PLEASE NOTE: The Office of the Revisor of Statutes cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
Public Law
124th Legislature
First Regular Session
Chapter 95
S.P. 164 - L.D. 461
An Act To Adopt Amendments to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§2,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
2. Child support order.    “Child support order” means a support order for a child, including a child who has attained the age of majority under the law of the issuing state or foreign country.
Sec. 2.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§2-A  is enacted to read:
 
2-A.  Convention.      “Convention” means the Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance concluded at The Hague on November 23, 2007.
Sec. 3.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§3-A  is enacted to read:
 
3-A.  Foreign country.      “Foreign country” means a country, including a political subdivision thereof, other than the United States, that under its law authorizes the issuance of support orders and:
 
 A.  Has been declared under the law of the United States to be a foreign reciprocating country;
 
 B.  Has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this State as provided in section 3008-A;
 
 C.  Has enacted a law or established procedures for the issuance and enforcement of support orders that are substantially similar to the procedures under this chapter; or
 
 D.  In which the Convention is in force with respect to the United States.
Sec. 4.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§3-B  is enacted to read:
 
3-B.  Foreign support order.      “Foreign support order” means a support order issued by a foreign tribunal.
Sec. 5.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§3-C  is enacted to read:
 
3-C.  Foreign tribunal.      “Foreign tribunal” means a court, administrative agency or quasi-judicial entity of a foreign country authorized to establish, enforce or modify support orders or to determine parentage of a child. “Foreign tribunal” includes a competent authority under the Convention.
Sec. 6.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§4,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
4. Home state.    “Home state” means the state or foreign country in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as parent for at least 6 consecutive months immediately preceding the time of filing of a petition or comparable pleading for support and, if a child is less than 6 months old, the state or foreign country in which the child lived from birth with a parent or a person acting as parent. A period of temporary absence of a parent or a person acting as parent is counted as part of the 6-month or other period.
Sec. 7.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§8,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
8. Initiating tribunal.    “Initiating tribunal” means the authorized tribunal in an initiating of a state or foreign country from which a petition or comparable pleading is forwarded or in which a petition or comparable pleading is filed for forwarding to another state or foreign country.
Sec. 8.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§8-A  is enacted to read:
 
8-A.  Issuing foreign country.      “Issuing foreign country” means the foreign country in which a tribunal issues a support order or judgment determining parentage.
Sec. 9.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§9,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
9. Issuing state.    “Issuing state” means the state in which a tribunal issues a support order or enters a judgment determining parentage of a child.
Sec. 10.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§10,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
10. Issuing tribunal.    “Issuing tribunal” means the tribunal of a state or foreign country that issues a support order or enters a judgment determining parentage of a child.
Sec. 11.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§11-A  is enacted to read:
 
11-A.  Outside this State.      “Outside this State” means a location in another state or a country other than the United States, whether or not the country meets the definition of “foreign country” under subsection 3-A.
Sec. 12.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§12,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
12. Obligee.    “Obligee” means:
 
A.  An individual to whom a duty of support is or is alleged to be owed or in whose favor a support order has been issued or a judgment determining parentage of a child has been entered issued;
 
B.  A foreign country or a state or a political subdivision of a state to which the rights under a duty of support or support order have been assigned or that has independent claims based on financial assistance provided to an individual obligee in place of child support; or
 
C.  An individual seeking a judgment determining parentage of the individual’s child. ; or
 
 D.  A person that is a creditor in a proceeding subject to subchapter 7-A.
Sec. 13.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§13,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
13. Obligor.    “Obligor” means an individual or the estate of a decedent:
 
A.  Who owes or is alleged to owe a duty of support;
 
B.  Who is alleged but has not been adjudicated to be a parent of a child; or
 
C.  Who is liable under a support order. ; or
 
 D.  Who is a debtor in a proceeding under subchapter 7-A.
Sec. 14.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§13-A,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §2, is amended to read:
 
13-A. Person.    “Person” means an individual; corporation; business trust; estate; trust; partnership; limited liability company; association; joint venture; public corporation; government; or governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality; public corporation; or any other legal or commercial entity.
Sec. 15.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§14,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
14. Register.    “Register” means to file in a tribunal of this State a support order or judgment determining parentage in the registry of foreign support orders of a child issued in another state or foreign country.
Sec. 16.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§15,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
15. Registering tribunal.    “Registering tribunal” means a tribunal in which a support order or judgment determining parentage of a child is registered.
Sec. 17.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§16,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §3, is further amended to read:
 
16. Responding state.    “Responding state” means a state in which a proceeding petition or comparable pleading for support or to determine parentage of a child is filed or to which a proceeding petition or comparable pleading is forwarded for filing from an initiating another state under this chapter or a law or procedure substantially similar to this chapter or a foreign country.
Sec. 18.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§17,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
17. Responding tribunal.    “Responding tribunal” means the authorized tribunal in a responding state or foreign country.
Sec. 19.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§19,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §4, is amended to read:
 
19. State.    “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The term “state” includes: an Indian nation or tribe.
 
