Parliament prepares tougher sanctions for child support debtors

Vice President of Parliament Doina Gherman announced today in the plenary session of the Legislature the registration of a draft law that provides tougher sanctions for parents who do not pay child support, as well as measures designed to protect children’s rights. The statements were made on the occasion of International Women’s Day, in the presence of a group of mothers who are raising their children alone.

“Today, in the plenary of Parliament, we have a group of mothers who are raising their children on their own and who have brought to our attention the problems they face. Today we have registered a draft law that comes with concrete and necessary solutions to respond to these difficulties,” said Doina Gherman.

The MP stressed that the phenomenon of not paying child support affects a significant number of children.

“Every tenth child in the Republic of Moldova receives child support late or does not receive at all the alimony to which they are legally entitled. That is why we are introducing amendments that provide for tougher sanctions, because a simple fine is not enough,” Gherman explained.

According to the draft law, sanctions for parents who do not pay child support include: up to 15 days of administrative arrest or 60 hours of unpaid community service; a travel ban for parents who fail to fulfill their obligations and attempt to cross the border. Children will also be recognized as direct beneficiaries and creditors of child support, in order to eliminate excuses related to non‑payment.

“The most important thing is that, according to the draft, children become the effective beneficiaries of these payments, so that the money always reaches where it is supposed to,” Gherman added.

The bill also includes amendments regarding the establishment of visitation schedules between parents and children. Currently, this schedule is set by the guardianship authority, but the new proposal provides for the direct involvement of the court in order to reduce procedural issues that complicate the lives of parents and children.

“We propose that the establishment of the visitation schedule be carried out directly by the court, as is done in most countries,” noted the Vice President of Parliament.

The legislative initiative is part of a broader package of amendments targeting the Family Code, the Contravention Code, and the Enforcement Code. The first round of public consultations on the draft will take place on March 20, 2026.