MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A; Appropriations

By: Representative Blackmon

AN ACT TO CREATE THE UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (UIFSA); TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS; TO IDENTIFY TRIBUNALS OF THIS STATE; BASES FOR JURISDICTION OVER NONRESIDENTS; TO PROVIDE FOR PROCEDURE WHEN EXERCISING JURISDICTION OVER NONRESIDENTS; TO PROVIDE FOR PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING TWO OR MORE STATES; TO PROVIDE FOR CONTINUING JURISDICTION; TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT AND MODIFICATION OF SUPPORT ORDERS; TO PROVIDE FOR RECOGNITION AND RECONCILIATION OF ORDERS OF OTHER STATES; TO PROVIDE FOR MULTIPLE CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS; TO PROVIDE FOR PROCEEDINGS UNDER THIS ACT AND THE APPLICATION OF LAW; TO SPECIFY THE DUTIES OF TRIBUNALS AND SUPPORT AGENCIES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DUTIES OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE; TO PROVIDE FOR NONDISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IN CERTAIN CASES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF COURT COSTS AND ATTORNEY'S FEE; TO PROVIDE FOR LIMITED IMMUNITY OF THE PETITIONER; TO SPECIFY SPECIAL RULES OF EVIDENCE AND PROCEDURE; TO ALLOW COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TRIBUNALS; TO ALLOW ASSISTANCE WITH DISCOVERY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE RECEIPT AND DISBURSEMENT OF PAYMENTS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUPPORT ORDERS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DIRECT ENFORCEMENT AND RECOGNITION OF ORDERS OF ANOTHER STATE WITHOUT REGISTRATION AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE ENFORCEMENT OF ORDERS; TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT AND MODIFICATION OF ORDERS; TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT AND MODIFICATION OF SUPPORT ORDERS AFTER REGISTRATION; TO PROVIDE FOR CHOICE OF LAW; TO PROVIDE FOR CONTESTING THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEMENT OF ORDER; TO PROVIDE FOR NOTICE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION AND MODIFICATION OF CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PARENTAGE; TO PROVIDE FOR INTERSTATE RENDITION AND THE CONDITIONS THEREFORE; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 93-11-1 THROUGH 93-11-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE UNIFORM RECIPROCAL ENFORCEMENT OF SUPPORT LAW OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Child" means an individual, whether over or under the age of majority, who is or is alleged to be owed a duty of support by the individual's parent or who is or is alleged to be the beneficiary of a support order directed to the parent.

(b) "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.

(c) "Duty of support" means an obligation imposed or imposable by law to provide support for a child, spouse or former spouse, including an unsatisfied obligation to provide support.

(d) "Home state" means the state in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as parent for at least six (6) consecutive months immediately preceding the time of filing of a petition or comparable pleading for support and, if a child is less than six (6) months old, the state in which the child lived from birth and any of them. A period of temporary absence of any of them is counted as part of the six-month or other period.

(e) "Income" includes earnings or any periodic payment due to an individual regardless of source including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, workers' compensation, disability, payments pursuant to a pension or retirement program.

(f) "Income-withholding order" means an order or other legal process directed to an obligor's employer or other debtor, as defined by Sections 93-11-101 through 93-11-119, to withhold support from the income of the obligor.

(g) "Initiating state" means a state from which a proceeding is forwarded or in which a proceeding is filed for forwarding to a responding state under this act or a law or procedure substantially similar to this act, or under a law or procedure substantially similar to the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, or the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act.

(h) "Initiating tribunal" means the authorized tribunal in an initiating state.

(i) "Issuing state" means the state in which a tribunal issues a support order or renders a judgment determining parentage.

(j) "Issuing tribunal" means the tribunal that issues a support order or renders a judgment determining parentage.

(k) "Law" includes decisional statutory law and rules and regulations having the force of law.

(l) "Obligee" means:

(i) 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 has been rendered;

(ii) A state or political subdivision to which the rights under a duty of support or support order have been assigned, or which has independent claims based on financial assistance provided to an individual obligee; or

(iii) An individual seeking a judgment determining parentage of the individual's child.

(m) "Obligor" means an individual or the estate of a decedent:

(i) Who owes or is alleged to owe a duty of support;

(ii) Who is alleged but has not been adjudicated to be a parent of a child; or

(iii) Who is liable under a support order.