 A.   An Indian tribe; and
 
 B.   A foreign country or political subdivision that:
 
(1) Has been declared to be a foreign reciprocating country or political subdivision under federal law;
 
(2) Has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this State as provided in section 3008-A; or
 
(3) Has enacted a law or established procedures for issuance and enforcement of support orders that are substantially similar to the procedures under this chapter.
Sec. 20.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§21,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §§5 and 6 and c. 689, Pt. B, §6, is further amended to read:
 
21. Support enforcement agency.    “Support enforcement agency” means a public official or agency authorized to seek:
 
A.  Enforcement Seek enforcement of support orders or laws relating to the duty of support;
 
B.  Establishment Seek establishment or modification of child support;
 
C.  Determination Request determination of parentage;
 
D.  The location of Attempt to locate obligors or their assets; or
 
E.  Determination Request determination of the controlling child support order.
 
The support enforcement agency in this State is the Department of Health and Human Services.
Sec. 21.   19-A MRSA §2802, sub-§22,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §7, is further amended to read:
 
22. Support order.    “Support order” means a judgment, decree, order, decision or directive, whether temporary, final or subject to modification, issued by a tribunal in a state or foreign country for the benefit of a child, a spouse or a former spouse, that provides for monetary support, health care, arrearages, retroactive support or reimbursement for financial assistance provided to an individual obligee in place of child support. “Support order” may include related costs and fees, interest, income withholding, automatic adjustment, reasonable attorney’s fees and other relief.
Sec. 22.   19-A MRSA §2802-A  is enacted to read:
§ 2802-A.   State tribunal and support enforcement agency
 
1.  State tribunals.      The District Court and the Department of Health and Human Services are tribunals of this State.
 
2.  State support enforcement agency.      The Department of Health and Human Services is the support enforcement agency of this State.
Sec. 23.   19-A MRSA §2803, sub-§1,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §8, is amended to read:
 
1. Remedies cumulative.    Remedies provided by this chapter are cumulative and do not affect the availability of remedies under other law, including or the recognition of a support order of a foreign country or political subdivision on the basis of comity.
Sec. 24.   19-A MRSA §2804  is enacted to read:
§ 2804.   Application of chapter to resident of foreign country and foreign support proceeding
 
1.  Support proceeding.      A tribunal of this State shall apply this subchapter, subchapters 2 to 6 and, as applicable, subchapter 7-A to a support proceeding involving:
 
 A.  A foreign support order;
 
 B.  A foreign tribunal; or
 
 C.  An obligee, obligor or child residing in a foreign country.
 
2.  Comity.      A tribunal of this State that is requested to recognize and enforce a support order on the basis of comity may apply the procedural and substantive provisions of this subchapter and subchapters 2 to 6.
 
3.  Proceeding subject to the Convention.      Subchapter 7-A applies only to a support proceeding under the Convention. In such a proceeding, if a provision of subchapter 7-A is inconsistent with a provision of this subchapter or subchapters 2 to 6, subchapter 7-A controls.
Sec. 25.   19-A MRSA §2961, sub-§2,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §10, is amended to read:
 
2. Use of bases to establish personal jurisdiction.    The bases of personal jurisdiction set forth in subsection 1 or in any other law of this State may not be used to acquire personal jurisdiction for a tribunal of the this State to modify a child support order of another state unless the requirements of section 3253 or 3257 are met or, in the case of a foreign support order, unless the requirements of section 3261 are met.
Sec. 26.   19-A MRSA §2963,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §10, is amended to read:
§ 2963.  Initiating and responding tribunal of this State
Under this chapter, a tribunal of this State may serve as an initiating tribunal to forward proceedings to a tribunal of another state and as a responding tribunal for proceedings initiated in another state or foreign country.
Sec. 27.   19-A MRSA §2964,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §10, is amended to read:
§ 2964.  Simultaneous proceedings
 
1. Exercise of jurisdiction when filed in another state.    A tribunal of this State may exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order when the petition or comparable pleading is filed after a petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state or a foreign country only if:
 
A. The petition or comparable pleading in this State is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the other state or the foreign country for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by the other state or the foreign country;
 
B. The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in the other state or the foreign country; and
 
C.  When relevant, this This State is the home state of the child, if that is a relevant factor.
 
2. Jurisdiction may not be exercised when filed in another state.    A tribunal of this State may not exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order when the petition or comparable pleading is filed before a petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state or a foreign country if:
 
A. The petition or comparable pleading in the other state or the foreign country is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in this State for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by this State;
 
B. The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in this State; and
 
C.  When relevant, the The other state or the foreign country is the home state of the child, if that is a relevant factor.
Sec. 28.   19-A MRSA §2966, sub-§1, ¶B,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §10, is amended to read:
 
B.  A money judgment for arrears of support and interest on the order accrued before a determination that an order of a tribunal of another state is the controlling order.
Sec. 29.   19-A MRSA §2967, sub-§2,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §10, is amended to read:
 
2. Recognition of orders; 2 or more tribunals.    If a proceeding is brought under this chapter and 2 or more child support orders have been issued by tribunals of this State or another state or a foreign country with regard to the same obligor and same child, a tribunal of this State having personal jurisdiction over both the obligor and individual obligee shall apply the following rules and by order shall determine which order controls and must be recognized.
 
A.  If only one of the tribunals has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this chapter, the order of that tribunal controls and must be so recognized.
 
B.  If more than one of the tribunals has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this chapter:
 
(1) An order issued by a tribunal in the current home state of the child controls; or
 
(2) If an order has not been issued in the current home state of the child, the order most recently issued controls.
 
