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S.B. 34


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Senate 2nd Reading Amendments 1-28-2011 rd/ecm
This document includes Senate Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 4:04 PM by rday. --> This document includes Senate 2nd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 11:45 AM by rday. -->              1
    
UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT

             2     
2011 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard

             5     
House Sponsor: David G. Butterfield

             6     

             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill makes conforming amendments required by the Hague Convention on the
             10      International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    provides procedures for recognizing foreign support orders;
             14          .    defines "convention," "foreign country," "foreign support order," and "foreign
             15      tribunal"; and
             16          .    incorporates provisions for the filing, modification, and enforcement of support
             17      orders issued by foreign countries that have comity with the United States.
             18      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             19          None
             20      Other Special Clauses:
             21           S. [ None ] This bill takes effect on July 1, 2013. .S
             22      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             23      AMENDS:
             24          78B-14-102, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             25          78B-14-103, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             26          78B-14-104, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             27          78B-14-201, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3



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             28
         78B-14-203, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             29          78B-14-204, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             30          78B-14-206, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             31          78B-14-207, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             32          78B-14-208, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             33          78B-14-209, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             34          78B-14-210, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             35          78B-14-211, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             36          78B-14-301, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             37          78B-14-304, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             38          78B-14-305, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             39          78B-14-307, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             40          78B-14-308, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             41          78B-14-310, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             42          78B-14-311, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             43          78B-14-313, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             44          78B-14-316, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             45          78B-14-317, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             46          78B-14-318, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             47          78B-14-319, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             48          78B-14-401, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             49          78B-14-504, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             50          78B-14-505, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             51          78B-14-507, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             52          78B-14-601, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             53          78B-14-602, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             54          78B-14-603, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             55          78B-14-604, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             56          78B-14-605, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             57          78B-14-606, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             58          78B-14-607, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3



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             59
         78B-14-608, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             60          78B-14-609, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             61          78B-14-610, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             62          78B-14-611, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             63          78B-14-615, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             64          78B-14-901, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             65      ENACTS:
             66          78B-14-105, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             67          78B-14-616, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             68          78B-14-701.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             69          78B-14-702, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             70          78B-14-703, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             71          78B-14-704, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             72          78B-14-705, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             73          78B-14-706, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             74          78B-14-707, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             75          78B-14-708, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             76          78B-14-709, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             77          78B-14-710, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             78          78B-14-711, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             79          78B-14-712, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             80          78B-14-713, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             81          78B-14-902, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             82      RENUMBERS AND AMENDS:
             83          78B-14-402, (Renumbered from 78B-14-701, as renumbered and amended by Laws of
             84      Utah 2008, Chapter 3)
             85     

             86      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             87          Section 1. Section 78B-14-102 is amended to read:
             88           78B-14-102. Definitions.
             89          [In] As used in this chapter:



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             90
         (1) "Child" means an individual, whether over or under the age of majority, who is or
             91      is alleged to be owed a duty of support by the individual's parent or who is or is alleged to be
             92      the beneficiary of a support order directed to the parent.
             93          (2) "Child support order" means a support order for a child, including a child who has
             94      attained the age of majority under the law of the issuing state or foreign country.
             95          (3) "Convention" means the convention on the International Recovery of Child Support
             96      and Other Forms of Family Maintenance, concluded at The Hague on November 23, 2007.
             97          [(3)] (4) "Duty of support" means an obligation imposed or imposable by law to
             98      provide support for a child, spouse, or former spouse, including an unsatisfied obligation to
             99      provide support.
             100          (5) "Foreign country" means a country, including a political subdivision thereof, other
             101      than the United States, that authorizes the issuance of support orders and:
             102          (a) which has been declared under the law of the United States to be a foreign
             103      reciprocating country;
             104          (b) which has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this state as
             105      provided in Section 78B-14-308 ;
             106          (c) which has enacted a law or established procedures for the issuance and enforcement
             107      of support orders which are substantially similar to the procedures under this chapter; or
             108          (d) in which the convention is in force with respect to the United States.
             109          (6) "Foreign support order" means a support order of a foreign tribunal.
             110          (7) "Foreign tribunal" means a court, administrative agency, or quasi-judicial entity of
             111      a foreign country which is authorized to establish, enforce, or modify support orders or to
             112      determine parentage of a child. The term includes a competent authority under the convention.
             113          [(4)] (8) "Home state" means the state or foreign country in which a child lived with a
             114      parent or a person acting as parent for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding
             115      the time of filing of a petition or comparable pleading for support and, if a child is less than six
             116      months old, the state or foreign country in which the child lived from birth with any of them.
             117      A period of temporary absence of any of them is counted as part of the six-month or other
             118      period.
             119          [(5)] (9) "Income" includes earnings or other periodic entitlements to money from any
             120      source and any other property subject to withholding for support under the law of this state.



