5:12-100.2 Prompt notice of award of annuity jackpot; offset, lien for child support arrearages.

5. a. Each slot system operator that awards an annuity jackpot shall provide prompt notice to the division of the name, address and social security number of each annuity jackpot winner and the amount of the pending payments. The division shall forward such information to the Office of Information Technology in but not of the Department of the Treasury.

b. The Office of Information Technology shall cross check the annuity jackpot winner list with the data supplied by the Commissioner of Human Services pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.384 (C.5:9-13.2) for a social security number match. If a match is made, the Office of Information Technology shall notify the Commissioner of Human Services.

c. If an annuity jackpot winner is in arrears of a child support order, or is a former recipient of Aid to Families with Dependent Children or Work First New Jersey, food stamp benefits or low-income home energy assistance benefits who has incurred an overpayment which has not been repaid, the Probation Division of the Superior Court or the Department of Human Services, as appropriate, shall promptly notify the slot system operator of the name, address, social security number and amount due on an arrears child support order or the amount due on an overpayment. The slot system operator shall withhold this amount from the pending annuity jackpot payment and transmit same to the Probation Division of the Superior Court or the Department of Human Services, as appropriate, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the State Treasurer.

d. The Probation Division of the Superior Court, acting as agent for the child support payee or the county welfare agency that provided the public assistance benefits, as appropriate, shall have a lien on the proceeds of the annuity jackpot payment in an amount equal to the amount of child support arrearage or the amount of overpayment incurred, as appropriate. The lien imposed by this section shall be enforceable in the Superior Court. Any of the annuity jackpot winner's funds remaining after withholding pursuant to the lien established pursuant to this section shall be paid to the winner in accordance with the rules of the division.

e. The Commissioner of Human Services shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section including, but not limited to, regulations providing for prompt notice to any annuity jackpot winner, from whose payments the Probation Division of the Superior Court or the Department of Human Services seeks to withhold funds, of the amount to be withheld and the reason therefor and providing the annuity jackpot winner with the opportunity for a hearing upon request prior to the disposition of any funds.

f. The State Treasurer shall also provide, by regulation, safeguards against the disclosure or inappropriate use of any personally identifiable information regarding any person obtained pursuant to this section.

g. For the purposes of this section, "prompt notice" shall mean notice within 14 days or less.

L.2005, c.46, s.5; amended 2007, c.56, s.17; 2011, c.19, s.67.