California Reparations Task Force seeks to allow child support debt forgiveness

The California Reparations Task Force recommended in its final report that the state eliminate child support debt of eligible residents as part of a sweeping package of recommendations for the state to address its history of discriminatory practices.

The panel's report included more than 100 recommendations, including that the state issue a formal apology and pay eligible residents up to $1.2 million. It further highlighted the 10% interest the state charges on back child support and suggested either eliminating the interest owed on that debt or allowing for the outright forgiveness of it entirely.

"The Task Force recommends that the Legislature enact legislation to terminate all interest accrued on back child support, requiring only the payment of the principal owed. At a minimum, the proposal recommends that the Legislature eliminate the prospective accrual of interest on child support debt for low-income parents," the report reads, according to Fox News.

"The Task Force further recommends that the Legislature amend Family Code section 17560, the 'offers in compromise' provision, to allow for offers in compromise and forgiveness of child support debt based solely on a parent’s fnancial (sic) circumstances and ability to pay," it continued.

The panel submitted its report after two years of research and it now falls to the state to determine what recommendations, if any, it will adopt.

California was admitted to the Union as a free state, but proponents of reparations have pointed to discriminatory practices in its civil administration and housing as meriting reparations.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.