Mendocino County Municipal Code Ch. 2.42 Department of Child Support Services

Effective July 1, 2001, there is established the Department of Child Support Services. Any references that appear anywhere in this Code to the "Family Support Division" of the District Attorney's Office shall mean the "Department of Child Support Services."

(Ord. No. 4072 (part), adopted 2001.)

As set forth in Family Code Section 17304, the purpose of the Department of Child Support Services is to establish, modify, and enforce child support obligations, including medical support; to enforce spousal support orders established by a court of competent jurisdiction; to determine the paternity of a child born out of wedlock, as defined in Family Code Section 17400, subdivision (h); and all further responsibilities imposed upon a local child support agency pursuant to Division 17 (commencing with Section 17000) of the Family Code and those responsibilities imposed by Title IV-D of the Federal Social Security Act. No other local agency shall have authority over the Department as to any function relating to its obligations under Title IV-D of the Federal Social Security Act.

(Ord. No. 4072 (part), adopted 2001.)

(A) The Department of Child Support Services shall be under the general direction of a Director who shall be appointed by and report to the Board of Supervisors.

(B) The Director shall plan, organize, and direct all activities of the Department. The Director's deputies, and other employees so designated by the Director, shall have the power and authority to enforce the provisions of this Ordinance and State laws relating to child support obligations, spousal support orders, and the determination of the paternity of children born out of wedlock, and such other powers and duties as provided in Division 17 (commencing with Section 17000) of the Family Code. It is the intent of the Board of Supervisors to vest in the Department of Child Support Services all authority to discharge those duties formerly exercised by the Family Support Division of the District Attorney's Office.

(Ord. No. 4072 (part), adopted 2001.)

All Mendocino County program employees and other personnel who perform child support collection and enforcement services, and all assets dedicated to those services, shall be transferred from the Family Support Division of the District Attorney's Office to the Department of Child Support Services, as provided in Family Code Sections 17304 and 17305. The transfer of programs, staff, and assets shall be effective upon approval of the Director of the California Department of Child Support Services.

(Ord. No. 4072 (part), adopted 2001.)