.
2-1-92; AFS 16-1997, f. 9-2-97, cert. ef. 10-1-97; AFS 13-1999, f. 10-29-99, cert.
ef. 11-1-99; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0265;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6220;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6220; DOJ 10-2004,
f. & cert. ef. 7-1-04; DOJ 16-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-3-05; DOJ 9-2005,
f. & cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 6-2006, f.
& cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-6240
Dishonored Payments on
Support Accounts
When the Department of Justice
(DOJ) receives a check from an obligor, withholder, or other payor on behalf of
the obligor and that check is then dishonored, DOJ will:
(1) Remove credit for the dishonored
amount from the obligor's case record;
(2) Hold all future payments
by check from that payor for 18 working days, or until the check clears the payor's
financial institution, before forwarding payment to the obligee. DOJ may waive this
requirement after a one-year period if no further payments from that payor have
been dishonored, or if the dishonored payment was dishonored for reasons that DOJ
has determined were beyond the payor's control, such as an error on the part of
the financial institution or on the part of DOJ.
(3) DOJ may assess a fee not
to exceed $35 against the payor of the check.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.125 &
180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020;
25.125 & 30.701

Hist.: AFS 53-1983, f. 10-28-83,
ef. 11-1-83; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0046;
AFS 16-1997, f. 9-2-97, cert. ef. 10-1-97; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00,
Renumbered from 461-195-0270; AFS 4-2001, f. 3-28-01, cert. ef. 4-1-01; DOJ 6-2003(Temp),
f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6240; DOJ 10-2003,
f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6240; DOJ 16-2004, f. 12-30-04,
cert. ef. 1-3-05; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-6260
Return of Overcollected
Support Amounts
(1) When the Division of Child
Support (DCS) receives a support payment on an account for which no current order
exists for ongoing support, DCS will apply the payment to any arrears the obligor
may owe on the account. If any excess funds remain from the payment after any arrears
are paid in full, and DCS has not forwarded the excess amount to the payee, DCS
will return the excess amount to the obligor within 30 days of discovering the overcollection.
(2) On any account for which
an ongoing support obligation exists, and DCS receives a payment that exceeds the
total amount due for current support and arrears and has not forwarded the excess
amount to the payee, DCS will return the excess amount to the obligor under the
following circumstances:
(a) When an income withholding
order exists and the withholder does not receive or implement a notice from the
administrator to reduce withholding to the amount of the current ongoing support
obligation in a timely manner, such as may occur after all arrears are collected
or after the ongoing support obligation is modified downward;
(b) When a state or federal
tax refund is intercepted in an amount exceeding the amount owed for arrears; or
(c) When TANF cash assistance
is being granted to the obligee or children on the support case, unless the obligor
and the administrator agree otherwise.
(3) Notwithstanding section
(1), on any account for which no current order exists for ongoing support, when
a withholder sends a payment that exceeds the total amount that should have been
withheld under ORS 25.414(1)(d), there is no order for expanded withholding under
25.387, and DCS has not forwarded the excess amount to the obligee, DCS will return
the excess amount to the obligor.
(4) When DCS receives a payment
that exceeds the total amount due for current support and arrears and has forwarded
the excess amount to the payee, DCS will notify the parties in writing within 30
days of discovering the overcollection that:
(a) A credit balance in the
obligor's favor has resulted from the overcollection; and
(b) The obligee or child attending
school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110 may, within 30 days of the date of
the notice from DCS, submit a written request to DCS for an administrative review
to determine if DCS's record-keeping and accounting related to calculation of the
credit balance is correct.
(5) DCS will
conduct the administrative review within 30 days of receiving the party’s
written request, and will send written notification to the parties of the results
of the review.
(6) In any case where DCS is required to
return overcollected funds to an obligor under section (2) of this rule, the obligor
may elect to forego the return of some or all of the overcollected funds and to
instead use any credit balance amount thus established under this rule to offset
the obligor's future ongoing support obligation, genetic test fees or arrears. An
obligor wishing to elect this option must notify DCS before DCS has returned such
funds to the obligor.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020, 25.125
& 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020
& 25.125