(n) "Register" means to record a support order or judgment determining parentage in a court of this state having jurisdiction.

(o) "Registering tribunal" means a tribunal in which a support order is registered.

(p) "Responding state" means a state in which a proceeding filed to or which a proceeding is forwarded for filing from an initiating state under this act or a law substantially similar to this (Act), or under a law or procedure substantially similar to the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, or the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act.

(q) "Responding tribunal" means the authorized tribunal in a responding state.

(r) "Spousal support order" means a support order for a spouse or former spouse of the obligor.

(s) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The term "state" includes:

(i) An Indian tribe; and

(ii) Jurisdiction that has enacted a law or established procedures for issuance and enforcement of support orders which are substantially similar to the procedure under this act or the procedures under the uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act or the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act.

(t) "Support enforcement agency" means a public official or agency authorized to seek:

(i) Enforcement of support orders or laws relating to the duty of support;

(ii) Establishment or modification of child support;

(iii) Determination of parentage; or

(iv) To locate obligor or their assets.

(u) "Support order" means a judgment, decree or order, whether temporary, final or subject to modification, for the benefit of a child, a spouse or a former spouse, which provides for monetary support, health care, arrearage or reimbursement and may include related costs and fees, interest, income withholding, attorney's fees and other relief.

(v) "Tribunal" means a court, administrative agency or quasi-judicial entity authorized to establish, enforce or modify support orders or to determine percentage.

SECTION 2. The chancery courts, county courts, family courts, tribal courts and the Department of Human Services are the tribunals of this state.

SECTION 3. Remedies provided by this act are cumulative and do not affect the availability of remedies under other law.

SECTION 4. In a proceeding to establish, enforce or modify a support order or to determine parentage, a tribunal of this state may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident individual or the individual's guardian or conservator if:

(a) The individual submits to the jurisdiction of this state by consent, by entering a general appearance or by filing a responsive document having the effect of waiving any contest to personal jurisdiction;

(b) The individual resident with the child in this state;

(c) The individual resided in this state and provided parental expenses or support for the child;

(d) The child support resided in this state and provided parental expense or support for the child;

(e) The individual engaged in sexual intercourse in this state and the child may have been conceived by that act of intercourse;

(f) The individual asserted parentage as provided by law; or

(g) There is any other basis consistent with the Constitutions of this state and the United States for the exercise of personal jurisdiction.

SECTION 5. A tribunal of this state exercising personal jurisdiction over a nonresident under Section 4 of this act may apply Section 28 of this act (special rules of evidence and procedure) to receive evidence from another state, and Section 30 of this act (assistance with discovery) to obtain discovery through a tribunal of another state. In all other respects Sections 13 through 47 do not apply and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this state, including the rules on choice of law other than those established by this act.

SECTION 6. Under this act, a tribunal of this state my serve as an initiating tribunal to forward proceedings to another state and as a responding tribunal for proceedings initiated in another state.

SECTION 7. (1) A tribunal of this state may exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed after a petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state only if:

(a) The petition or comparable pleading in this state is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the other state for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by the other state;

(b) The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in the other state; and

(c) If relevant, this state is the home state of the child.

(2) A tribunal of this state may not exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state if:

(a) The petition or comparable pleading in the other state is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in this state for filling 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) If relevant, the other state is the home state of the child.

SECTION 8. (1) A tribunal of this state issuing a support order consistent with the law of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a child support order:

(a) As long as this state remains the residence of the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit the support order is issued; or

(b) Until each individual party has filed written consent with the tribunal of this state for a tribunal of another state to modify the order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

(2) A tribunal of this state issuing a child support order consistent with the law of this state may not exercise its continuing jurisdiction to modify the order if the order has been modified by a tribunal of another state pursuant to this act or a law substantially similar to this act.

(3) If a child support order of this state is modified by a tribunal of another state pursuant to this act or a law substantially similar to this act, a tribunal of this state loses its continuing, exclusive jurisdiction with regard to prospective enforcement of the order issued in this state, and may only:

(a) Enforce the order that was modified as to amounts accruing before the modification;

(b) Enforce nonmodifiable aspects of that order; and

(c) Provide other appropriate relief for violations of that order which occurred before the effective date of the modification.

(4) A tribunal of this state shall recognize the continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of a tribunal of another state which has issued a child support order pursuant to this act or a law substantially similar to this act.