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             121
         [(6)] (10) "Income-withholding order" means an order or notice directed to an obligor's
             122      employer or other source of income as defined in Section 62A-11-103 , to withhold support
             123      from the income of the obligor in accordance with Title 62A, Chapter 11, Part 4, Income
             124      Withholding in IV-D Cases, or Part 5, Income Withholding in Non IV-D Cases.
             125          [(7) "Initiating state" means a state from which a proceeding is forwarded or in which a
             126      proceeding is filed for forwarding to a responding state under this chapter or a law or procedure
             127      substantially similar to this chapter.]
             128          [(8)] (11) "Initiating tribunal" means the [authorized] tribunal [in an initiating state.] of
             129      a state or foreign country from which a petition or comparable pleading is forwarded or in
             130      which a petition or comparable pleading is filed for forwarding to another state or foreign
             131      country.
             132          (12) "Issuing foreign country" means the foreign country in which a tribunal issues a
             133      support order or a judgment determining parentage of a child.
             134          [(9)] (13) "Issuing state" means the state in which a tribunal issues a support order or
             135      [renders] a judgment determining parentage of a child.
             136          [(10)] (14) "Issuing tribunal" means the tribunal of a state or foreign country that issues
             137      a support order or [renders] a judgment determining parentage of a child.
             138          [(11)] (15) "Law" includes decisional and statutory law and rules and regulations
             139      having the force of law.
             140          [(12)] (16) "Obligee" means:
             141          (a) an individual to whom a duty of support is or is alleged to be owed or in whose
             142      favor a support order [has been issued] or a judgment determining parentage of a child has
             143      been [rendered] issued;
             144          (b) a foreign country, state, or political subdivision of a state to which the rights under
             145      a duty of support or support order have been assigned or which has independent claims based
             146      on financial assistance provided to an individual obligee in place of child support; [or]
             147          (c) an individual seeking a judgment determining parentage of the individual's child[.];
             148      or
             149          (d) a person who is a creditor in a proceeding under Part 7, Support Proceedings under
             150      Convention.
             151          [(13)] (17) "Obligor" means an individual who, or the estate of a decedent [who] that:



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Senate 2nd Reading Amendments 1-26-2011 rd/ecm
             152
         (a) owes or is alleged to owe a duty of support;
             153          (b) is alleged but has not been adjudicated to be a parent of a child; [or]
             154          (c) is liable under a support order[.]; or
             155          (d) is a debtor in a proceeding under Part 7, Support Proceedings under Convention.
             156          (18) "Outside this state" means a location in another state or a country other than the
             157      United States, whether or not the country is a foreign country.
             158          [(14)] (19) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust,
             159      partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, government, governmental
             160      subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, public corporation, or any other legal or commercial
             161      entity.
             162          [(15)] (20) "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that
             163      is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
             164          [(16)] (21) "Register" means to file in a tribunal of this state a support order or
             165      judgment determining parentage [in the district court] of a child issued in another state or a
             166      foreign country.
             167          [(17)] (22) "Registering tribunal" means a tribunal in which a support order of
             168      judgment determining parentage of a child is registered.
             169          [(18)] (23) "Responding state" means a state in which a [proceeding] petition S. [ of ] or .S
             170      comparable pleading for support or to determine parentage of a child is filed or to which a
             171      [proceeding] petition or comparable pleading is forwarded for filing from [an initiating state
             172      under this chapter or a law or procedure substantially similar to this chapter] another state or a
             173      foreign country.
             174          [(19)] (24) "Responding tribunal" means the authorized tribunal in a responding state.
             175          [(20)] (25) "Spousal support order" means a support order for a spouse or former
             176      spouse of the obligor.
             177          [(21)] (26) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto
             178      Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the
             179      jurisdiction of the United States. The term includes[: (a)] an Indian nation or tribe[; and].
             180          [(b) a foreign country or political subdivision that:]
             181          [(i) has been declared to be a foreign reciprocating country or political subdivision
             182      under federal law;]