C.  If none of the tribunals have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this chapter, the tribunal of this State shall issue a child support order, which controls.
Sec. 30.   19-A MRSA §2967, sub-§3,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §10, is amended to read:
 
3. Request for order.    If 2 or more child support orders have been issued for the same obligor and same child, upon request of a party who is an individual or that is a support enforcement agency, a tribunal of this State having personal jurisdiction over both the obligor and the obligee who is an individual shall determine which order controls under subsection 2. The request may be filed with a registration for enforcement or registration for modification pursuant to subchapter 6 or may be filed as a separate proceeding.
Sec. 31.   19-A MRSA §2968,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §10, is amended to read:
§ 2968.  Child support orders for 2 or more obligees
In responding to registrations or petitions for enforcement of 2 or more child support orders in effect at the same time with regard to the same obligor and different individual obligees, at least one of which was issued by a tribunal of another state or a foreign country, a tribunal of this State shall enforce those orders in the same manner as if the orders had been issued by a tribunal of this State.
Sec. 32.   19-A MRSA §2969,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §10, is amended to read:
§ 2969.  Credit for payments
A tribunal of this State shall credit amounts collected for a particular period pursuant to any child support order against the amounts owed for the same period under any other child support order for support of the same child issued by a tribunal of this State or another state or a foreign country.
Sec. 33.   19-A MRSA §2970,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §10, is amended to read:
§ 2970.  Application of chapter to nonresident subject to personal jurisdiction
A tribunal of this State exercising personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a proceeding under this chapter or under other laws of this State relating to a support order or recognizing a foreign support order of a foreign country or political subdivision on the basis of comity may receive evidence from another state outside this State pursuant to section 3016, communicate with a tribunal of another state outside this State pursuant to section 3017 and obtain discovery through a tribunal of another state outside this State pursuant to section 3018. In all other respects, subchapters 3 to 7 7-A do not apply and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this State.
Sec. 34.   19-A MRSA §2971, sub-§2,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §10, is amended to read:
 
2. Spousal support issued by another state or foreign country.    A tribunal of this State may not modify a spousal support order issued by a tribunal of another state or a foreign country having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over that order under the law of that state or foreign country.
Sec. 35.   19-A MRSA §3001, sub-§1-A,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §11, is amended to read:
 
1-A. Initiation of proceedings.    An individual petitioner or a support enforcement agency may initiate a proceeding authorized under this chapter by filing a petition in an initiating tribunal for forwarding to a responding tribunal or by filing a petition or a comparable pleading directly in a tribunal of another state or a foreign country that has or can obtain personal jurisdiction over the respondent.
Sec. 36.   19-A MRSA §3004-A, sub-§2,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §14, is amended to read:
 
2. Issue certificate or document; make findings; specify amount.    If requested by the responding tribunal, a tribunal of this State shall issue a certificate or other document and make findings required by the law of the responding state. If the responding state tribunal is in a foreign country or political subdivision, upon request the tribunal of this State shall specify the amount of support sought, convert that amount into the equivalent amount in the foreign currency under the applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported and provide any other documents necessary to satisfy the requirements of the responding state foreign tribunal.
Sec. 37.   19-A MRSA §3005, sub-§2, ¶A,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §15, is further amended to read:
 
A.  Issue Establish or enforce a support order, modify a child support order, determine the controlling child support order or render a judgment to determine parentage of a child;
Sec. 38.   19-A MRSA §3005, sub-§2, ¶H,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
H. Order an obligor to keep the tribunal informed of the obligor’s current residential address, e-mail address, telephone number, employer, address of employment and telephone number at the place of employment;
Sec. 39.   19-A MRSA §3007, sub-§1,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
1. Services to petitioner.    The department, upon application and request by an individual or upon request of the support enforcement agency of another state, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under this chapter.
Sec. 40.   19-A MRSA §3007, sub-§2, ¶A,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
A. Take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate tribunal in of this State or another state or a foreign country to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent;
Sec. 41.   19-A MRSA §3007, sub-§2-C,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §18, is amended to read:
 
2-C. Issuance upon request.    The department shall issue or request a tribunal of this State to issue a child support order and an income-withholding order that redirect payment of current support, arrears and interest if requested to do so by a support enforcement agency of another state pursuant to Section 319 of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act section 3019.
Sec. 42.   19-A MRSA §3008-A, 2nd ¶,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §19, is amended to read:
The Attorney General may determine that a foreign country or political subdivision has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this State and take appropriate action for notification of the determination.
Sec. 43.   19-A MRSA §3010,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §20, is repealed.
Sec. 44.   19-A MRSA §3010-A  is enacted to read:
§ 3010-A.   Duties of the department as the state information agency
 
1.  State information agency.      The department is the state information agency.
 
2.  Duties.      The state information agency shall:
 
 A.  Compile and maintain a current list, including addresses, of the tribunals in this State that have jurisdiction under this chapter and the department and transmit a copy to the state information agency of every other state;
 
 B.  Maintain a register of the names and addresses of tribunals and support enforcement agencies received from other states;
 
 C.  Forward to the appropriate tribunal in the state in which the obligee who is an individual or the obligor resides, or in which the obligor’s property is believed to be located, all documents concerning a proceeding under this chapter received from another state or a foreign country; and
 
 D.  Obtain information concerning the location of the obligor and the obligor’s property within this State not exempt from execution, by such means as postal verification and federal or state locator services, examination of telephone directories, requests for the obligor’s address from employers and examination of governmental records, including, to the extent not prohibited by other law, those relating to real property, vital statistics, law enforcement, taxation, motor vehicles, driver’s licenses and social security.
Sec. 45.   19-A MRSA §3011, sub-§1,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §21, is further amended to read:
 
1. Petition; contents.    In a proceeding under this chapter, a petitioner seeking to establish a support order, to determine parentage of a child or to register and modify a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country must file a petition. Unless otherwise ordered under section 3012, the petition or accompanying documents must provide, so far as known, the names, residential addresses and social security numbers of the obligor and the obligee or the parent and alleged parent, and the name, sex, residential address, social security number and date of birth of each child for whose benefit support is sought or whose parentage is to be determined. Unless filed at the time of registration, the petition must be accompanied by a copy of any support order known to have been issued by another tribunal. The petition may include any other information that may assist in locating or identifying the respondent.
Sec. 46.   19-A MRSA §3013, sub-§2,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
2. Fees and costs if obligee prevails.    If an obligee prevails, a responding tribunal of this State may assess against an obligor filing fees, reasonable attorney’s fees, other costs and necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by the obligee and the obligee’s witnesses. The tribunal may not assess fees, costs or expenses against the obligee or the support enforcement agency of either the initiating or the responding state or foreign country, except as provided by other law. Attorney’s fees may be taxed as costs and may be ordered paid directly to the attorney, who may enforce the order in the attorney’s own name. Payment of support owed to the obligee has priority over fees, costs and expenses.
Sec. 47.   19-A MRSA §3016, sub-§1,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §24, is further amended to read:
 
