Any person, firm, corporation, association, political subdivision or department of the Commonwealth employing a person owing a support debt or obligation, shall honor an assignment of earnings to satisfy or retire a support debt or obligation of such person when ordered by the Commissioner by a payroll deduction order conforming to § 20-79.3. The rights and obligations of employees with respect to an order issued pursuant to this section are set out in § 20-79.3. Payment of moneys pursuant to an assignment of earnings presented by the Commissioner shall serve as full acquittance under any contract of employment, and the Commonwealth warrants and represents that it shall defend and hold harmless such action taken pursuant to such assignment of earnings. The Commissioner shall be released from liability for improper receipt of moneys under an assignment of earnings upon return of any moneys so received.

Any assignment of earnings presented under this section shall not be subject to the requirements set forth in § 40.1-31.