Zirkin Says Child Support Bill May Need Amendment

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- State Sen. Robert Zirkin says the chamber might need to amend his legislation to put some prisoners' child support payments on hold while they are incarcerated.

Zirkin said Friday that he thinks adding an amendment to the bill that would require correctional facilities tell prisoners they are eligible for a waiver of child support while in jail might encourage senators to OK the legislation.

Prisoners can already apply for a waiver because they have no income while in jail, but Zirkin's bill would allow child support payments to be adjusted without any action from the prisoner.

The Senate amended the bill Friday to include a provision to apply the waiver only to people who were not late or behind on their child support at the time of their arrest.

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