dcl9764.htm

DCL-97-64
October 6, 1997

TO ALL STATE IV-D DIRECTORS

Dear Colleague:

On November 12 - 14, 1997, OCSE will sponsor a Financial Institution Work Group Meeting in Herndon, Virginia. This meeting will focus on implementation of financial institution/child support data match requirements. Other child support issues related to financial institutions contained in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 will also be discussed.

PRWORA requires States to have in place procedures for State Child Support Enforcement Agencies to enter into agreements with financial institutions to develop and operate data match systems, and for States to pass laws requiring financial institutions to provide this information to the IV-D agency. The law specifically states that:

Financial institutions must provide account information on a quarterly basis for each non-custodial parent identified by the State who has an account at the institution and who owes past-due support. The data match system should be designed to use automated data exchanges to the maximum extent feasible;

Agreements between the State and financial institutions must include provisions for financial institutions to encumber or surrender non-custodial parents' assets in response to a notice of a lien or levy;

The State CSE agency may pay a reasonable fee, not to exceed actual costs, to financial institutions for the cost of data matches; and

Financial institutions may not be held liable under any State or Federal law for action taken in good faith to comply with these requirements.

The upcoming Financial Institution Work Group Meeting will allow us to address these issues.

The Work Group will consist of representatives from financial institutions associations and "hands-on" representatives from among their constituents; OCSE Regional Office Staff; State CSE staff; representatives from other Federal agencies; and Central OCSE staff from the Divisions of Systems, Policy, Audit, Operations, and State and Local Assistance. We are expecting approximately 200 attendees.

We are inviting you to have a representative from your State's financial institution community attend with you. Please pass an invitation and this enclosure on to them.

Attendees will be asked to spend two and one-half days in work groups to address specific issues related to financial institution data matches. The initial half-day will be devoted to general remarks, introductions, overview, discussion of the mission of the Work Group and the time-table for mission completion. The Work Group would then be divided into five sub-groups for the next two days. The sub-groups will work in their selected areas: policy, sample agreements, operational procedures, fees, or implementation/outreach. An agenda will be provided prior to the meeting.

When registering for the meeting, attendees should indicate their topic preference on the enclosed form and send us specific issues for discussion under all topics. Prior to the meeting, attendees will receive their group assignment and a list of discussion questions.

The Financial Institution Work Group Meeting will be at the Hyatt Dulles Hotel, 2300 Dulles Corner Boulevard, Herndon, Virginia. The hotel is 3 miles from the Dulles Airport and a shuttle is available. Rooms are available for $124.00 single and $149.00 double occupancy per night. Attendees should call 1-800-233-1234, ask for Hyatt Dulles to reserve a room, and mention the Child Support Enforcement Meeting in order to obtain the reduced rate. Please make your hotel reservations by October 24 to receive the special meeting rate.

At the IV-D Director's Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, the IV-D Directors requested that they get together with OCSE prior to convening the Financial Institution Work Group. Veteran's Day falls on a Tuesday, immediately proceeding the Work Group Meeting. Consequently, the how and when of holding the pre-meeting becomes more complicated than previously anticipated. Jerry Fay will be polling the IV-D Directors shortly after you receive this letter to determine the most productive way to set-up this meeting, if it is still needed.

The meeting will start on Wednesday, November 12th at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude Friday, November 14 at no later than 1:00 p.m. Our intent is to make this a pleasant work environment--casual dress is preferred. Attendees should complete the enclosed registration form and fax it and your issues to Sheila LeBlanc at (202) 401-5559 no later than October 20. If you have any questions, call Pat Hagen at (202) 401-5684.

Please note that this letter is also being sent to the person(s) which you have identified as the Financial Institution contact for your States.

Thanks for all of your help. I look forward to a successful and productive meeting.

Sincerely,

David Gray Ross
Deputy Director
Office of Child Support Enforcement

REGISTRATION FORM: FINANCIAL INSTITUTION WORK GROUP MEETING

Participant Information:

Name_______________________________________________________________________________

Title/Agency_______________________________________________________________________

Address____________________________________________________________________________

Telephone__________________________________________________________________________

Fax__________________________________Internet______________________________________

Topic Preference: Select your topic areas from the list below. Please rank your selection on the following scale: 1 = first choice; 2 = second choice; 3 = third choice.

149 POLICY
Review Draft AT. Identify Other Issues/Questions. Develop Answers.

149 SAMPLE AGREEMENTS
Develop Agreement Tailored to various segments of the financial industry community.

149 OPERATIONAL PROCEEDINGS
Data Elements. Data Formats. Subpoena vs. Straight Liens. Use of EFT and EDI. Transmission of Information. Timing of Data Matches. Audit.

149 FEES
Identification of Cost Categories. Handling Negotiations.

149 OUTREACH/IMPLEMENTATION
How to ensure all financial institutions are included. Identify Various Types of Outreach Materials and Develop Contents. Prepare General Implementation Plan.

Issues for Discussion: Please list on a separate sheet issues that you would like to discuss, or have discussed, at the meeting. Please be specific.