§21A-6-16. Child support intercept of unemployment benefits.

(a) An individual filing a new claim for unemployment compensation shall, at the time of filing such claim, disclose whether or not the individual owes child support obligations as hereafter defined under subsection (g) of this section. If any such individual discloses that he or she owes child support obligations and is determined to be eligible for unemployment compensation, the commissioner shall notify the child support enforcement division of the Department of Human Services that the individual has been determined to be eligible for unemployment compensation.

(b) The commissioner shall deduct and withhold from any unemployment compensation payable to an individual that owes such child support obligations as defined under subsection (g) of this section:

(1) The amount specified by the individual to the commissioner to be deducted and withheld under this subsection, if neither subdivision (2) nor subdivision (3) is applicable;

(2) The amount, if any, determined pursuant to an agreement submitted to the commissioner under section 454 (19)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act, (B)(i), by the Department of Human Services, unless subdivision (3) is applicable; or

(3) Any amount otherwise required to be deducted and withheld from such unemployment compensation pursuant to legal process, as that term is defined in section 459 (i)(5) of the Social Security Act, as codified in 42 U.S.C. §659 (i)(5), properly served upon the commissioner.

(c) Any amount deducted and withheld under subsection (b) of this section shall be paid by the commissioner to the child support enforcement division of the Department of Human Services.

(d) Any amount deducted and withheld under subsection (b) of this section shall for all purposes be treated as if it were paid to the individual as unemployment compensation and paid by such individual to the child support enforcement division of the Department of Human Services in satisfaction of the individual's child support obligations.

(e) For purposes of subsections (a) through (d) of this section, the term "unemployment compensation" means any compensation payable under this chapter, including amounts payable by the commissioner pursuant to an agreement under any federal law providing for compensation, assistance or allowances with respect to unemployment.

(f) This section applies only if appropriate arrangements have been made for reimbursement by the child support enforcement division of the Department of Human Services for the administrative costs incurred by the commissioner under this section which are attributable to child support obligations being enforced by the state or local child support enforcement agency.

(g) The term "child support obligations" means, for purposes of these provisions, only obligations which are being enforced pursuant to a plan described in section 454 of the Social Security Act, as codified in 42 U.S.C. §654, which has been approved by the secretary of health and human services under Part D of Title IV of the Social Security Act, as codified in 42 U.S.C. §§651 through 669b.