Hist.: AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97,
cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0272;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6260;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6260; DOJ 1-2006,
f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 6-2006,
f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 13-2011,
f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12
137-055-6280
Refund of Improper Tax Refund Collection
(1) Whenever a federal or Oregon tax refund owed to a support obligor has been withheld to pay support arrears and that withholding was made in error or overcollects the amount owed, the Division of Child Support (DCS) shall refund the amount withheld in error or overcollected.
(2) DCS may authorize the amount withheld, or any part thereof, to be refunded to the obligor by means of an advance payment from its administrative account. Such advance payment shall be made:
(a) Immediately when the amount withheld by the taxing agency was improperly withheld as a result of an error by the administrator, and the obligor provides a copy of the notice that the tax refund was being withheld; or
(b) The child support arrears certified for purposes of tax refund intercept no longer exist or are less than the amount withheld from the tax refund; and
(c) Thirty (30) days have elapsed since the date of the notice to the obligor that the tax refund was being withheld and DCS has not received the obligor's tax refund from the taxing agency; and
(d) The obligor provides a copy of that notice to the administrator.
(3) When DCS has made an advance payment of a refund to the obligor it will, upon receipt of the tax refund from the taxing agency, retain that refund up to the amount refunded to the obligor to reimburse its administrative account.
(4) If the DCS has already forwarded to the payee, part or all of the amount withheld, DCS may establish an overpayment against the payee for that amount, not to exceed the amount refunded to the obligor, pursuant to OAR 137-055-6220.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020, 25.610, 25.625, 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020, 25.610, 25.620 & 25.625

Hist.: AFS 35-1982(Temp), f. & ef. 4-27-82; AFS 77-1982, f. 8-5-82, ef. 9-1-82; AFS 93-1982, f. & ef. 10-18-82; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0030; AFS 26-1994, f. & cert. ef. 11-3-94; AFS 7-1997, f. & cert. ef. 6-13-97; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0220; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6280; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6280; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06
137-055-7020
Intergovernmental
Cases
OAR 137-055-7020
through 137-055-7180 constitute the guidelines for processing intergovernmental
child support cases receiving support enforcement services under ORS 25.080.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.729, 110.303 – 110.452

Hist.:
AFS 24-1994, f. 10-26-94, cert. ef. 12-1-94; AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97, cert. ef.
1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-2300;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7020;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7020; DOJ 3-2011(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-7040
Central
Registry
(1) The central
registry required by 45 CFR 303.7 is established within the Department of Justice,
Division of Child Support. It is responsible for receiving, distributing and responding
to inquiries on all incoming intergovernmental requests.
(2) Within
ten working days of receipt of a request from an initiating agency or other petitioner,
the central registry will:
(a) Review
the documentation submitted with the request to determine completeness;
(b) Forward
the request for necessary action either to the State Parent Locator Service for
location services or to the administrator for processing;
(c) Acknowledge
receipt of the request and ask the initiating agency or other petitioner to provide
any missing documentation; and
(d) Inform
the initiating agency or other petitioner where the request has been sent for action.
(3) If
the documentation received with a request is inadequate, the central registry will
forward the request to the appropriate branch or DA office to take appropriate action
pending receipt of additional documentation.
(4) The
central registry must respond to inquiries about case status within five working
days from receipt of the request.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.729, 110.303 – 110.452

Hist.:
AFS 24-1994, f. 10-26-94, cert. ef. 12-1-94; AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97, cert. ef.
1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-2310;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7040;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7040; DOJ 3-2011(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-7060
Initiating
Jurisdiction Responsibilities — General Provisions
(1) The administrator
will use a one-state process, when appropriate, to establish, enforce, or modify
a support order, or to determine parentage.
(2) The
administrator will determine:
(a) Whether
one order exists or multiple orders exist for the same child and obligor;
(b) If
there are multiple orders, which jurisdiction should complete a controlling order
determination; and
(c) Whether
a one-state process is appropriate.
(3) Within
20 calendar days of completing the actions in section (1) and after receipt of any
documentation necessary to process a case, the administrator will:
(a) Refer
a request for a controlling order determination and reconciliation of arrears, if
needed, to the appropriate jurisdiction;
(b) If
a one-state process is not appropriate, use federally prescribed forms and procedures
to refer the case to the appropriate central registry, tribal IV-D program or central
authority of a country for appropriate action.
(4) The
administrator will send any requested additional information within 30 calendar
days of receipt of the request or notify the responding jurisdiction when the information
will be provided.
(5) The
administrator will notify the responding jurisdiction within ten working days of
receipt of new case information.
(6) The
administrator will notify the responding jurisdiction at least annually, and upon
request, of interest charges, if any, owed on a support order issued by this state.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 25.729, 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.729, 110.303 – 110.452

Hist.:
AFS 24-1994, f. 10-26-94, cert. ef. 12-1-94; AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97, cert. ef.
1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-2320;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7060;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7060; DOJ 3-2011(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-7100
Direct
Income Withholding
(1) The administrator
may send direct income withholding to an employer located in another jurisdiction
when:
(a) The
employer is located in a jurisdiction which has adopted the direct withholding provisions
of UIFSA; and
(b) Any
intergovernmental request about the same obligor and child is withdrawn and the
responding agency is instructed to close their case; and
(c) If
required under OAR 137-055-7180, a controlling order has been determined.
(2) The
administrator must ensure that the obligor is given the notice required by ORS 25.399.
(3) If
the obligor files a written contest to the income withholding order in the employer's
state, the administrator may dismiss the direct income withholding order and initiate
an intergovernmental request for registration and enforcement.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.729 & 110.394

