SENATE WOMEN'S ISSUES, CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 79

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: NOVEMBER 18, 1996

      The Senate Women's Issues, Children and Family Services Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 79 (1R).

      This bill amends N.J.S.2A:34-25 to provide that a former spouse who remarries while receiving permanent alimony would be required to inform the payor spouse of the remarriage.

      The bill would require the former spouse to "promptly" inform the payor spouse and provide notification to any collecting agency. The bill does not set a specific time that notice must be given since the term "promptly" offers a reasonable guideline.

      Under the provisions of the bill the court may require an alimony recipient who fails to comply with this notification provision to pay any reasonable attorney fees and court costs incurred by the payor spouse as a result of such non-compliance.

      This bill embodies Recommendation 16 of the report of the Commission to Study the Laws of Divorce, issued April 18, 1995.

      This bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 1494, sponsored by Senators Martin and Palaia, which was also released by this committee on November 18, 1996.