Macomb County, MI → A new plan introduced in the Michigan House is aiming to tighten accountability for unpaid child support while keeping parents working and able to make payments, as Macomb County continues rolling out its own court-based program focused on getting money back to families.
State Rep. Alicia St. Germaine (R-Harrison Township) announced legislation designed to strengthen enforcement while giving courts more flexibility to help parents stay employed and meet their financial obligations. The proposal comes as Michigan faces billions in unpaid child support statewide.
According to court data cited in the plan, Michigan had about $5.6 billion in unpaid child support as of September 2025, including roughly $4.2 billion from the Tri-County area alone.
“Child support isn’t optional. It’s a responsibility,” St. Germaine said. “Our plan is focused on getting money to families and children, not trapping people in a cycle that makes repayment impossible.”
The legislation would allow prosecutors, working with specialty courts, to defer sentencing for one to five years for individuals convicted of failing to pay child support. During that time, participants would be required to stay employed, begin repayment, and make consistent payments under court supervision.
Under current law, deferrals are typically limited to one year. Supporters say extending that timeframe could increase the amount of money recovered for families while reducing barriers that make it harder for parents to maintain steady employment.
In Macomb County, Prosecutor Peter Lucido has already been pushing a similar approach through a locally launched child support initiative aimed at tackling a backlog of more than $300 million in unpaid support.
The program established Michigan’s first Child Support Specialty Court, focusing on rehabilitation rather than immediate incarceration. Instead of prioritizing felony charges and jail time, the initiative connects non-paying parents with job training and employment services through Michigan Works!, helping them secure income so they can start paying down what they owe.
Participants who qualify may be offered structured payment plans under court supervision. If they follow through, they can avoid or potentially have felony charges dismissed. The goal is to hold parents accountable while giving them a realistic path to repay arrears.
Lucido’s office says efforts using this model have already collected more than $3 million in overdue child support, with the new specialty court designed to expand that impact.
The local program targets individuals with significant unpaid balances and offers an alternative path: Find work, stay employed, and consistently make payments. The long-term goal is simple, make sure children receive the financial support they’re owed while helping parents stabilize their lives.
St. Germaine’s statewide proposal and Macomb County’s specialty court share a similar philosophy: Keep parents working, enforce accountability, and increase the chances that families actually receive the money meant for their children.
“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.”
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