News In Brief

Reagan signs bill aimed at ensuring child support

President Reagan yesterday signed a bill aimed at cracking down on delinquent parents who fail to meet child-support payments. The measure, passed with overwhelming congressional support, amends the Social Security Act to require states and other governments to withhold income from parents who don't make their child-suppor payments. It requires states to guarantee wages if a parent fails to make a court-ordered support payment after 30 days. It also provides for interception of federal and state tax-refund checks to cover back payments