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California Reparations Task Force calls for eliminating child support debt for black residents

by Summer July 4, 2023 0 comments

The 1,100-page report claimed ‘discriminatory’ laws result in Black Californians being ‘burdened with child support debt’

Now this is an intriguing argument . . .

By: Summer

The California Reparations Task Force is asking the Democrat-controlled state legislature to eliminate interest on past-due child support, as well as any back child support debt for Black residents of the state.

In its final report released last week, the group claimed “discriminatory” laws “have torn African American families apart,” and that one effect of that is the “harms” caused by “the disproportionate amount of African Americans who are burdened with child support debt.” 

The nearly 1,100-page document stated that Black Californians represent a larger percentage of those who owe child support debt than their proportion of the state’s population. 

It also claimed the 10% interest the state charges on back child support “hinders” their ability to finance further education, attend job training, find employment and maintain housing because of the legal consequences of not paying such debt.

A 2003 study by the California Department of Child Support Services found that 27% of child support debt in the state is actually unpaid interest. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

“The Task Force further recommends that the Legislature amend Family Code section 17560, the ‘offers in compromise’ provision, to allow for offers in compromise and forgiveness of child support debt based solely on a parent’s fnancial (sic) circumstances and ability to pay,” it added.

The report is a culmination of two years of research done by the task force into what it says is the historical discrimination faced by Black Californians and their ancestors in the state. 

It also offers a broad account of the ways it accuses the state of wronging descendants of Black slaves.

The state legislature will now determine what aspects of the report, including monetary compensation for Black residents, it will approve or deny.