Relating to eligibility verification for applicants for public assistance

HB 2215 requires non-custodial parents applying for public assistance to cooperate with child support enforcement as a condition for eligibility, and disqualifies them if they're behind on child support payments. It also requires custodial parents to cooperate in establishing paternity as a condition for benefits, but prohibits forcing them to investigate non-custodial parents. The bill mandates the state department to create rules for these requirements, effective January 1, 2025. It directly affects individuals seeking public assistance who are either non-custodial or custodial parents. The changes align with federal child support guidelines under 7 C.F.R. §273.11.