These offenders seek to be "caught in the claw": New amendments in the Seimas
New legislative proposals in Lithuania intend to impose strict measures on parents failing to pay child support.
Currently, around 100,000 children in Lithuania are awaiting the recovery of awarded child support, burdening taxpayers. D. Razmislevičius, a member of the Social Democratic Party, has pointed out that many parents neglect their financial responsibilities while enjoying leisure activities, highlighting a concern over the leniency shown towards parents who abandon their children financially. In response to this pressing issue, Razmislevičius has drafted amendments that aim to enforce stringent consequences for those who willfully fail to fulfill their child support obligations.
The proposed regulations include revoking various licenses, such as driving, fishing, and hunting permits for non-compliant parents, effectively limiting their social freedoms as a form of punitive measure. Razmislevičius argues that if an individual maliciously avoids paying child support, they should logically face restrictions on their ability to operate vehicles or hold licenses related to recreational activities, which adds a layer of accountability to their obligations as parents.
Additionally, Razmislevičius suggests that parents without income should be mandated to seek employment, ensuring they contribute financially to their children's upbringing. This initiative seeks not only to alleviate the burden on taxpayers but also to create a legal framework that compels responsible parenting, fundamentally addressing the issue of child support enforcement in Lithuania.