TN - Child support termination bill attacked

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/ap...mination-bill/

Campfield's child support termination bill attacked
Briley says measure would punish youth for conduct of parents
By Tom Humphrey

Monday, April 21, 2008


NASHVILLE - State Rep. Stacey Campfield was questioned about his views on
premarital sex and adultery during a combative exchange over a bill he
sponsored to allow termination of child support payments in some situations.
The Knoxville Republican's bill sets up a procedure for a man to end child
support payments after learning he is not the father of the child in
question.

Campfield said his proposal is "a little bit softer than every other state"
that has similar laws. A court proceeding would be required to
"disestablish" paternity and the judge would specifically have to consider
the "best interest of the child," which Campfield said is not a
consideration in other states.

Also, he said a judge could not order the nonparent be repaid for past
payments of child support, only a halt to any payments due in the future.

After Campfield explained the bill - HB1523 - to the House Judiciary
Committee, Rep. Rob Briley, D-Nashville, immediately took the lead in
criticizing the measure.

"I think this is the most anti-child piece of legislation I've seen down
here in 10 years - by far," said Briley.

"Do you believe in premarital sex?" Briley asked Campfield.

"I don't see what that has to do with this (legislation)," replied
Campfield.

With little variation, Briley repeated his question and Campfield his
answer. Briley also asked Campfield if "you see adultery as wrong?"

"You're talking about children that are the result of premarital sex or
adultery," Briley said.

"No. I don't think that children should be involved in premarital sex," said
Campfield. He also expressed disapproval of adultery.

"Yet you want to punish a child as the result of an adulterous situation,"
said Briley. "You put the child in the position of bearing the burden of a
parent's conduct."

"Children never have to pay the child support," said Campfield.

The exchange ended with Briley making a motion to send the bill to "summer
study," which amounts to killing it. The motion was approved by voice vote
with only Rep. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, asking to be recorded as voting no
on the motion.