DELAWARE: Funds sought to replace child support enforcement system

DOVER, Del. (AP) _ Delaware's Child Support Enforcement Division wants more than $4 million to fund a new automated system for locating, processing and collecting payments.

Division Director Charles Hayward says the money would cover about one-third of the state's share of the $42 million cost. The federal government would pay most of the rest.

Hayward told state lawmakers at a budget hearing Thursday that replacing the current 20-year-old system is top priority.

The division is also seeking $161,400 as part of a federal match to hire six staff members for the new automated system, and $211,100 in contractual services for parts of the project.

The new system isn't expected to be online until 2011.