112 STAT. 2128 PUBLIC LAW 105-261—OCT. 17, 1998 Subtitle G—Other Department of Defense Matters 5 USC 5520a SEC. 1061. PILOT PROGRAM ON ALTERNATIVE NOTICE OF RECEIPT note. OF LEGAL PROCESS FOR GARNISHMENT OF FEDERAL PAY FOR CHILD SUPPORT AND ALIMONY. (a) PROGRAM REQUIRED. —The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a pilot program on alternative notice procedures for withholding or garnishment of pay for the payment of child support and alimony under section 459 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 659). (b) PURPOSE. —The purpose of the pilot program is to test the efficacy of providing notice in accordance with subsection (c) to the person whose pay is to be withheld or garnished. (c) AUTHORIZATION OF ALTERNATIVE To PROVIDING COPY OF NOTICE OR SERVICE RECEIVED BY THE SECRETARY.—(1) Under the pilot program, whenever the Secretary of Defense (acting through the DOD section 459 agent) provides a section 459 notice to an individual, the Secretary may include as part of that notice the information specified in subsection (e) in lieu of sending with that notice a copy (otherwise required pursuant to the parenthetical phrase in section 459(c)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act) of the notice or service received by the DOD section 459 agent with respect to that individual's child support or alimony payment obligations. (2) Under the pilot program, whenever the Secretary of Defense (acting through the DOD section 5520a agent) provides a section 5520a notice to an individual, the Secretary may include as part of that notice the information specified in subsection (e) in lieu of sending with that notice a copy (otherwise required pursuant to the second parenthetical phrase in section 5520a(c) of title 5, United States Code) of the legal process received by the DOD section 5520a agent with respect to that individual. (d) DEFINITIONS. — For purposes of this section: (1) DOD SECTION 459 AGENT.— The term "DOD section 459 agent" means the agent or agents designated by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (c)(1)(A) of section 459 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 659) to receive orders and accept service of process in matters related to child support or alimony. (2) SECTION 459 NOTICE.— The term "section 459 notice" means, with respect to the Department of Defense, the notice required by subsection (c)(2)(A) of section 459 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 659) to be sent to an individual in writing upon the receipt by the DOD section 459 agent of notice or service with respect to the individual's child support or alimony payment obligations. (3) DOD SECTION 5520A AGENT. — -The term "DOD section 5520a agent" means a person who is designated by law or regulation to accept service of process to which the Department of Defense is subject under section 5520a of title 5, United States Code (including the regulations promulgated under subsection (k) of that section). (4) SECTION 5520A NOTICE.— The term "section 5520a notice" means, with respect to the Department of Defense, the notice required by subsection (c) of section 5520a of title 5, United States Code, to be sent in writing to an employee (or, pursuant
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