AUGUSTA – Though one Rumford man says the Department of Health and Human Services already employs “Gestapo” tactics, a proposed bill would allow the state agency to extend its ability to collect child support.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Deb Simpson, D-Auburn, and modeled after legislation in New Hampshire and California, would require businesses that already report new hiring of employees to report the hiring of independent contractors as well, but only those who are paid $600 or more. Eight other states have enacted similar laws, according to Simpson.

“This bill closes the gap that allows independent contractors to hide from their child support responsibilities,” Simpson said during a public hearing before the Judiciary Committee on Thursday. “It will help bring more parents into compliance with child support orders and make life easier for many custodial parents and their children. In addition, it should have the beneficial side effect of lowering the need for the receiving families to require government assistance.”

Steven Hussey, a director within the collections department of DHHS, said the bill would help close an important loophole in the current law.

“Wage withholding is by far the department’s single most effective tool for collecting current support,” he said. “The department collected more than $115 million in child support last year, with more than 60 percent of that collected through wage withholding.”

Committee members were concerned about creating a paperwork burden on employers. They also sought assurance that the bill would not place an increased burden on DHHS employees, or call for new hires to enforce.

Hussey said no new staff would be required.

“We’ve already got a process that is as employer-friendly as it can be,” he said.

Brian Parke, vice president of Maine Motor Transport Association, spoke in opposition of the bill, saying it would place an administrative burden on businesses.

Also speaking in opposition was Eugene Boivin of Rumford, who said DHHS has too much power over people as it is.

“People should pay for the children that they’ve made,” he said. “I’m here because it’s an opportunity for me to talk about the Gestapo tactics of DHS and the collection of child support.”

Boivin told a story about the struggles his son has had in making child support payments, and how Boivin has had to help his son out a few times after DHHS suspended his license and garnished money from a bank account.

“This bill should go down big,” he said. “They’ve got more power right now, or there is more abuse of power, in the collection agency than anything I have ever dealt with as a citizen.”

The bill will be scheduled for a work session in the coming weeks.

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