What this page shows is the independence between these states of the way they have implemented child support. The USA in particular is pursuing a very different line, apparently uninfluenced (since the 18th Century) by external treaties and conventions and experience in other nations.
| When? |
Australia |
Canada |
New Zealand |
UK (and earlier) |
USA |
| 1601 |
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An Acte for the Reliefe of the Poore |
Perhaps the territories which became the USA inherited the English Poor Laws. |
| 19th Century |
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Constitution Act 1867:
Judges of the Superior, District and County Courts in each Province must be appointed. The Supreme Court of Canada has established that there are certain functions of the judiciary that cannot be removed from that decision-making forum. This appears to include aspects of family law. |
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The parish has the power to recover from the putative father the cost of maintenance of a bastard child. |
The invention of a legally enforceable child support obligation by American courts. |
| 1935 |
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Aid for Dependent Child program (AFDC) |
| World War 2 (1939 - 1945) |
| 1950 |
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Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act (URESA) |
| 1974-1975 |
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United Nations Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance |
Social Security Amendments of 1974 (Public Law 93-647):
This established the basis of the CSES. |
| 1980 |
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Hague Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions Relating to Maintenance Obligations |
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| 1982 |
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UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women |
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| 1983 |
UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women |
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| 1984 |
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Child Support Amendments of 1984 (Public Law 98-378):
(Mandated guidelines to be used in an advisory capacity).
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| 1985 |
United Nations Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance |
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UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women |
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| 1986 |
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United Nations Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance |
UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women |
|
| 1988 |
Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 |
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1988 Family Support Act (Public Law 100-485):
Implemented a national Child Support Enforcement System based upon the uniform application of a State-developed formula. |
| 1989 |
Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 |
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| 1991 |
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child |
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child |
Child Support Act 1991 |
Child Support Act 1991 |
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| 1992 |
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Child Support scheme starts |
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child |
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| 1993 |
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UN Convention on the Rights of the Child |
Creation of the Child Support Agency |
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| 1994 |
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Child Support Review 1994: Report of the Working Party. (Trapski Report.). |
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| Child Support Amendment Act 1994 commences |
| 1995 |
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Child Support Act 1995 |
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| 1996 |
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Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 (Public Law 104-193): each State must operate a CSE Program meeting Federal requirements in order to be eligible for TANF funds (which replaced AFDC).
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| 1997 |
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Divorce Act (Bill C-41) commences |
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| 2000 |
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Child Support, Pensions, and Social Security Act 2000 |
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| 2002 |
Hague Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions Relating to Maintenance Obligations |
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| Present day |
| In progress: 2002? |
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UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women |
| 2003? |
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Reformed CSA (by the 2000 Act) |
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| No intentions |
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Hague Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions Relating to Maintenance Obligations |
| UN Convention on the Rights of the Child |
| United Nations Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance |
| When? |
Australia |
Canada |
New Zealand |
UK (and earlier) |
USA |