§1442. Definitions
As used in this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following
meanings:
(1)"Arrears" or "arrearages" means amounts of past due and unpaid monthly support
obligations established by a court order issued by any court of this state or another state,
including any judgment or order issued in accordance with an administrative procedure
established by state law that affords substantial due process and is subject to judicial review,
or any other judgment created by operation of any state law.
(2)"Child support" means any amount required to be paid pursuant to a court order
issued by any court of this state or another state, including any judgment or order issued in
accordance with an administrative procedure established by state law that affords substantia
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§1442. Definitions
As used in this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following
meanings:
(1) "Arrears" or "arrearages" means amounts of past due and unpaid monthly support
obligations established by a court order issued by any court of this state or another state,
including any judgment or order issued in accordance with an administrative procedure
established by state law that affords substantial due process and is subject to judicial review,
or any other judgment created by operation of any state law.
(2) "Child support" means any amount required to be paid pursuant to a court order
issued by any court of this state or another state, including any judgment or order issued in
accordance with an administrative procedure established by state law that affords substantial
due process and is subject to judicial review.
(3) "Contract" means a contract or agreement, as described in R.S. 51:1444, pursuant
to which a private child support collection agency agrees to perform support enforcement
services for an obligee for a fee or other compensation.
NOTE: Paragraph (4) eff. until October 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 477, §17.
(4) "Department" means the Department of Children and Family Services, office of
children and family services, child support enforcement section.
NOTE: Paragraph (4) as amended by Acts 2025, No. 477, §17, eff. October 1, 2027.
(4) "Department" means the Department of Children and Family Services, office of
child support.
(5) "FITAP" means Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program.
(6) "Obligee" means an individual who is owed child support under a child support
order and who has entered or may enter into a contract with a collection agency.
(7) "Obligor" means a resident of this state required to pay child support in
accordance with an order of support issued by a court or other tribunal.
(8) "Order of support" or "child support order" means any judgment or order for the
support of dependent children issued by any court of this state or another state, including any
judgment or order issued in accordance with an administrative procedure established by state
law that affords substantial due process and is subject to judicial review.
(9)(a) "Private child support collection agency" or "collection agency" means an
individual or nongovernmental entity that solicits and contracts directly with obligees to
provide child support collection services for compensation.
(b) For the purposes of this Chapter, the following persons or entities are not
considered a private child support collection agency:
(i) The department or any government agency providing services in accordance with
Title IV-D of the Social Security Act and corresponding state laws and regulations;
(ii) An attorney duly licensed to practice law in the state of Louisiana if he is not
employed by a private child support collection agency or does not derive a substantial portion
of business from the collection or enforcement of child support. As used in this Section,
"substantial" means that at least fifty percent of the attorney's business, either in terms of
remuneration or time spent, is comprised of the activity of seeking to collect or enforce child
support obligations.
(iii) A collection agency that performs support enforcement services while under
contract with the department to provide such services in accordance with Title IV-D of the
Social Security Act and corresponding state laws and regulations.
(iv) A public officer, judicial officer, receiver, or trustee acting in accordance with
a court order.
(10) "Support services" and "support enforcement services" means:
(a) Any action taken by the department, upon receipt of an application or referral for
services or a request made under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, in accordance
with the federal requirements of Title IV-D of the Social Security Act and corresponding
state laws and regulations without regard to whether there is any existing court order,
delinquency, or presumption of paternity.
(b) A service, including related financial accounting services, performed directly or
indirectly for the purpose of causing a payment required, or allegedly required, by an order
of support to be made to the obligee or to an agent of that individual.