Any payment of public assistance money by the Department of Human Services, hereinafter referred to as "Department," to or for the benefit of any dependent child or children or a child in the custody of the Department creates a debt due and owing to the State of Oklahoma by the natural or adoptive parent or parents who are responsible for support of such child or children in an amount equal to the amount of public assistance money so paid.
Provided, that any debt under this section shall not be incurred by nor at any time be collected from a parent or other person who is the recipient of public assistance monies for the benefit of minor dependent children for the period such person or persons are in such status.
Provided further, that where there has been a court order, the debt shall be limited to the amount provided for by said order. The Department shall have the right to petition the appropriate court for modification of a court order on the same grounds as a party to said cause. The Department shall be subrogated to the right of said child or children to prosecute or maintain any support action or execute any administrative remedy existing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma to obtain reimbursement of money thus expended.
Added by Laws 1977, c. 173, § 1, emerg. eff. June 3, 1977. Amended by Laws 1990, c. 302, § 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1990.