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HR 2503 105th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Abandonment of family Child support Child support enforcement Compensation for victims of crime Evidence (Law) Families Fines (Penalties) Fugitives from justice Interstate commerce Law Recidivists Sentences (Criminal procedure) Social Welfare Transportation and Public Works

Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1997

Introduced: September 18, 1997 Introduced by: Hoyer, Steny H. Democratic · Maryland See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 1, 1998
For Further Action See H.R.2925.
Sep 24, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Sep 18, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sep 18, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H7591-7592)
Sep 18, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1997 - Amends Federal criminal code provisions regarding failure to pay legal child support obligations to create two new categories of felony offenses, subject to a two-year maximum prison term: (1) traveling in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to evade a support obligation if the obligation has remained unpaid for a period longer than one year or is greater than $5,000; and (2) willfully failing to pay a support obligation regarding a child residing in another State, if the obligation has remained unpaid for a period longer than two years or is greater than $10,000.

Specifies that the existence of a support obligation that was in effect for the time period charged in the indictment or information creates a rebuttable presumption that the obligor has the ability to pay such obligation for that period.

Directs the court, upon a conviction, to order restitution in an amount equal to the total unpaid support obligation as it exists at the time of sentencing.

What's happening now April 1, 1998

For Further Action See H.R.2925.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 226 Identical bill Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1997
  • HR 2925 Procedurally related Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1997
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 6
All 6 Democratic 5 Republican 1
R
Graham, Lindsey
South Carolina · Nov 7, 1997
 D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · Nov 5, 1997
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Nov 4, 1997
 D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · Oct 30, 1997
 D
Thompson, Bennie G.
Mississippi · Oct 28, 1997
 D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · Oct 21, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2503: Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2503/
MLA
"H.R. 2503: Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2503/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2503, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2503/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2503: Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2503/)
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