1. Physical presence not required.    The physical presence of a nonresident party who is an individual in a tribunal of this State is not required for the establishment, enforcement or modification of a support order or the rendition of a judgment determining parentage of a child.
Sec. 48.   19-A MRSA §3016, sub-§2,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §24, is further amended to read:
 
2. Admissible evidence.    An affidavit, a document substantially complying with federally mandated forms or a document incorporated by reference in any of them that would not be excluded under the hearsay rule if given in person is admissible in evidence if given under penalty of perjury by a party or witness residing in another state outside this State.
Sec. 49.   19-A MRSA §3016, sub-§4,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
4. Copies of bills admissible.    Copies of bills for testing for parentage of a child and for prenatal and postnatal health care of the mother and child, furnished to the adverse party at least 10 days before trial, are admissible in evidence to prove the amount of the charges billed and that the charges were reasonable, necessary and customary.
Sec. 50.   19-A MRSA §3016, sub-§5,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §24, is further amended to read:
 
5. No objection based on means of transmission.    Documentary evidence transmitted from another state outside this State to a tribunal of this State by telephone, telecopier or other electronic means that does not provide an original record may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.
Sec. 51.   19-A MRSA §3016, sub-§6,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §24, is further amended to read:
 
6. Testimony not in person.    In a proceeding under this chapter, a tribunal of this State shall permit a party or witness residing in another state outside this State to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual means or other electronic means at a designated tribunal or other location in that state. A tribunal of this State shall cooperate with other tribunals of other states in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.
Sec. 52.   19-A MRSA §3017,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §26, is further amended to read:
§ 3017.  Communications between tribunals
A tribunal of this State may communicate with a tribunal of another state or foreign country or political subdivision outside this State in a record, in an e-mail or by telephone or other means to obtain information concerning the laws; the legal effect of a judgment, decree or order of that tribunal; and the status of a proceeding in the other state or foreign country or political subdivision. A tribunal of this State may furnish similar information by similar means to a tribunal of another state or foreign country or political subdivision outside this State.
Sec. 53.   19-A MRSA §3018,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
§ 3018.  Assistance with discovery
A tribunal of this State may:
 
1. Request a tribunal outside this State.    Request a tribunal of another state outside this State to assist in obtaining discovery; and
 
2. Compel response.    Upon request, compel a person over whom it has jurisdiction to respond to a discovery order issued by a tribunal of another state outside this State.
Sec. 54.   19-A MRSA §3019, sub-§1,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §27, is amended to read:
 
1. Disburse promptly.    The department shall disburse promptly any amounts received pursuant to a support order as directed by the order. The department shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of another state or foreign country a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amounts and dates of all payments received.
Sec. 55.   19-A MRSA §3051, sub-§1,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
1. Responding tribunal may issue support order.    If a support order entitled to recognition under this chapter has not been issued, a responding tribunal of this State with personal jurisdiction over the parties may issue a support order if:
 
A.  The individual seeking the order resides in another state outside this State; or
 
B.  The support enforcement agency seeking the order is located in another state outside this State.
Sec. 56.   19-A MRSA §3052  is enacted to read:
§ 3052.   Proceeding to determine parentage
A tribunal of this State authorized to determine parentage of a child may serve as a responding tribunal in a proceeding to determine parentage of a child brought under this chapter or a law or procedure substantially similar to this chapter.
Sec. 57.   19-A MRSA §3101-C,  as enacted by PL 1997, c. 669, §21, is amended to read:
§ 3101-C.  Immunity from civil liability
An employer who that complies with an income-withholding order issued in another state in accordance with this subchapter is not subject to civil liability to an individual or support enforcement agency with regard to the employer’s withholding of child support payments from the obligor’s income.
Sec. 58.   19-A MRSA §3101-D,  as enacted by PL 1997, c. 669, §21, is amended to read:
§ 3101-D.  Penalties for noncompliance
An employer who that willfully fails to comply with an income-withholding order issued by in another state and received for enforcement is subject to the same penalties that may be imposed for noncompliance with an order issued by a tribunal of this State.
Sec. 59.   19-A MRSA §3102,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §34, is further amended to read:
§ 3102.  Administrative enforcement of orders
 
1. Documents to state information agency.    A party residing in another state or a support enforcement agency seeking to enforce a support order or an income-withholding order, or both, issued by a tribunal of in another state or a foreign support order shall send the documents required for registering the order to the department.
 
