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Curran pushes bill to report 1099 contractors to boost child‑support collection; committee sends measure to judiciary/finance
Summary
Representative Curran proposed requiring reporting of 1099 independent contractors to the state new‑hire database to improve child‑support collections; the committee adopted a technical amendment and re‑referred House File 13,16 to Judiciary, Finance and Civil Law.
Representative John Curran presented House File 13,16, which would require employers to report newly hired 1099 independent contractors to the Department of Children, Youth and Families’ new‑hire database so child‑support obligations can be enforced more effectively.
Why it matters: Testimony from Trish Schophammer, director of Child Support Services in the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, said the growth of gig work — DoorDash, ride‑share and other 1099 income streams — makes it difficult to identify payers and implement income‑withholding. She told the committee that 20 other states already require reporting of independent contractors and that Minnesota’s change is intended to increase collections and fairness in child‑support enforcement.
Testimony and details: Schophammer told members that the database currently receives reports of new employees and that adding independent contractors would use that existing portal. The proposed change includes an implementation period; the author moved an A1 technical amendment that changes the effective date to July 1, 2026 to allow the department and contractors time to adapt the reporting interface.
Members asked practical questions about employer burden and notification. Schophammer and department staff said the system would use the existing new‑hire reporting portal maintained by DCYF and that DCYF would carry out employer notification and education. Committee members raised concerns about administrative burden on small contractors, trucking firms and subcontractors on large projects; witnesses said increased reporting would create a compliance burden but would likely improve collections from hard‑to‑track income sources.
Action taken: The committee adopted the A1 technical amendment and re‑referred House File 13,16 (as amended) to the Committee on Judiciary, Finance and Civil Law.
Ending: Supporters said the change is a pragmatic step to update child‑support enforcement for a changing labor market; opponents and county representatives asked for implementation supports and urged outreach to affected employers.