(5) A temporary support order issued ex parte or pending resolution of a jurisdictional conflict does not create continuing, exclusive jurisdiction in the issuing tribunal.

(6) A tribunal of this state issuing a support order consistent with the law of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order throughout the existence of the support obligation. A tribunal of this state may not modify a spousal support order issued by a tribunal of another state having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over that order under the law of that state.

SECTION 9. (1) A tribunal of this state may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce or modify a support order issued in that state.

(2) A tribunal of this state having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a support order may act as a responding tribunal to enforce or modify the order. If a party subject to the continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of the tribunal no longer resides in the issuing state, in subsequent proceedings the tribunal may apply Section 28 of this act (special rules of evidence and procedure) to receive evidence from another state and Section 30 of this act (assistance with discovery) to obtain discovery through a tribunal of another state.

(3) A tribunal of this state which lacks continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order may not serve as a responding tribunal to modify a spousal support order of another state.

SECTION 10. (1) If a proceeding is brought under this act and only one tribunal has issued a child support order, the order of that tribunal is controlling and must be recognized.

(2) If a proceeding is brought under this act, and two or more child support orders have been issued by tribunal of this state or another state with regard to the same obligor and a child. A tribunal of this state shall apply the following rules in determining which order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction:

(a) If only one (1) of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this act, the order of that tribunal is controlling and must be recognized.

(b) If more than one of the tribunal would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this act, an order issued by a tribunal in the current home state of the child must be recognized, but if an order has not been issued in the current home state of the child, the order most recently issued is controlling and must be recognized.

(c) If none of the tribunal would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this act, the tribunal of this state having jurisdiction over the parties must issue a child support order, which is controlling and must be recognized.

(3) If two or more child support orders have been issued for the same obligor and child and if the obligor or the individual obligee resides in this state, a party may request a tribunal of this state to determine which order controls and must be recognized under subsection (b). The request must be accompanied by a certified copy of every support order in effect. Every party whose rights may be affected by a determination of the controlling order must be given notice of the request for that determination.

(4) The tribunal that has issued the order must be recognized as controlling under subsection (a), (b) or (c) and is the tribunal that has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction, in accordance with Section 8.

(5) A tribunal of this state which determines by order the identify of the controlling child support order under subsection (2)(a) or (2)(b), or which issues a new controlling child support order under subsection (2)(c) shall include in that order the basis upon which the tribunal made its determination.

(6) Within thirty (30) days after issuance of the order determining the identity of the controlling order, the party obtaining that order shall file a certified copy of it with each tribunal that had issued or registered an earlier order of child support. Failure of the party obtaining the order to file a certified copy as required subjects that party to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in which the issue of failure to file arise, but failure to file has no effect on the validity or enforceability of the controlling order.

SECTION 11. In responding to multiple registrations or petitions for enforcement of two (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 (1) of which issued by a tribunal of another state, a tribunal of this state shall enforce those orders in the same manner as if the multiple orders had been issued by a tribunal of this state.

SECTION 12. Amounts collected and credited for a particular period pursuant to a support order issued by a tribunal of another state must be credited against the amounts accruing or accrued for the same period under a support order issued by the tribunal of this state.

SECTION 13. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this act, Sections 13 through 31 of this act apply to all proceedings under this act.

(2) This act provides for the following proceedings:

(a) Establishment of an order for spousal support or child support pursuant to Section 32 of this act;

(b) Enforcement of a support order and income withholding order of another state without registration pursuant to Section 34;

(c) Registration of an order for spousal support or child support of another state for enforcement pursuant to Sections 35 through 38 of this act;

(d) Modification of an order for child support or spousal support issued by a tribunal of this state pursuant to Section 6 of this act;

(e) Registration of an order for child support of another state for modification pursuant to Sections 40 through 52 of this act;

(f) Determination of parentage pursuant to Section 51 of this act; and

(g) Assertion of jurisdiction over nonresidents pursuant to Sections 4 and 5 of this act.

(3) An individual or a support enforcement agency may commence a proceeding authorized under this act 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 which has or can obtain personal jurisdiction over the respondent.

SECTION 14. A minor parent, or a guardian or other legal representative of a minor parent, may maintain a proceeding on behalf of or for the benefit of the minor's child.