Hist.:
AFS 24-1994, f. 10-26-94, cert. ef. 12-1-94; AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97, cert. ef.
1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-2340;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7100;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7100; DOJ 3-2011(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-7120
Responding Jurisdiction
Responsibilities — General Provisions
(1) Within 75
calendar days of receipt of an Intergovernmental Child Support Enforcement Transmittal
Form, a UIFSA Action Request Form or other form and documentation from the Oregon
central registry, the administrator will:
(a) Provide
location services in accordance with 45 CFR 303.3 if appropriate;
(b) If
unable to proceed with the case because of inadequate documentation, request any
necessary additions or corrections;
(c) If
the documentation received with a case is inadequate, process the case to the extent
possible pending response from the initiating agency.
(2) Within
ten working days of locating the obligor in a different locale within the state,
if appropriate, the administrator will forward the form and documentation to the
appropriate office and notify the initiating agency.
(3) Within
ten working days of locating the obligor outside of Oregon, the administrator will:
(a) Return
the form and documentation, including the new location, to the initiating agency,
or if directed by that agency, forward the form and documentation to the central
registry where the obligor has been located; and
(b) Document
the Oregon case record.
(4) Within
30 days of receiving a request, the administrator must provide any order and payment
record information requested by another state’s child support program for
a controlling order determination, or advise the requesting state when the information
will be provided.
(5) The
administrator must provide to the initiating agency timely advance notice of any
formal hearings which may result in establishment or modification of an order.
(6) The
administrator must notify the initiating agency within ten working days of receipt
of new information on a case.
(7) The
administrator must cooperate with requests for the following limited services:
(a) Quick
locate;
(b) Service
of process;
(c) Assistance
with discovery;
(d) Assistance
with genetic testing;
(e) Teleconferenced
hearings;
(f) Administrative
reviews;
(g) High-volume
automated administrative enforcement in interstate cases under 42 USC 666(a)(14);
and
(h) Copies
of court orders and pay records; and may cooperate with other requests for limited
services.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.729, 110.303 – 110.452

Hist.:
AFS 24-1994, f. 10-26-94, cert. ef. 12-1-94; AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97, cert. ef.
1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-2350;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7120;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7120; DOJ 3-2011(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-7140
Oregon
as Responding Jurisdiction — Establishing, Enforcing and Modifying Support
and Medical Insurance Orders
(1) The registering
tribunal under UIFSA is the circuit court of Oregon. This designation does not preclude
action by other tribunals.
(2) Administrative
contested case hearings will be conducted by an administrative law judge pursuant
to the provisions of ORS 416.427.
(3) Whenever
allowed under the law, the administrator will use the provisions of ORS 416.400
to 416.470 in conjunction with the provisions of ORS chapter 110 to establish, enforce
and modify support orders.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.729, 110.303 – 110.452

Hist.:
AFS 24-1994, f. 10-26-94, cert. ef. 12-1-94; AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97, cert. ef.
1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-2360;
SSP 4-2003, f. 2-25-03, cert. ef. 3-1-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef.
7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7140; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert.
ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7140; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef.
3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-7160
Oregon
as Responding Jurisdiction — Establishing Paternity
(1) When a request
to establish paternity is received from another jurisdiction, the administrator
must receive an affidavit of a parent naming the alleged father prior to initiating
legal action.
(2) The
administrator will use the provisions of ORS Chapter 25, 109, 110 and 416 to establish
paternity and support.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.729, 110.303 – 110.452