2. Consider and enforce.    Upon receipt of the documents, the department, without initially seeking to register the order, shall consider and, if appropriate, use any administrative procedure authorized by the law of this State to enforce a support order or an income-withholding order, or both. If the obligor does not contest administrative enforcement, the order need not be registered. If the obligor contests the validity or administrative enforcement of the order, the support enforcement agency shall register the order pursuant to this chapter.
Sec. 60.   19-A MRSA §3150  is enacted to read:
§ 3150.   Registration of order for enforcement
A support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or a foreign country may be registered in this State for enforcement.
Sec. 61.   19-A MRSA §3151, sub-§1,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §36, is further amended to read:
 
1. Required documents and information.    The department may register Except as otherwise provided in section 3316, a support order or an income-withholding order of another state or a foreign support order may be registered in this State by forwarding sending the following records and information to the appropriate court tribunal in this State for registration in this State for enforcement:
 
A.  A letter of transmittal to the tribunal requesting registration and enforcement;
 
B.  Two copies, including one certified copy, of the order to be registered, including any modification of an order;
 
C.  A sworn statement by the person requesting registration or a certified statement by the custodian of the records showing the amount of any arrearages;
 
D.  The name of the obligor and, if known:
 
(1) The obligor’s address and social security number;
 
(2) The name and address of the obligor’s employer and any other source of income of the obligor; and
 
(3) A description and the location of property of the obligor in this State not exempt from execution; and
 
E.  Except as otherwise provided in section 3012, the name and address of the obligee and, if applicable, the agency or person to whom support payments are to be remitted.
Sec. 62.   19-A MRSA §3151, sub-§2,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
2. File as foreign judgment.    Upon On receipt of a request for registration, the registering tribunal shall file cause the order to be filed as a foreign judgment an order of another state or foreign country, together with one copy of the documents and information, regardless of their form.
Sec. 63.   19-A MRSA §3152,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt, B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
§ 3152.  Effect of registration for enforcement
 
1. Registered when filed.    A support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or a foreign support order is registered when the order is filed in the registering tribunal of this State.
 
2. Enforceability of registered order.    A registered support order issued in another state or a foreign country is enforceable in the same manner and is subject to the same procedures as an order issued by a tribunal of this State.
 
3. Recognition and enforcement of registered order; no modification.    Except as otherwise provided in this article chapter, a tribunal of this State shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, a registered support order if the issuing tribunal had jurisdiction.
Sec. 64.   19-A MRSA §3153,  as repealed and replaced by PL 2003, c. 436, §37, is amended to read:
§ 3153.  Choice of law
 
1. Current payments, other obligations and arrearages under order.    Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, the law of the issuing state or foreign country governs:
 
A.  The nature, extent, amount and duration of current payments under a registered support order;
 
B.  The computation and payment of arrearages and accrual of interest on the arrearages under the support order; and
 
C.  The existence and satisfaction of other obligations under the support order.
 
2. Proceeding for arrears.    In a proceeding for arrears under a registered support order, the statute of limitation of this State or of the issuing state or foreign country, whichever is for a longer period of time, applies.
 
3. Procedures and remedies of this State.    A responding tribunal of this State shall apply the procedures and remedies of this State to enforce current support and collect arrears and interest due on a support order of another state or a foreign country registered in this State.
 
4. Application of law of state issuing controlling order.    After a tribunal of this State or another state determines which order is the controlling order and issues an order consolidating arrears, if any, a tribunal of this State shall prospectively apply the law of the state or foreign country issuing the controlling order, including its law on interest on arrears, on current and future support and on consolidated arrears.
Sec. 65.   19-A MRSA §3201, sub-§1,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §38, is further amended to read:
 
1. Time and method of notice.    When a support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or a foreign support order is registered, the registering tribunal of this State shall notify the nonregistering party. The notice must be accompanied by a copy of the registered order and the documents and relevant information accompanying the order.
Sec. 66.   19-A MRSA §3201, sub-§2, ¶B,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §38, is further amended to read:
 
B.  That a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order must be requested within 20 days after notice unless the registered order is subject to section 3317;
Sec. 67.   19-A MRSA §3201, sub-§3, ¶A,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §38, is amended to read:
 
A. Identify the 2 or more orders and the order alleged by the registering person party to be the controlling order and the consolidated arrears, if any;
Sec. 68.   19-A MRSA §3201, sub-§4,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §38, is amended to read:
 
4. Notice of income-withholding order.    Upon registration of an income-withholding order for enforcement, the support enforcement agency or the registering tribunal shall notify the obligor’s employer pursuant to chapter 65, subchapter 4.
Sec. 69.   19-A MRSA §3202, sub-§1,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §39, is further amended to read:
 
1. Timing and remedies.    A nonregistering party seeking to contest the validity or enforcement of a registered support order in this State must shall request a hearing within 20 days after the date of mailing notice of the registration the time required by section 3201. The nonregistering party may seek to vacate the registration, to assert any defense to an allegation of noncompliance with the registered order or to contest the remedies being sought or the amount of any alleged arrearages pursuant to section 3203.
Sec. 70.   19-A MRSA §3202, sub-§2,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
2. Order confirmed if contest not timely.    If the nonregistering party fails to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered support order in a timely manner, the order is confirmed by operation of law.
Sec. 71.   19-A MRSA §3202, sub-§3,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
 
3. Notice of hearing to the parties.    If a nonregistering party requests a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered support order, the registering tribunal shall schedule the matter for hearing and give notice to the parties by first class mail of the date, time and place of the hearing.
Sec. 72.   19-A MRSA §3203,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §§40 and 41, is further amended to read:
§ 3203.  Contest of registration or enforcement
 
1. Defenses to contest validity or enforcement.    A party contesting the validity or enforcement of a registered support order or seeking to vacate the registration has the burden of proving one or more of the following defenses:
 
A.  The issuing tribunal lacked personal jurisdiction over the contesting party;
 
B.  The order was obtained by fraud;
 
C.  The order has been vacated, suspended or modified by a later order;
 
D.  The issuing tribunal has stayed the order pending appeal;
 
E.  There is a defense under the laws of this State to the remedy sought;
 
F.  Full or partial payment has been made;
 
G.  The statute of limitation under section 3153 precludes enforcement of some or all of the alleged arrearages; or
 
H.  The alleged controlling order is not the controlling order.
 
2. Full or partial defense.    If a party presents evidence establishing a full or partial defense under subsection 1, a tribunal may stay enforcement of the registered support order, continue the proceeding to permit production of additional relevant evidence and issue other appropriate orders. An uncontested portion of the registered support order may be enforced by all remedies available under the laws of this State.
 
