A parent receiving child support payment collected by the state will pay $25 a year for the service under a bill passed by the Senate on Thursday, despite opposition from senators who called it unfair.

“It’s the wrong message to send,” said Sen. James Brochin, a Towson Democrat, who pointed out that 18 states don’t charge such a fee.

“This isn’t a fee that anybody feels good about,” said Senate Judicial Proceedings Chairman Brian Frosh. Federal funds are being cut for the program, and “the money’s got to come from somewhere.”

The fee for a custodial parent who gets at $500 a year in support payments and has never received welfare aid would generate $1.9 million annually.

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“It’s sad that we have to do this,” Frosh said. The Child Support Enforcement Administration uses the money to track down mostly deadbeat dads and sue them, establish paternity, and garnish wages, tax refunds and other payments.

“We do not have to charge this fee,” Brochin said.

Sen. Jennie Forehand, a Montgomery County Democrat like Frosh, pointed out that the annual fee only amounts to $2.50 a month, and Sen. Ed Kasemeyer, vice chairman of Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, said there was no testimony against the proposal.

The bill passed 34-11.

llazarick@baltimoreexaminer.com