Child-Support Bill Sent to Clinton

The Senate passed and sent to President Clinton a bill making it a federal felony for parents to cross state lines to evade child support. It would apply if the amount owed is $5,000 or more and the payments are more than one year delinquent. It would also apply if the child lives in a different state than the parent responsible for the payments and the parent “willfully fails” to make the payments. The bill was sponsored by Reps. Henry J. Hyde (R-Ill.) and Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.). It will be signed by Clinton, according to aides for Hyde and Hoyer. Parents owing $10,000 or more or who fail to pay for two years could face up to two years in prison.