HB 1652 -- Criminal Nonsupport Courts

Sponsor:  Walton

This bill allows a circuit court to establish a court division
for disposition of cases involving criminal nonsupport.  A
criminal nonsupport division will have the authority to refer
defendants for criminal nonsupport education, vocational or
employment training, or to work programs.  After successful
completion of a court-ordered training program or commencement of
support payments, the defendant may have the charges, petition,
or penalty against him or her dismissed, reduced, or modified.
An eight-member Criminal Nonsupport Divisions Coordinating
Commission will be established to coordinate and allocate
resources made available through the newly created Criminal
Nonsupport Division Resources Fund.  The bill also creates new
penalties for any person convicted of criminal nonsupport as
follows:

(1)  A first offense will result in a suspended imposition of
sentence and an appropriate period of probation;

(2)  A second offense will result in a suspended execution of
sentence and an appropriate period of probation; and

(3)  A third or subsequent offense will be punished within the
range for the class of offense that the defendant was convicted
of as provided by law.

During any period that a nonviolent defendant is incarcerated for
criminal nonsupport, the court will, if the defendant is ready,
willing, and able to be gainfully employed and except for good
cause shown, place the defendant on work release in order to
satisfy the defendant's obligation to pay support.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:44 am