SNAP recipients who can prove an “important reason” for not taking part in child benefit within the meaning of federal law would be exempt from the new requirement. This includes circumstances where working together would make it difficult for the parent or child to escape domestic violence, sexual abuse, or mental abuse.

Scott Centorino of the conservative think tank Foundation for Government Accountability was the only supporter to testify in favor of the law. He pointed to similar laws that had been passed in other states, which he believed had led to a large increase in child support collections.

“Single mothers get the money they owe so they can get out of welfare,” Centorino said. Regarding the requirement that these welfare beneficiaries work with child support programs, he added, “Most of the time, this just means not slamming the door in front of people trying to get you the support you owe.”

However, more than a dozen opponents of the legislation painted a terrible picture of how this requirement would affect single parents, especially women. The chairman of the committee, Rep. Dennis Lenz, R-Billings, limited the speakers to three minutes each.

Breanna Belgard, a victim advocate from Dillon, told the committee that many women have valid reasons not to participate in government child welfare programs. She told the story of her friend who had a judicial maintenance contract with an abusive former partner for her three children.