Summary
Makes the government take away the passport of any person who owes more than $2,500 in child support payments.
What problem does this solve?
Some parents avoid paying for their children's care by traveling or living outside the country. This bill stops them from traveling internationally by taking away their passports until they pay what they owe.
What does this bill do?
Mandatory passport revocation
Requires the Secretary of State to take away the passport of any person certified as owing more than $2,500 in child support. Before, this was optional.
Requires notification
Adds a rule that the government must tell the person that their passport is going to be taken away before the action occurs.
Allows for emergency return
Lets the Department of State issue a special, temporary passport if a person is in another country and needs to return to the U.S. for an emergency. This passport is only good for the return trip.
Who does this affect?
- Parents who owe more than $2,500 in child support
- Children and custodial parents awaiting child support payments
What is the real world impact?
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Creates a strong reason to pay child support
Pressures parents who are behind on payments to pay what they owe by taking away their ability to travel outside the United States. This makes it harder to ignore their financial duties to their children.
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Restricts the right to travel over a debt
Some may argue that taking away a passport is a very serious punishment for owing money, even if it is for child support. It limits a person's freedom of movement for a non-criminal issue.
When does this start?
The changes in this bill would begin on October 1, 2026.