SAN ANTONIO – A program that began in September that denies vehicle registration renewals for people who are behind six months or more on their child support payments is paying off.
More than $1 million in back payments have been collected from delinquent parents as of March 31, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement Tuesday.
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A total of $1.17 million came from 4,634 cases, averaging $252 per case.
The highest single amount collected was $54,000, Paxton said.
“This program is proving to be an effective tool in convincing delinquent parents to fulfill their most important obligation – providing for their children,” Paxton said. “As soon as a payment is arranged, the hold on an auto registration renewal is released.”
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Those who are behind on child support payments will receive a notification letter 90 days before a vehicle registration expires so they can make arrangements to get up to date on their child support payments. That way there’s no surprise when they go try to renew their registration.
"It's not designed for those who are maybe a month or two behind, but it is designed for those, that at some point, stopped making those spousal support payment for whatever reason it was,” Albert Uresti, Bexar County tax assessor-collector, said when the law went into effect.
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The law affects companies that sell registration renewal stickers, including HEB grocery stores.
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