1. (a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
2. (b) “Administration” means the Child Support Administration of the Department of Human Services.

3. (c) “Earnings” includes:

   1. (1) any form of periodic payment to an individual, including:

      1. (i) an annuity;
      2. (ii) a pension;
      3. (iii) Social Security payments;
      4. (iv) workers' compensation payments; and
      5. (v) unemployment insurance benefits; and
   2. (2) any commissions or fees paid in connection with the obligor's employment.

4. (d)

   1. (1) “Employer” means any person who is paying earnings to an obligor.
   2. (2) “Employer” includes a governmental entity.

5. (e) “Local support enforcement office” means 1 of the following that is responsible for support enforcement:

   1. (1) a county agency; or
   2. (2) a component of the circuit court for a county.

6. (f)

   1. (1) “Obligee” means any person who is entitled to receive support.
   2. (2) “Obligee” includes a state.
7. (g) “Obligor” means an individual who is required to pay support under a court order.

8. (h) “Support” includes:

   1. (1) child support;
   2. (2) spousal support;
   3. (3) support of destitute adult children; and
   4. (4) support of destitute parents.

9. (i) “Support enforcement agency” means 1 of the following that receives support payments under a court order:

   1. (1) the Administration; or
   2. (2) a local support enforcement office.

Added by Acts 1984, c. 296, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1987, c. 155, § 1, eff. July 1, 1987; Acts 1988, c. 6, § 1, eff. Feb. 18, 1988; Acts 1991, c. 21, § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 1991; Acts 1995, c. 491, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 1996, c. 351, § 4, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, c. 609, § 1, eff. July 1, 1997; Acts 2016, c. 312, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2016; Acts 2017, c. 62, § 6.

Formerly Art. 16, § 5B.