3. Confirmation of order.    If the contesting party does not establish a defense under subsection 1 to the validity or enforcement of the a registered support order, the registering tribunal shall issue an order confirming the order.
Sec. 73.   19-A MRSA §3204,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
§ 3204.  Confirmed order
Confirmation of a registered support order, whether by operation of law or after notice and hearing, precludes further contest of the order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted at the time of registration.
Sec. 74.   19-A MRSA §3251,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:
§ 3251.  Procedure to register child support order of another state for modification
A party or support enforcement agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a child support order issued in another state shall register that order in this State in the same manner provided in article 1 sections 3150 to 3204 if the order has not been registered. A petition for modification may be filed at the same time as a request for registration, or later. The pleading must specify the grounds for modification.
Sec. 75.   19-A MRSA §3252,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 436, §42, is further amended to read:
§ 3252.  Effect of registration for modification
A tribunal of this State may enforce a child support order of another state registered for purposes of modification in the same manner as if the order had been issued by a tribunal of this State, but the registered support order may be modified only if the requirements of section 3253, or 3255 or 3257 have been met.
Sec. 76.   19-A MRSA §3253, sub-§1,  as repealed and replaced by PL 2003, c. 436, §43, is amended to read:
 
1. Modification of child support order of another state.    If section 3255 does not apply, except as otherwise provided in section 3257, upon petition a tribunal of this State upon petition may modify a child support order issued in another state that has been registered in this State if, after notice and hearing, the tribunal finds that:
 
A.  The following requirements are met:
 
(1) Neither the child, nor the obligee who is an individual, nor the obligor resides in the issuing state;
 
(2) A petitioner who is a nonresident of this State seeks modification; and
 
(3) The respondent is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this State; or
 
B.  This State is the state of residence of the child, or a party who is an individual is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal and all of the parties who are individuals have filed consents in a record in the issuing tribunal for a tribunal of this State to modify the support order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.
Sec. 77.   19-A MRSA §3253, sub-§3,  as repealed and replaced by PL 2003, c. 436, §43, is amended to read:
 
3. No modification.    Except as provided in section 3257, a A tribunal of this State may not modify any aspect of a child support order that may not be modified under the law of the issuing state, including the duration of the obligation of support. If 2 or more tribunals have issued child support orders for the same obligor and same child, the order that controls and must be recognized under section 2967 establishes the aspects of the child support order that are nonmodifiable.
Sec. 78.   19-A MRSA §3253, sub-§6  is enacted to read:
 
6.  Retained jurisdiction to modify an order issued in this State.      Notwithstanding subsections 1 to 4 and section 2961, subsection 2, a tribunal of this State retains jurisdiction to modify an order issued by a tribunal of this State if:
 
 A.  One party resides in another state; and
 
 B.  The other party resides outside the United States.
Sec. 79.   19-A MRSA §3255, sub-§2,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §45, is amended to read:
 
2. Application of laws.    A tribunal of this State exercising jurisdiction under this section shall apply the provisions of subchapters 1 and 2-A, this subchapter and the procedural and substantive law of this State to the proceeding for enforcement or modification. Subchapters 3, 4, 5, 7 7-A and 8 do not apply.
Sec. 80.   19-A MRSA §3257,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 436, §45, is repealed.
Sec. 81.   19-A MRSA c. 67, sub-c. 6, art. 4  is enacted to read:
 ARTICLE 4
REGISTRATION AND MODIFICATION OF FOREIGN CHILD SUPPORT ORDER
§ 3261.   Jurisdiction to modify child support order of foreign country
 
1.  Assumption of jurisdiction.      Except as otherwise provided in section 3321, if a foreign country lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to modify its child support order pursuant to its laws, a tribunal of this State may assume jurisdiction to modify the child support order and bind all individuals subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal whether the consent to modification of a child support order otherwise required of the individual pursuant to section 3253 has been given or whether the individual seeking modification is a resident of this State or of the foreign country.
 
2.  Controlling order.      An order issued by a tribunal of this State modifying a foreign child support order pursuant to this section is the controlling order.
§ 3262.   Procedure to register child support order of foreign country for modification
A party or support enforcement agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a foreign child support order not under the Convention may register that order in this State as provided in sections 3150 to 3204 if the order has not been registered. A petition for modification may be filed at the same time as a request for registration or at another time. The petition must specify the grounds for modification.
Sec. 82.   19-A MRSA c. 67, sub-c. 7,  as amended, is repealed.
Sec. 83.   19-A MRSA c. 67, sub-c. 7-A  is enacted to read:
 SUBCHAPTER 7-A
SUPPORT PROCEEDINGS SUBJECT TO CONVENTION
§ 3311.   Definitions
As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
 
1.  Application.      “Application” means a request under the Convention by an obligee or obligor, or on behalf of a child, made through a central authority for assistance from another central authority.
 
2.  Central authority.      “Central authority” means the entity designated by the United States or a foreign country described in section 2802, subsection 3-A to perform the functions specified in the Convention.
 
3.  Convention support order.      “Convention support order” means a support order of a tribunal of a foreign country described in section 2802, subsection 3-A.
 
4.  Direct request.      “Direct request” means a petition filed by an individual in a tribunal of this State in a proceeding involving an obligee, obligor or child residing outside the United States.
 
