Noncustodial parent’s cooperation with child support agencies

At the option of a State agency, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a putative or identified noncustodial parent of a child under the age of 18 (referred to in this subsection as “the individual”) shall not be eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program if the individual refuses to cooperate with the State agency administering the program established under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 651 et seq.)—

(A) in establishing the paternity of the child (if the child is born out of wedlock); and

(B) in providing support for the child.

(A) Guidelines The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall develop guidelines on what constitutes a refusal to cooperate under paragraph (1).

(B) Procedures The State agency shall develop procedures, using guidelines developed under subparagraph (A), for determining whether an individual is refusing to cooperate under paragraph (1).

Paragraph (1) shall not require the payment of a fee or other cost for services provided under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 651 et seq.).

The State agency shall provide safeguards to restrict the use of information collected by a State agency administering the program established under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) to purposes for which the information is collected.