SECTION 15. Except as otherwise provided by this act, a responding tribunal of this state:

(a) Shall apply the procedural and substantive law, including the rules on choice of law, generally applicable to similar proceedings originating in this state and may exercise all powers and provide all remedies available in those proceedings; and

(b) Shall determine the duty of support and the amount payable in accordance with the law and support guidelines of this state.

SECTION 16. (1) Upon the filing of a petition authorized by this act, an initiating tribunal of this state shall forward three (3) copies of the petition and its accompanying documents:

(a) To the responding tribunal or appropriate support enforcement agency in the responding state; or

(b) If the identity of the responding tribunal is unknown, to the state information agency of the responding state with a request that they be forwarded to the appropriate tribunal and that receipt be acknowledged.

(2) If a responding state has not enacted this act or a law or procedure substantially similar to this act, a tribunal of this state may issue a certificate or other document and make findings required by the law of the responding state. If the responding state is a foreign jurisdiction, the tribunal may specify the amount of support sought and provide other documents necessary to satisfy the requirements of the responding state.

SECTION 17. (1) When a responding tribunal of this state receives a petition or comparable pleading from an initiating tribunal or directly pursuant to Section 13 of this act (proceedings under this act), it shall cause the petition or pleading to be filed and shall notify the petitioner where and when it was filed.

(2) A responding tribunal of this state, to the extent otherwise authorized by law, may do one or more of the following:

(a) Issue or enforce a support order, modify a child support order or render a judgment to determine parentage;

(b) Order an obligor to comply with a support order, specifying the amount and the manner of compliance;

(c) Order income withholding;

(d) Determine the amount of any arrearage and specify a method of payment;

(e) Enforce orders by civil or criminal contempt, or both;

(f) Set aside property for satisfaction of the support order;

(g) Place liens and order execution on the obligor's property;

(h) Order an obligor to keep the tribunal informed of the obligor's current residential address, telephone number, employer, address of employment and telephone number at the place of employment;

(i) Issue a bench warrant, capias, for an obligor who has failed after proper notice to appear at a hearing ordered by the tribunal and enter the bench warrant, capias, in any local and state computer systems for criminal warrants;

(j) Order the obligor to seek appropriate employment by specified methods;

(k) Award reasonable attorney's fees and other fees and costs; and

(l) Grant any other available remedy.

(3) A responding tribunal of this state shall include in a support order issued under this act, or in the documents accompanying the order, the calculations on which the support order is based.

(4) A responding tribunal of this state may not condition the payment of a support order issued under this act upon compliance by a party with provisions for visitation.

(5) If a responding tribunal of this state issues an order under this act, the tribunal shall send a copy of the order to the petitioner and the respondent and to the initiating tribunal, if any.

SECTION 18. If a petition or comparable pleading is received by an inappropriate tribunal of this state, it shall forward the pleading and accompanying documents to an appropriate tribunal in this state or another state and notify the petitioner where and when the pleading was sent.

SECTION 19. (1) A support enforcement agency of this state, upon request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under this act.

(2) A support enforcement agency that is providing services to the petition as appropriate shall:

(a) Take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate tribunal in this state or another state to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent;

(b) Request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time, and place for a hearing;

(c) Make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant information, including information as to income and property of the parties;

(d) Within two (2) days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after receipt of a written notice from initiating, responding or registering tribunal, send a copy of the notice to the petitioner;

(e) Within two (2) days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after receipt of a written communication from the respondent or the respondent's attorney, send a copy of the communication to the petitioner; and

(f) Notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the respondent cannot be obtained.

(3) This act does not create or negate a relationship of attorney and client or other fiduciary relationship between a support enforcement agency or the attorney for the agency and the individual being assisted by the agency.

SECTION 20. If the Attorney General determines that the support enforcement agency is neglecting or refusing to provide services to an individual, the Attorney General may order the agency to perform its duties under this act or may provide those services directly to the individual.

SECTION 21. An individual may employ private counsel to represent the individual in proceedings authorized by this act.

SECTION 22. (1) The Department of Human Services is the state information agency under this act.

(2) The state information agency shall:

(a) Compile and maintain a current list, including addresses, of the tribunals in this state which have jurisdiction under this act and any support enforcement agencies in this state and transmit a copy to the state information agency of every other state;

(b) Maintain a register of tribunals and support enforcement agencies received from other states;

(c) Forward to the appropriate tribunal in the place in this state in which the individual obligee or the obligor resides, or in which the obligor's property is believed to be located, all documents concerning a proceeding under this act received from an initiating tribunal or state information agency of the initiating state; 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.

