The License Suspension Program is a federally mandated program to suspend individual licenses for non-payment of child support. The suspension of driver's, professional and recreational licenses was created as an enforcement tool. During State Fiscal Year 2008, 12,059 licenses were suspended which resulted in $3,654,066 being collected on behalf of the children of Mississippi.
Applies To:
- Occupational and professional licenses regulated by
the State of Mississippi from Physicians to Social Workers and Barbers to Foresters
- Business and Alcoholic Beverages licenses
- Driver's licenses and Hunting/Fishing licenses
Procedure
- When a noncustodial parent has become two months
behind in making payments, the licensee will be subject to the licenses
suspension procedure. A review may be requested as described below
under Due Process.
- Licensing agencies provide information on licensees
to MDHS at least quarterly. MDHS runs a database match against
a list of delinquent parents.
- MDHS sends a notice to licensees who meet the criteria
giving the licensee 90 days to pay the arrears or to work out a payment
plan. Note: The stipulated payment plan must be submitted to
court for approval.
- If a delinquent parent does nothing or if an agreed
payment schedule for the arrears is not reached within the 90-day period,
a notice is sent to the licensing agency to suspend the license. A suspended
license may be reinstated if the delinquent parent subsequently pays
or agrees to a payment plan.
- Additionally, in any contempt proceeding for failure
to pay child support, the judge may order license suspension.
- Failure to pay under the agreed judgment will subject
the licensee to immediate license suspension.
- Any licensed attorney may apply through MDHS for license
information in a non-MDHS case.
Due Process
- Licensee may request a review by MDHS on issues of correct
personal identification and state of delinquency.
- Suspension may be appealed to the Chancery Court.
| Licensing Agency |
Number of Suspensions |
Department of Public Safety |
10,349 |
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks |
1,634 |
Board of Education |
12 |
Board of Cosmetology |
18 |
Board of Medical Licensure |
1 |
Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control |
1 |
Mississippi State Department of Health |
4 |
Board of Funerals |
4 |
Engineers & Land Surveyors |
0 |
Insurance Commission |
36 |
Total |
12,059 |
|