Hist.:
AFS 24-1994, f. 10-26-94, cert. ef. 12-1-94; AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97, cert. ef.
1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-2370;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7160;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7160; DOJ 3-2011(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11
137-055-7180
Determining
Controlling Order
(1) The administrator will determine
a single controlling order when:
(a) Services are being provided
under ORS 25.080 and two or more child support orders have been issued regarding
the same obligor, child and obligee; or
(b) A party or other jurisdiction
requests a determination.
(2) For purposes of this
rule, any order modified or issued after October 20, 1994 (the effective date of
the Full Faith and Credit for Child Support Orders Act, 28 USC 1738B), will be interpreted
as a modification of all orders issued prior to October 20, 1994, unless:
(a) The tribunal entering
the order did not have jurisdiction to do so; or
(b) A party alleges the tribunal
lacked personal or subject matter jurisdiction.
(3) When a request for a
controlling order determination is received from another jurisdiction:
(a) The request is not complete
until documents necessary to perform the determination are received; and
(b) The request is considered
“filed with the appropriate tribunal” as required by 45 CFR 303.7(d)(5)
when the administrator receives the complete request.
(4) The administrator will
determine the controlling order and issue an order setting out the determination.
The order is an order in an other than contested case proceeding under ORS chapter
183. The order will be served upon the parties by certified mail, return receipt
requested, at the last known address of the parties. The order must include:
(a) The basis for personal
jurisdiction over the parties;
(b) The names of the parties
and the child for whom support was ordered;
(c) A statement of each child
support order which was considered, the jurisdiction which issued the order and
the date of the order;
(d) A statement identifying
the order the administrator determines is the controlling order and why;
(e) A statement that the
controlling order determination is effective the date the order is issued by the
administrator;
(f) A reference to ORS 110.333;
(g) A notice that a party
may submit further information and petition the administrator for reconsideration
of the order within 60 days of the date of the order;
(h) A notice that OAR 137-004-0080
applies to any petition for reconsideration; and
(i) A notice that a party
may appeal the order as provided by ORS 183.484.
(5) If the administrator
determines that no tribunal has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under ORS chapter
110, the administrator will notify the parties and establish a new child support
order.
(6) For the purposes of determining
the Oregon county in which the administrator may enter the order determining the
controlling order, the following provisions apply:
(a) If one or more Oregon
court files exist for the same obligor and child, the order will be entered in each
existing court file;
(b) If an Oregon court file
does not exist, the administrator will enter the documents required by ORS 416.440
in the circuit court in the county where the party who lives in Oregon resides.
(7) Within 30 days after
the determination of controlling order is issued, the administrator will certify
copies of the order determining the controlling order and file one with each tribunal
that issued or registered an earlier order of child support.
(8) Upon written receipt
of an order determining the controlling order that a tribunal of this or another
jurisdiction properly issued, the administrator will:
(a) Adjust the Oregon case
record to cease prospective accrual on any non-controlling order and initiate accrual
on any controlling order which was issued or registered by an Oregon tribunal on
the date specified in the order determining controlling order or, when not specified,
in accordance with OAR 137-055-5040; and
(b) When one of the non-controlling
orders was issued by an Oregon tribunal, ensure that the order determining the controlling
order is entered in the Oregon circuit court for the county which issued or entered
the prior order.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.729 & 180.345
Stats. Implemented: ORS 110.327
& 110.333
Hist.: AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97,
cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-2385;
DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7180;
DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-7180; DOJ 10-2004,
f. & cert. ef. 7-1-04; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11;
DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11; DOJ 7-2014, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-14
137-055-7190
Review
and Modification In Intergovernmental Cases
(1) Within 15
days of a party’s request for a periodic review or a request for a modification
based upon a change of circumstances, the administrator will determine in which
jurisdiction the review will be sought. The administrator will follow the Uniform
Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) provisions in ORS 110.303 through 110.452
in making this decision, including:
(a) If
the controlling order is an Oregon support order and the obligor, obligee and child
reside in this state, Oregon will do the review.
(b) If
the controlling order is an Oregon support order and one of the parties or the child
resides in this state, Oregon will do the review, presuming personal jurisdiction
can be asserted for the remaining party.
(c) If
Oregon does not have the controlling order but all the parties have filed in the
jurisdiction which has the controlling order a written consent for Oregon to modify
the order, Oregon will do the review.
(d) If
an order has been registered for enforcement in Oregon and none of the parties or
the child resides in the jurisdiction which issued the order, the jurisdiction where
the non-requesting party resides will do the review.
(2) If
the administrator determines that Oregon is not the appropriate reviewer, the administrator
will:
(a) Determine
and obtain the information needed;
(b) Complete
any required forms; and
(c) Send
all required documents to the reviewer within 20 calendar days of receipt;
(3)(a)
If the reviewer is currently providing services for Oregon on the case, the documents
will be transmitted to the appropriate office or agency working the case;
(b) If
the request is the first contact with the reviewer for the case, the request must
be sent to the reviewer’s central registry.
Stat. Auth.:
ORS 25.080, 25.287, 180.345

Stats.
Implemented: ORS 25.080, 25.287, 110.318, 110.327, 110.330 & 110.436

Hist.:
DOJ 10-2004, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-04; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11
thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11

The official copy of an Oregon Administrative Rule is
contained in the Administrative Order filed at the Archives Division,
800 Summer St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97310. Any discrepancies with the
published version are satisfied in favor of the Administrative Order.
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