SECTION 23. (1) A petitioner seeking to establish or modify a support order or to determine parentage in a proceeding under this act must verify the petition. Unless otherwise ordered under Section 24 of this act (nondisclosure of information in exceptional circumstances), the petition or accompanying documents must provide, so far as known, the name, residential address, and social security numbers of the obligor and the obligee, and the name, sex, residential address, social security number, and date of birth of each child for whom support is sought. The petition must be accompanied by a certified copy of any support order in effect. The petition may include any other information that may assist in locating or identifying the respondent.

(2) The petition must specify the relief sought. The petition and accompanying documents must conform substantially with the requirements imposed by the forms mandated by Federal law for use in cases filed by a support enforcement agency.

SECTION 24. Upon a finding, which may be made ex parte, that the health, safety or liberty or a party or child would be unreasonably put at risk by the disclosure of identifying information, or if an existing order so provides, a tribunal shall order that the address of the child or party or other identifying information not be disclosed in a pleading or other document filed in a proceeding under this act.

SECTION 25. (1) The petitioner may not be required to pay a filing fee or other costs.

(2) If an obligee prevails, a responding tribunal may assess against an obligor filing fees, reasonable attorney's fees, other cost 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, 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.

(3) The tribunal shall order the payment of costs and reasonable attorney's fees if it determines that a hearing was requested primarily for delay. In a proceeding under Section 49 (enforcement and modification of support order after registration), a hearing is presumed to have been requested primarily for delay if a registered support order is confirmed or enforced without change.

SECTION 26. (1) Participation by a petitioner in a proceeding before a responding tribunal, whether in person, by private attorney or through services provided by the support enforcement agency, does not confer personal jurisdiction over the petitioner in another proceeding.

(2) A petitioner is not amenable to service of civil process while physically present in this state to participate in proceeding under this act.

(3) The immunity granted by this section does not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to a proceeding under this act committed by a party while present in this state to participate in the proceeding.

SECTION 27. A party whose parentage of a child has been previously determined by or pursuant to law may not plead nonparentage as a defense to a proceeding under this act.

SECTION 28. (1) The physical presence of the petitioner in a responding tribunal of this state is not required for the establishment, enforcement or modification of a support order or the rendition of judgment determining parentage.

(2) A verified petition, affidavit, document substantially complying with federally mandated forms, and a document incorporated by reference in any of them, not excluded under the hearsay rule if given in person, is admissible in evidence if given under oath by a party or witness residing in another state.

(3) A copy of the record of child support payments certified as a true copy of the original by the custodian of the record may be forwarded to a responding tribunal. The copy is evidence of facts asserted in it, and is admissible to show whether payments were made.

(4) Copies of bills for testing for parentage, and for prenatal and postnatal health care of the mother and child, furnished to the adverse party at least ten (10) days before trial, are admissible in evidence to prove the amount of the charges billed and the charges were reasonable, necessary and customary.

(5) Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a tribunal of this state by telephone, telecopier or other means that do not provide an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.

(6) In a proceeding under this act, as tribunal of this state may permit a party or witness residing in another 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 tribunals of other states in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.

(7) If a party called to testify at a civil hearing refused to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self-incriminating, the trier of fact may draw an adverse inference from the refusal.

(8) A privilege against disclosure of communications between spouses does not apply in a proceeding under this act.

(9) The defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife or parent and child does not apply in a proceeding under this act.

SECTION 29. A tribunal of this state may communicate with a tribunal of another state in writing, or by telephone or other means, to obtain information concerning the laws of the state, the legal effect of a judgment, decree or order of that tribunal, and the status of a proceeding in the other state. A tribunal of this state may furnish similar information by similar means to a tribunal of another state.

SECTION 30. A tribunal of this state may:

(a) Request a tribunal of another state to assist in obtaining discovery; and

(b) Upon request, compel a person over whom it has jurisdiction to respond to a discovery order issued by a tribunal of another state.

SECTION 31. A support enforcement agency or tribunal of this state shall disburse promptly any amounts received pursuant to a support order, as directed by the order. The agency or tribunal shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of another state a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amounts and date of all payments received.

