Child support payments made mandatory in Moldova: harsher sanctions for defaulting parents

Parents who evade or refuse to pay child support may face harsher sanctions, including contravention arrest or unpaid community service. These provisions are included in a draft law examined by the parliament’s legal commission for appointments and immunities today.

The legislative initiative was developed by a group of MPs from the Action and Solidarity Party’s (PAS) faction and aims to align the regulatory framework with international standards on protection of the rights of the child and combating domestic violence.

According to the draft, the Contravention Code is to be amended, so that non‑payment of child support is no longer sanctioned only with a fine. In this context, parents who do not fulfill their obligations could be sanctioned with contravention arrest from 10 to 15 days or with 45–60 hours of unpaid community service.

The authors also propose additional measures, such as a travel ban for persons with outstanding child support debts. At the same time, children will become the direct beneficiaries of these payments.

The initiators of the draft invoke worrying statistics data, according to which approximately 30,000 children of Moldova do not regularly receive child support. In addition, a significant number of enforcement files show arrears accumulated over months or even years.

The draft also sees that courts will determine the child’s domicile, taking into account more factors, including the risk of violence, the relationship with each parent and the child’s needs. In the event of a high risk of domestic violence, contact with the abusive parent could be limited for a period of up to six months.

At the same time, the court will set the visitation schedule, which will be enforced by the bailiff. If the minor refuses to participate, the parents may be required to attend counselling and family relationship harmonization programmes.