A Nevada state task force is looking at ways to improve the collection of delinquent child support payments after a legislative audit found deficiencies.

Nevada consistently ranks near the bottom of the nation in payment collection. Last year the state collected about 52 percent of the payments owed. The national average is about 61 percent.

“The last ranking I saw for Nevada in child support enforcement was 54th, ranking us even lower than the territory of Guam,” said Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno. “To say our child support enforcement system is broken is not accurate. It’s beyond abysmal.”

It’s unclear what progress the task force has made since it first met in the spring.

Owing more than $10,000 in child support is a felony. But deadbeats must be serve papers before officials can force payment or punishment.

State officials say the system protects civil rights but hampers enforcement. [Las Vegas Review-Journal, September 7, 2009, page 4B]

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