SECTION 32. (1) If a support order entitled to recognition under this act has not been issued, a responding tribunal of this state may issue a support order if:

(a) The individual seeking the order resides in another state; or

(b) The support enforcement agency seeking the order is located in another state.

(2) The tribunal may issue a temporary child support order if:

(a) The respondent has signed a verified statement acknowledging parentage;

(b) The respondent has been determined by or pursuant to law to be the parent; or

(c) There is other clear and convincing evidence that the respondent is the child's parent.

(3) Upon finding, after notice and opportunity to be heard, that an obligor owes a duty of support, the tribunal shall issue a support order directed to the obligor and may issue other orders pursuant to Section 17 of this act (duties and powers of responding tribunal).

SECTION 33. An income-withholding order issued in another state may be sent to the person or entity defined as the obligor's employer under Sections 93-11-101 through 93-11-119 without first filing a petition or comparable pleading or registering the order with a tribunal of this state.

SECTION 34. (1) Upon receipt of the order, the obligor's employer shall immediately provide a copy of the order to the obligor.

(2) The employer shall treat an income-withholding order issued in another state which appears regular on its face as if it had been issued by a tribunal of this state.

(3) Except as provided by subsection (d) and Section 35, the employer shall withhold and distribute the funds as directed in the withholding order by complying with the terms of the order, as applicable, that specify:

(a) The duration and the amount of periodic payments of current child support, stated as a sum certain;

(b) The person or agency designated to receive payments and the address to which the payments are to be forwarded;

(c) Medical support, whether in the form of periodic cash payment, stated as sum certain, or ordering the obligor to provide health insurance coverage for the child under a policy available through the obligor's employment;

(d) The amount of periodic payments of fees and costs for a support enforcement agency, the issuing tribunal, and the obligee's attorney, stated as sums certain; and

(e) The amount of periodic payments of arrears and interest on arrears, stated as sums certain.

(4) The employer shall comply with the law of the state of the obligor's principal place of employment for withholding from income with respect to:

(a) The employer's fees for processing an income withholding order;

(b) The maximum amount permitted to be withheld from the obligor's income;

(c) The time periods within which the employer must implement the withholding order and forward the child support payment.

SECTION 35. If the obligor's employer receives multiple orders to withhold support from the earnings of the same obligor, the employer shall be deemed to have satisfied the terms of the multiple orders if the law of the state of the obligor's principal place of employment to establish the priorities for withholding and allocating income withheld for multiple child support obligees is complied with.

SECTION 36. An employer who complies with an income-withholding order issued in another state in accordance with this article is not subject to civil liability to any individual or agency with regard to the employer's withholding child support from the obligor's income.

SECTION 37. An employer who willfully fails to comply with an income-withholding order issued by 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.

SECTION 38. (1) An obligor may contest the validity or enforcement of an income-withholding order issued in another state and received directly by an employer in this state in the same manner as if the order had been issued by a tribunal of this state. Section 43 applies to the contest.

(2) The obligor shall give notice of the contest to:

(a) A support enforcement agency providing services to the obligee;

(b) Each employer which has directly received an income-withholding order;

(c) The person or agency designated to receive payments in the income-withholding order; or

(d) If no person or agency is designated to the obligee.

SECTION 39. (1) A party seeking to enforce a support order or an income-withholding order, or both, issued by a tribunal of another state may send the documents required for registering the order to a support enforcement agency of this state.

(2) Upon receipt of the documents, the support enforcement agency, 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 act.

SECTION 40. A support order or an income-withholding order issued by a tribunal of another state may be registered in this state for enforcement.

SECTION 41. (1) A support order or income-withholding order of another state may be registered in this state by sending the following documents and information to the appropriate tribunal in this state:

(a) A letter of transmittal to the tribunal requesting registration and enforcement;

(b) Two (2) copies, including one (1) certified copy of all orders to be registered, including any modification of an order;

(c) A sworn statement by the party seeking registration or a certified statement by the custodian of the records showing the amount of any arrearage;

(d) The name of the obligor and if known:

(i) The obligor's address and social security number;

(ii) The name and address of the obligor's employer and any other source of income of the obligor; and

(iii) A description and the location of property of the obligor in this state not exempt from execution; and

(e) The name and address of the obligee and, if applicable, the agency or person to whom support payments are to be remitted.

