SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that blocks parents who aren't current on child support from getting a hunting or fishing license in Utah is advancing in the state legislature.
House Bill 197 , sponsored by Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield, passed unanimously out of the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
The latest version of the bill states that anyone in debt $2,500 or more on child support payments would be blocked from applying for a license. However, those who set up a payment plan could still qualify for a license.
Lisonbee told the committee it addresses a serious problem.
"Currently in Utah, we are $399 million in arrears that is owed to children," she said.
The bill incentivizes people to get current on their child support. Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources said it could create a system to process people quickly as they pay off debts.
It won universal praise in the committee. No one spoke against it.
The bill now goes to the full House for debate.
This story was originally published by Ben Winslow on KSTU in Salt Lake City.
