18245. (Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 902, Sec. 59.)

(a) A family shall be eligible to receive a child support assurance payment on behalf of a child only if the child’s custodial parent has done all of the following:

(1) Assigned the child’s right to collect child support to the state.

(2) Established paternity, obtained a child support order, and is using the services available under the state plan approved under Part D (commencing with Section 651) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code.

(3) Opted to participate in the child assurance program in lieu of cash assistance under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) or its successor program.

(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), as a condition of receiving a child support assurance payment under this article, a custodial parent shall also be required to do both of the following:

(A) Continue to provide all other relevant information that the applicant has that may be requested by the county.

(B) Appear at required interviews, conference hearings, or legal proceedings, if notified in advance and an illness or emergency does not prevent attendance.

(2) A custodial parent shall not be required to comply with paragraph (1) when compliance would make it more difficult for a domestic violence victim to escape physical abuse or when cooperation would increase the risk of further violence or unfairly penalize the victim.