(2) On receipt of a request for registration, the registering tribunal shall cause the order to be filed as a foreign judgment, together with one (1) copy of the documents and information, regardless of their form.

(3) A petition or comparable pleading seeking a remedy that must be affirmatively sought under other law of this state may be filed at the same time as the request for registration or later. The pleading must specify the grounds for the remedy sought.

SECTION 42. (1) A support order or income-withholding order issued in another state is registered when the order is filed in the registering tribunal of this state.

(2) A registered order issued in another state is enforceable in the same manner and is subject to the same procedure as an order issued by a tribunal of this state.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this act, a tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, a registered order if the issuing tribunal had jurisdiction.

SECTION 43. (1) The law of the issuing state governs the nature, extent, amount and duration of current payments and other obligations of support and the payment of arrearages under the order.

(2) In a proceeding for arrearages, the statute of limitation under the laws of this state or of the issuing state, whichever is longer, applies.

SECTION 44. (1) When a support order or income-withholding order issued in another state is issued, the registering tribunal shall notify the nonregistering party. The notice must be accompanied by a copy of the registered order and the document and relevant information accompanying the order.

(2) The notice must inform the nonregistering party:

(a) That a registered order is enforceable as of the date of registration in the same manner as an order issued by a tribunal of this state;

(b) That a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order must be requested within twenty (20) days after the date of mailing or personal service of the notice;

(c) That failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order in a timely manner will result in confirmation of the order and enforcement of the order and the alleged arrearage and precludes further contest of that order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted; and

(d) Of the amount of any alleged arrearage.

(3) Upon registering of an income-withholding order for enforcement, the registering tribunal shall notify the obligor's employer pursuant to Sections 93-11-101 through 93-11-119.

SECTION 45. (1) A nonregistering party seeking to contest the validity or enforcement of a registered order in this state shall request a hearing within twenty (20) days after the date of mailing or personal service of notice of the registration. 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 arrearage pursuant to Section 46 of this act.

(2) If the nonregistering party fails to contest the validity or enforcement of the registering order in a timely manner, the order is confirmed by operation of law.

(3) If a nonregistering party requests a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order, the registering tribunal shall schedule the matter for hearing and give notice to the parties of the date, time and place of the hearing.

SECTION 46. (1) A party contesting the validity or enforcement of a registered 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 law of this state to the remedy sought;

(f) Full or partial payment has been made; or

(g) The statute of limitation under Section 43 of this act precludes enforcement of some or all of the arrearage.

(2) If a party presents evidence establishing a full or partial defense under subjection (1), a tribunal may stay enforcement of the registered order, continue the proceeding to permit production of additional relevant evidence and issue other appropriate orders. An uncontested portion of the registered order may be enforced by all remedies available under the law of this state.

(3) If the contesting party does not establish a defense under subsection (1) to the validity or enforcement of the order, the registering tribunal shall issue an order confirming the order.

SECTION 48. Confirmation of a registered 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.

SECTION 49. 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 Sections 40 through 42 of this act 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.

SECTION 50. 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 has been issued by a tribunal of this state, but the registered order may be modified only if the requirements of Section 51 of this act (modification of child support order of another state) have been met.

SECTION 51. (1) After a child support order issued in another state has been registered in this state, unless the provisions of Section 52 apply the responding tribunal of this state may modify that order only if, after notice and hearing, it finds that:

(a) The following requirements are met:

(i) The child, the individual obligee and the obligor do not reside in the issuing state;

(ii) A petitioner who is a nonresident of this state seeks modification; and

(iii) The respondent is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this state; or

(b) An individual party or the child is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal and all of the individual parties have filed a written consent in the issuing tribunal providing that a tribunal of this state may modify the support order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over the order. However, if the issuing state is a foreign jurisdiction which has not enacted this act, the written consent of the individual party residing in this state is not required for the tribunal to assume jurisdiction to modify the child support order.

(2) Modification of a registered child support order is subject to the same requirements, procedures and defenses that apply to the modification of an order issued by a tribunal of this state and the order may be enforced and satisfied in the same manner.

(3) 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. If two (2) or more tribunals have issued child support orders for the same obligor and child, the order that is controlling and must be recognized under the provisions of Section 10 establishes the nonmodifiable aspects of the support order.

