State Rep. Alicia St. Germaine (R-Harrison Township) recently introduced a plan to support young families and fix Michigan’s broken child support system. The plan strengthens accountability while helping parents remain employed and meet their financial obligations.

Michigan currently faces a serious challenge with unpaid child support. As of September 2025, court reports show $5.6 billion in unpaid child support statewide, including approximately $4.2 billion from the Tri-County region alone.

“This level of unpaid child support is unacceptable,” said St. Germaine. “Child support isn’t optional. It’s a responsibility. Our plan is focused on getting money to families and children, not trapping people in a cycle that makes repayment impossible.”

House Bills 5510-5511, introduced by Reps. St. Germaine and Rep. Edwards (D-Eastpointe) allows prosecutors, when working with individuals through specialty courts, to defer sentencing for one to five years for those convicted of failing to pay child support. This approach gives individuals the opportunity to remain employed, begin repayment, and demonstrate consistent child support payments under court supervision.

Under current law, which allows only a one-year deferral, Macomb County has already recovered more than $5 million in unpaid child support. By extending the deferral period, it allows counties to recover even more funds for families while reducing employment barriers that interfere with repayment.

“We’re giving specialty courts the tools to hold parents accountable without taking away their ability to work,” St. Germaine said. “When parents stay employed and make consistent payments, children win.”