5.  Foreign support agreement.      “Foreign support agreement” means an agreement for support in a record that:
 
 A.  Is enforceable as a support order in the country of origin;
 
 B.  Has been formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument by a foreign tribunal or authenticated by or concluded, registered or filed with a foreign tribunal; and
 
 C.  May be reviewed and modified by a foreign tribunal.
 
”Foreign support agreement” includes a maintenance arrangement or authentic instrument under the Convention.
 
6.  United States central authority.      “United States central authority” means the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
§ 3312.   Applicability
This subchapter applies only to a support proceeding under the Convention. In such a proceeding, if a provision of this subchapter is inconsistent with a provision in subchapters 1 to 6, this subchapter controls.
§ 3313.   Relationship of the department to United States central authority
The Department of Health and Human Services of this State is recognized as the agency designated by the United States central authority to perform specific functions under the Convention.
§ 3314.   Initiation by department of support proceedings
 
1.  Duty of department.      In a proceeding pursuant to this subchapter, the department shall:
 
 A.  Transmit and receive applications; and
 
 B.  Initiate or facilitate the institution of a proceeding regarding an application in a tribunal of this State.
 
2.  Proceedings available to obligee.      The following support proceedings are available to an obligee under the Convention:
 
 A.  Recognition or recognition and enforcement of a foreign support order;
 
 B.  Enforcement of a support order issued or recognized in this State;
 
 C.  Establishment of a support order if there is no existing order, including, if necessary, determination of parentage of a child;
 
 D.  Establishment of a support order if recognition of a foreign support order is refused under section 3318;
 
 E.  Modification of a support order of a tribunal of this State; and
 
 F.  Modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.
 
3.  Proceedings available to obligor.      The following support proceedings are available under the Convention to an obligor against whom there is an existing support order:
 
 A.  Recognition of an order suspending or limiting enforcement of an existing support order of a tribunal of this State;
 
 B.  Modification of a support order of a tribunal of this State; and
 
 C.  Modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.
 
4.  Tribunal may not require guarantee of payment of costs and expenses.      A tribunal of this State may not require security, bond or deposit, however described, to guarantee the payment of costs and expenses in proceedings under the Convention.
§ 3315.   Direct request
 
1.  Establishment or modification of support or determination of parentage.      A petitioner may file a direct request seeking the establishment or modification of a support order or determination of parentage of a child. In the proceeding, the law of this State applies.
 
2.  Recognition and enforcement of support order or agreement.      A petitioner may file a direct request seeking recognition and enforcement of a support order or support agreement. In the proceeding, the provisions of sections 3316 to 3323 apply.
 
3.  Guarantee of payment of costs may not be required; free legal assistance.      In a direct request seeking recognition and enforcement of a Convention support order or foreign support agreement:
 
 A.  A security, bond or deposit is not required to guarantee the payment of costs and expenses; and
 
 B.  An obligee or obligor who in the issuing country has benefited from free legal assistance is entitled to benefit, at least to the same extent, from any free legal assistance provided for by the laws of this State under the same circumstances.
 
4.  No assistance from the department.      A petitioner filing a direct request is not entitled to receive assistance from the department.
 
5.  Application of laws of this State.      This subchapter does not prevent the application of laws of this State that provide simplified, more expeditious rules regarding a direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support order or foreign support agreement.
§ 3316.   Registration of Convention support order
 
1.  General requirement.      Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, a party who is an individual or a support enforcement agency seeking recognition of a Convention support order shall register the order in this State as provided in subchapter 6.
 
2.  Additional requirements.      Notwithstanding section 3011 and section 3151, subsection 1, a request for registration of a Convention support order must be accompanied by:
 
 A.  A complete text of the support order, or an abstract or extract of the support order drawn up by the issuing foreign tribunal, which may be in the form recommended by the Hague Conference on Private International Law;
 
 B.  A record stating that the support order is enforceable in the issuing country;
 
 C.  If the respondent did not appear and was not represented in the proceedings in the issuing country, a record attesting, as appropriate, either that the respondent had proper notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard, or that the respondent had proper notice of the support order and an opportunity to challenge or appeal it on fact or law before a tribunal;
 
 D.  A record showing the amount of arrears, if any, and the date the amount was calculated;
 
 E.  A record showing a requirement for automatic adjustment of the amount of support, if any, and the information necessary to make the appropriate calculations; and
 
 F.  If necessary, a record showing the extent to which the applicant received free legal assistance in the issuing country.
 
3.  Recognition and partial enforcement.      A request for registration of a Convention support order may seek recognition and partial enforcement of the order.
 
4.  Refusal to register.      A tribunal of this State may vacate the registration of a Convention support order, without the filing of a contest under section 3317, only if, acting on its own motion, the tribunal finds that recognition and enforcement of the order would be manifestly incompatible with public policy.
 
5.  Notice.      A tribunal of this State shall promptly notify the parties to a foreign support order of the registration or the order vacating the registration of a Convention support order.
§ 3317.   Contest of registered Convention support order
 
1.  General requirements.      Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, sections 3201 to 3204 apply to a contest of a registered Convention support order.
 
2.  Additional requirements.      A party contesting a registered Convention support order shall file a contest not later than 30 days after notice of the registration, except that if the contesting party does not reside in the United States, the contest must be filed not later than 60 days after notice of the registration.
 
3.  Enforceable by operation of law.      If the nonregistering party fails to contest the registered Convention support order by the time specified in subsection 2, the order is enforceable.
 
4.  Basis.      A contest of a registered convention support order may be based only on grounds set forth in section 3318. The contesting party bears the burden of proof.
 