(4) On issuance of an order modifying a child support order issued in another state, a tribunal of this state becomes the tribunal of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

SECTION 52. A tribunal of this state shall recognize a modification of its earlier child support order by a tribunal of another state which assumed jurisdiction pursuant to this act or a law substantially similar to this act and, upon request, except as otherwise provided in this act, shall:

(a) Enforce the order that was modified only as to amounts accruing before the modification;

(b) Enforce only nonmodifiable aspects of that order;

(c) Provide other appropriate relief only for violations of that order which occurred before the effective date of the modification; and

(d) Recognize the modifying order of the other state, upon registration, for the purpose of enforcement.

SECTION 53. Within thirty (30) days after issuance of a modified child support order, the party obtaining the modification shall file a certified copy of that order with the issuing tribunal which had continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over the earlier order, and in each tribunal in which the party knows that earlier order has been registered. Failure of the party obtaining the order to file a certified copy as required subjects that party to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in which the issue of failure to file arises, but the failure has no effect on the fidelity or enforceability of the modified order of the new tribunal of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

SECTION 54. (1) If all of the individual parties reside in this state and the child does not reside in the issuing state, a tribunal of this state has jurisdiction to enforce and to modify the issuing state's child support order in a proceeding to register that order.

(2) A tribunal of this state exercising jurisdiction as provided in this section shall apply the provisions of Sections 1 through 3 and Sections 4 through 12 to the enforcement or modification proceedings. Sections 13 through 38 and Sections 55 through 57 do not apply and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this state.

SECTION 55. (1) A tribunal of this state may serve as an initiating or responding tribunal in a proceeding brought under this act or a law substantially similar to this act, the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, or the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act to determine that the petitioner is a parent of a particular child or to determine that a respondent is a parent of that child.

(2) In a proceeding to determine parentage, a responding tribunal of this state shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this state and the rules of this state on choice of law.

SECTION 56. (1) For purposes of this act, "Governor" includes an individual performing the functions of Governor or the executive authority of a state covered by this act.

(2) The Governor of this state may:

(a) Demand that the Governor of another state surrender an individual found in the other state who is charged criminally in this state with having failed to provide for the support an obligee; or

(b) On the demand by the Governor of another state, surrender an individual found in this state who is charged criminally in the other state with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee.

(3) A provision for extradition of individuals not inconsistent with this act applies to the demand even if the individual whose surrender is demanded was not in the demanding state when the crime was allegedly committed and has not fled therefore.

SECTION 57. (1) Before making demand that the Governor of another state surrender an individual charged criminally in this state with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee, the Governor of this state may require a prosecutor of this state to demonstrate that at least sixty (60) days previously the obligee had initiated proceedings for support days previously the obligee had initiated proceedings for support pursuant to this act or that the proceeding would be of no avail.

(2) If, under this act or a law substantially similar to this act, the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act or the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Governor of another state makes a demand that the Governor of this state surrender an individual charged criminally in that state who having failed to provide for the support of a child or other individual to whom a duty of support is owed, the Governor may require a prosecutor to investigate the demand and report whether a proceeding for support has been initiated or would be effective. If it appears that a proceeding would be effective but has not been initiated, the Governor may delay honoring the demand for a reasonable time to permit the initiation of a proceeding.

(3) If a proceeding for support has been initiated and the individual whose rendition is demanded prevails, the Governor may decline to honor the demand. If the petitioner prevails and the individual whose rendition is demanded is subject to a support order, the Governor may decline to honor the demand if the individual is complying with the support order.

SECTION 58. This act shall be applied and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this act among states enacting it.

SECTION 59. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are severable.

SECTION 60. Sections 93-11-1, 93-11-3, 93-11-5, 93-11-7, 93-11-9, 93-11-11, 93-11-13, 93-11-15, 93-11-17, 93-11-19, 93-11-21, 93-11-23, 93-11-25, 93-11-27, 93-11-29, 93-11-31, 93-11-33, 93-11-35, 93-11-37, 93-11-39, 93-11-41, 93-11-43, 93-11-45, 93-11-47, 93-11-49, 93-11-51, 93-11-53, 93-11-55, 93-11-57, 93-11-59, 93-11-61, 93-11-63, 93-12-1, 93-12-3, 93-12-5, 93-12-7, 93-12-9, 93-12-11, 93-12-13, 93-12-15 and 93-12-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, which provide for and constitute the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Law of Mississippi, are repealed.

SECTION 61. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.