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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has released his proposed amendments to a child support enforcement bill to address concerns of federal overreach and disputed claims that Idaho would be forced to uphold rulings made under Islamic law.
Otter released the new 37-page bill Thursday. The legislation will be debated and voted on during a special legislative session May 18.
The proposed amendments address concerns raised by Idaho's conservative Republican lawmakers who voted against the original measure this year. Legislator claimed the bill failed to protect against federal government overreach and lacked appropriate measures to ensure Idaho wouldn't face foreign encroachment into state and U.S. affairs.
"I want every parent and family relying on court-ordered child support payments to have the chance to review this bill. I want every member of the Legislature to have a better understanding of what it does and does not do, and a fuller appreciation of what happens if we fail to act affirmatively," Otter said in a statement. "The more everyone knows - not 'thinks' but knows - about this measure, the better chance we have for success."
Under the revised language, Idaho could not enforce any orders incompatible with Idaho law. The bill also instructs the state Department of Health and Welfare to install measures to secure personal data from being leaked.
The federal government is requiring all states to pass the compliance legislation or risk losing millions of federal funding dollars and access to critical child support enforcement resources.
The bill's passage is also tied to an international treaty, which has been thrown into question because it requires all 50 states' approval before the U.S. can ratify it.
Otter says that legislative leaders in both chambers as well as state health officials support the proposed amendments.
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