5.  Limitations.      In a contest of a registered Convention support order, a tribunal of this State:
 
 A.  Is bound by the findings of fact on which the foreign tribunal based its jurisdiction; and
 
 B.  May not review the merits of the support order.
 
6.  Notice of decision.      A tribunal of this State deciding a contest of a registered Convention support order shall promptly notify the parties of its decision.
 
7.  No stay on appeal.      A challenge or appeal, if any, does not stay the enforcement of a Convention support order unless there are exceptional circumstances.
§ 3318.   Recognition and enforcement of registered Convention support order
 
1.  Recognition and enforcement.      Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a tribunal of this State shall recognize and enforce a registered Convention support order.
 
2.  Exceptions.      The following grounds are the only grounds on which a tribunal of this State may refuse recognition and enforcement of a registered Convention support order.
 
 A.  Recognition and enforcement of the order is manifestly incompatible with public policy, including the failure of the issuing tribunal to observe minimum standards of due process, which include notice and an opportunity to be heard;
 
 B.  The issuing tribunal lacked personal jurisdiction consistent with section 2961;
 
 C.  The order is not enforceable in the issuing country;
 
 D.  The order was obtained by fraud in connection with a matter of procedure;
 
 E.  A record transmitted in accordance with section 3316 lacks authenticity or integrity;
 
 F.  A proceeding between the same parties and having the same purpose is pending before a tribunal of this State and that proceeding was the first to be filed;
 
 G.  The order is incompatible with a more recent support order involving the same parties and having the same purpose if the more recent support order is entitled to recognition and enforcement under this chapter in this State;
 
 H.  The payment of arrears, to the extent alleged arrears have been paid in whole or in part;
 
 I.  In a case in which the respondent neither appeared nor was represented in the proceeding in the issuing foreign country:
 
(1) If the law of that country provides for prior notice of proceedings, the respondent did not have proper notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard; or
 
(2) If the law of that country does not provide for prior notice of the proceedings, the respondent did not have proper notice of the order and an opportunity to be heard in a challenge or appeal on fact or law before a tribunal; or
 
 J.  The order was made in violation of section 3321.
 
3.  Convention support orders not recognized.      If a tribunal of this State does not recognize a Convention support order under subsection 2, paragraph B, D, F or I:
 
 A.  The tribunal may not dismiss the proceeding without allowing a reasonable time for a party to request the establishment of a new Convention support order; and
 
 B.  The department shall take all appropriate measures to request a child support order for the obligee if the application for recognition and enforcement was received under section 3314.
§ 3319.   Partial enforcement
If a tribunal of this State does not recognize and enforce a Convention support order in its entirety, it shall enforce any severable part of the order. An application or direct request may seek recognition and partial enforcement of a Convention support order.
§ 3320.   Foreign support agreement
 
1.  Recognition.      Except as provided in subsections 3 and 4, a tribunal of this State shall recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement registered in this State.
 
2.  Requirements.      An application or direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be accompanied by:
 
 A.  A complete text of the foreign support agreement; and
 
 B.  A record stating that the foreign support agreement is enforceable as a decision in the issuing foreign country.
 
3.  Vacate registration.      A tribunal of this State may vacate the registration of a foreign support agreement only if, acting on its motion, the tribunal finds that recognition and enforcement would be manifestly incompatible with public policy.
 
4.  Refusal of recognition and enforcement.      In a contest of a foreign support agreement, a tribunal of this State may refuse recognition and enforcement of the agreement if it finds:
 
 A.  Recognition and enforcement of the agreement is manifestly incompatible with public policy;
 
 B.  The agreement was obtained by fraud or falsification;
 
 C.  The agreement is incompatible with a support order involving the same parties and having the same purpose in this State, another state or a foreign country if the support order is entitled to recognition and enforcement under this chapter in this State; or
 
 D.  The record submitted under subsection 2, paragraph B lacks authenticity or integrity.
 
5.  Suspension of proceeding.      A proceeding for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be suspended during the pendency of a challenge to or appeal of the agreement before a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.
§ 3321.   Modification of child support order subject to Convention
 
1.  Obligee resident of the foreign country.      A tribunal of this State may not modify a Convention child support order if the obligee remains a resident of the foreign country where the support order was issued unless:
 
 A.  The obligee submits to the jurisdiction of a tribunal of this State, either expressly or by defending on the merits of the case without objecting to the jurisdiction at the first available opportunity; or
 
 B.  The foreign tribunal lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to modify its support order or issue a new support order.
 
2.  Application of section 3318.      If a tribunal of this State cannot modify the foreign child support order because the order is unable to be recognized in this State, the provisions of section 3318, subsection 3 apply.
§ 3322.   Personal information; limit on use
Personal information gathered or transmitted under this subchapter may be used only for the purposes for which it was gathered or transmitted.
§ 3323.   Record in original language; English translation
A record filed with a tribunal of this State under this subchapter must be in the original language and, if not in English, must be accompanied by an English translation.
Sec. 84.  Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause. In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 19-A, chapter 67, subchapter 4, in the subchapter headnote, the words “establishment of support order” are amended to read “establishment of support order or determination of parentage” and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes.
Sec. 85.  Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause. In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 19-A, chapter 67, subchapter 5, in the subchapter headnote, the words “enforcement of order of another state without registration” are amended to read “enforcement of support order without registration” and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes.
Sec. 86.  Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause. In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 19-A, chapter 67, subchapter 6, article 3, in the article headnote, the words “registration and modification of child support order” are amended to read “registration and modification of child support order of another state” and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes.
Sec. 87.  Contingent effective date. This Act takes effect upon the ratification by the United States of the Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance, concluded at The Hague on November 23, 2007. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services shall notify the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters and the Revisor of Statutes when the United States has ratified the Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance.
 
See title page for effective date, unless otherwise indicated.