Wyoming Parents May Lose Their Drivers Licenses over Child Support

In Cheyenne, Wyoming, legislators are proposing a change in family laws that could make it more likely for parents to lose their driver's licenses if they are delinquent with their child support payments. 

According to child support enforcement director of the Wyoming Department of Family Services, Brenda Lyttle, a push in draft legislation is needed and she is advocating the change.  Lyttle believes that the change in child support law would make it much easier for her office to suspend the driver's licenses of parents who are at least $5,000 behind in child support payments.  The law would also apply to parents who have not made payments for at least 90 days.  Lyttle claims that approximately 1,600 parents would meet the criteria for having their licenses suspended. 

"Our goal is absolutely not to take away driver's licenses; our goal is absolutely to get them to pay their child support," Lyttle said.

On December 4th, the Joint Interim Committee is scheduled to consider the draft bill in a meeting in Casper, Wyoming. 

At this time, Lyttle's office already has authority under state laws to suspend the driver's licenses of parents who owe child support.  The office can suspend the licenses without going to court.  However, the current laws would require her office to hire an administration judge to preside over hearings and also require her office to collect fees, which they have no way of being able to process.  

Senator Tony Ross is a lawyer and also the co-chairman of the judiciary committee.  He said that he was concerned over the proposed bill because the earlier versions lacked certain requirements and did not give enough notice to people who may lose their licenses.  However, since his concerns were expressed, legislators have created new drafts of the bill that will make sure that due-process elements are worked into the administrative suspension procedure, should the bill be passed. 

"We've made substantial changes to the bill that I believe I can support it now," Ross said.

If you need assistance with a child support matter in Wyoming, click here to find a family lawyer!