SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY

Jacksonville Ordinance Code tit. III, ch. 25, pt. 2

in effect

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 25.201 Establishment.

Sec. 25.201. - Establishment. There is established within the Office of General Counsel an activity to be known as the Support Enforcement Activity. This activity shall be under the supervision of an Assistant General Counsel, who shall be appointed by the General Counsel at a rate of compensation to be fixed from time to time by the General Counsel, subject to the approval of the Mayor. The Assistant General Counsel shall be a member in good standing of The Florida Bar and shall devote his entire time and attention to the performance of his duties. (Ord. 80-748-384, § 3; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 25.202 Lawful general County purpose; territorial application.

Sec. 25.202. - Lawful general County purpose; territorial application. The establishment and maintenance of the Support Enforcement Activity is a public need and is hereby declared to be a lawful general County purpose. The Support Enforcement Activity shall have authority throughout the General Services District and it may exercise like authority in any other County as provided in Section 25.204. (Ord. 80-748-384, § 3; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 25.203 Functions.

Sec. 25.203. - Functions. Subject to the general supervision of the General Counsel, the Support Enforcement Activity shall investigate and enforce all cases referred to it by the Child Support Enforcement Unit, State Department of Children and Family Services, and more particularly: (a) Institute paternity actions and child support actions unconnected with dissolutions of marriage. (b) Establish and enforce any existing child support orders of any state or jurisdiction. (c) Seek commencement of child support payments in which prior orders failed to provide for such payment. (d) Seek increases in previously ordered child support, where warranted by circumstances. (e) Seek collection of public debts as set forth in F.S. § 409.2561(1). (f) Represent persons pursuant to a contract with the state and its agencies for the purpose of implementing Title IV(D) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. §§ 651—662] and F.S. Ch. 409. (g) Handle such ancillary matters connected with the foregoing functions as shall be necessary to effect the purposes set forth in this Part. (Ord. 80-748-384, § 3; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 25.204 Expansion of activity into other counties authorized.

Sec. 25.204. - Expansion of activity into other counties authorized. (a) The expansion of the Support Enforcement Activity into any other county contiguous to Duval County is hereby authorized. If an office is established in another county, the provisions of Section 116.110 shall not be applicable with respect to the Assistant Counsels and other employees of the Support Enforcement Activity who work in the other county, so long as their principal place of work is outside Duval County. (b) Before the Support Enforcement Activity begins operations in a county into which expansion has been authorized, the Board of County Commissioners of that county shall execute an interlocal agreement with the City to provide necessary funding, sufficient office space, clerical and stenographic assistance and investigations as are deemed necessary by the General Counsel and approved by the Board of County Commissioners of that county. This interlocal agreement shall provide that funds made available for financial support of such office shall be paid to the City. (Ord. 80-748-384, § 2; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 25.205 Authority to execute contracts.

Sec. 25.205. - Authority to execute contracts. The Mayor and Corporation Secretary shall have the authority to enter into contracts between the City and the State of Florida and its agencies and also with other counties to provide for financial and other support that may be made available by the state or the counties for the operation of the Support Enforcement Activity. A contract which would obligate the City financially may not be executed without prior approval from the Council. (Ord. 80-748-384, § 2; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 25.206 Nonpublic-assistance cases authorized.

Sec. 25.206. - Nonpublic-assistance cases authorized. The Support Enforcement Activity is authorized to accept cases not referred to it under Section 25.204 in which there already exist court orders for child support entered by the courts of this state or any other jurisdiction and may, with respect to these cases, request the Circuit Court to enforce the orders, using contempt proceedings only. The General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel or an Assistant Counsel assigned to the Support Enforcement Activity may represent private individuals for the purpose of seeking enforcement of court orders for child support as provided in this Section and the General Counsel shall establish a schedule of fees to be charged in these cases, which schedule may provide for the charging of no fee in appropriate instances and a requirement that public assistance moneys being furnished to a client be used to pay a fee so charged. The Support Enforcement Activity may conduct investigations and handle ancillary matters connected with the cases hereby authorized to be accepted as shall be necessary to effect the purpose expressed in this Section. The authority granted under Sections 25.204 and 25.206 shall apply to the cases authorized under this Section. (Ord. 83-601-474, § 1)

Source: City of Jacksonville, Ordinance Code and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIIEXBR_CH25OFGECO_PT2SUENACFetched: 10/27/2026