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HB 943

CHILDREN/SUPPORT: Directs insurers to conduct data matches and withhold certain insurance and settlement payments to satisfy child support obligations (OR INCREASE SG RV See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Bayham and 1 co-sponsor

HB 943 establishes a formal framework requiring insurers to match data with DCFS and withhold and remit child support from qualifying payments, enforced by the Louisiana Department

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Insurance.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 943

Bill Summary: HB 943 (Louisiana, 2026 Session)

Title

Child Support Insurance Intercept Act

Purpose and Intent

HB 943 aims to strengthen child support enforcement by requiring insurers to perform data matches with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and to withhold and remit certain insurance payments to satisfy child support obligations. The measure creates a formal framework for insurer cooperation, data sharing, and enforcement, with provisions to protect privacy and establish oversight by the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI).

Key Provisions

  • New Statutes Created

    • Enacts R.S. 46:236.1.13 (insurance data matching and cooperation with DCFS) and R.S. 22:2472 (insurer compliance and enforcement).

  • Insurer Obligations (R.S. 46:236.1.13)

    • Insurers must exchange information with DCFS no later than five days before issuing a qualifying payment to determine if the recipient owes child support debt.
    • The information exchange should be conducted through a secure process that complies with privacy laws, including HIPAA.
    • Insurers issuing qualifying payments must provide minimum identifying information to:
    • An insurance claim data collection organization
    • The federal Office of Child Support Enforcement or the Louisiana Child Support Lien Network
    • DCFS directly (in a manner satisfactory to DCFS)

  • Qualifying Payments and Withholding (R.S. 46:236.1.13)

    • Upon notification from DCFS identifying the amount of debt, the insurer must:
    • Withhold the specified amount from the recipient’s payment
    • Remit the withheld funds to DCFS within 20 days
    • DCFS must prioritize certain liens, claims, and documented expenses (e.g., liens for reasonable attorney fees, medical expenses, funeral costs) over child support withholding.

  • Data Privacy and Immunity (R.S. 46:236.1.13)

    • Information exchanged is confidential and may only be used to collect past-due child support or carry out enforcement.
    • Improper disclosure or use outside of data-matching purposes is prohibited; data retention is limited to the data-match process (with exceptions for child support liens).

  • Enforcement and Compliance (R.S. 22:2472)

    • The Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) has full enforcement authority, including:
    • Issuing cease-and-desist orders
    • Imposing administrative fines
    • Conducting examinations and investigations
    • Adopting implementing rules
    • Failure to comply is considered an unfair or deceptive act or practice under existing law.

  • Disbursement Timing (Section F)

    • Insurers must not delay disbursement to comply with the act.
    • If a notice arrives after payment has already been disbursed, compliance is not required for that payment; ongoing or future payments remain subject to the data match requirements.

  • Definitions (Section H)

    • Clarifies terms: recipient, insurance claim data collection organization, insurer, qualifying payment, and tort/insurance claim.
    • Defines what constitutes a qualifying payment (generally a payment over $500 intended for the recipient, related to tort/insurance settlements or claims, and scheduled within five days of the data match).

  • Effective Date

    • The act becomes effective January 1, 2027.

Potential Impact

  • Who is Affected

    • All insurers doing business in Louisiana that issue qualifying payments (as defined) to recipients who may owe child support.
    • DCFS and the Office of Child Support Enforcement, which will initiate data matches and receive withheld funds.
    • Consumers receiving qualifying payments, whose payments may be garnished to satisfy child support obligations.

  • Financial Impact

    • Withholding could reduce the net payments to recipients and redirect funds to the child support program, improving collection rates.

  • Privacy and Protections

    • Strong confidentiality requirements and limited use of exchanged information to protect participants’ privacy.

  • Enforcement

    • LDI oversight provides a formal mechanism to ensure compliance and impose consequences for noncompliance.

Summary

HB 943 creates a formal, privacy-protected framework for insurers to match data with DCFS and to withhold and remit child support amounts from qualifying insurance or settlement payments. It provides enforcement authority to the Louisiana Department of Insurance and establishes clear timing, prioritization of liens/expenses, and definitions to implement the program effectively beginning in 2027.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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