The Legal Action Center is proud to announce that Gov. David A. Paterson has signed a bill giving courts the authority to modify child support obligations when there is a reduction in income due to incarceration.

In the past, parents returning to their communities after incarceration have faced overwhelming judgments for child support arrears that accrued while they were incarcerated.

With this new provision, advocated for by LAC and the Fortune Society, the courts can consider the loss of income due to incarceration and make adjustments. This increases the likelihood that noncustodial parents will have more financial and personal involvement in their children's lives and encourages them to get back into the job market.

The bottom line? These outcomes will help strengthen families and communities, reduce recidivism, and promote public safety.

Many thanks to the sponsors of the bill, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein and Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson,the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and all of the advocates who worked passionately on this issue.

This new law represents yet another barrier to reentry to fall in this legislative session; just last month, we had the pleasure of announcing the signing of eight other reentry bills that will help people move on with their lives and become productive members of society.

Thanks to all the legislators who supported these measures -- too many to list here -- especially Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry and Senator Hassell-Thompson, who worked tirelessly for the passage of these bills.