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             183
         [(ii) has established a reciprocal arrangement for child-support with this state as
             184      provided in Section 78B-14-208 ; or]
             185          [(iii) has enacted a law or established procedures for issuance and enforcement of
             186      support orders which are substantially similar to the procedures under this chapter.]
             187          [(22)] (27) "Support enforcement agency" means a public official [or], governmental
             188      entity, or private agency authorized to [seek]:
             189          (a) seek enforcement of support orders or laws relating to the duty of support;
             190          (b) seek establishment or modification of child support;
             191          (c) request determination of parentage of a child;
             192          (d) [location of] attempt to locate obligors or their assets; or
             193          (e) request determination of the controlling child support order.
             194          [(23)] (28) "Support order" means a judgment, decree, order, decision, or directive,
             195      whether temporary, final, or subject to modification, issued [by a tribunal] in a state or foreign
             196      country for the benefit of a child, a spouse, or a former spouse, which provides for monetary
             197      support, health care, arrearages, retroactive support, or reimbursement[, and] for financial
             198      assistance provided to an individual obligee in place of child support. The term may include
             199      related costs and fees, interest, income withholding, automatic adjustment, reasonable attorney
             200      fees, and other relief.
             201          [(24)] (29) "Tribunal" means a court, administrative agency, or quasi-judicial entity
             202      authorized to establish, enforce, or modify support orders or to determine parentage of a child.
             203          Section 2. Section 78B-14-103 is amended to read:
             204           78B-14-103. State tribunal and support enforcement agency.
             205          (1) The district court and the Utah Department of Human Services are the tribunals of
             206      this state.
             207          (2) The Utah Department of Human Services is the state support enforcement agency.
             208          Section 3. Section 78B-14-104 is amended to read:
             209           78B-14-104. Remedies cumulative.
             210          (1) Remedies provided by this chapter are cumulative and do not affect the availability
             211      of remedies under other law[, including] or the recognition of a foreign support order [of a
             212      foreign country or political subdivision] on the basis of comity.
             213          (2) This chapter does not:



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             214
         (a) provide the exclusive method of establishing or enforcing a support order under the
             215      law of this state; or
             216          (b) grant a tribunal of this state jurisdiction to render judgment or issue an order
             217      relating to child custody or parent-time in a proceeding under this chapter.
             218          Section 4. Section 78B-14-105 is enacted to read:
             219          78B-14-105. Application of chapter to residents of foreign countries and foreign
             220      support proceedings.
             221          (1) A tribunal of this state shall apply Parts 1 through 6 and, as applicable, Part 7,
             222      Support Proceedings under Convention, to a support proceeding involving:
             223          (a) a foreign support order;
             224          (b) a foreign tribunal; or
             225          (c) an obligee, obligor, or child residing in a foreign country.
             226          (2) A tribunal of this state that is requested to recognize and enforce a support order on
             227      the basis of comity may apply the procedural and substantive provisions of Parts 1 through 6.
             228          (3) Part 7, Support Proceedings under Convention, applies only to a support proceeding
             229      under the convention. In a proceeding, if a provision of Part 7 is inconsistent with Parts 1
             230      through 6, Part 7 controls.
             231          Section 5. Section 78B-14-201 is amended to read:
             232           78B-14-201. Bases for jurisdiction over nonresident.
             233          (1) In a proceeding to establish or enforce a support order or to determine parentage, a
             234      tribunal of this state may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident individual, or the
             235      individual's guardian or conservator, if:
             236          (a) the individual is personally served with notice within this state;
             237          (b) the individual submits to the jurisdiction of this state by consent, by entering a
             238      general appearance, or by filing a responsive document having the effect of waiving any contest
             239      to personal jurisdiction;
             240          (c) the individual resided with the child in this state;
             241          (d) the individual resided in this state and provided prenatal expenses or support for the
             242      child;
             243          (e) the child resides in this state as a result of the acts or directives of the individual;
             244          (f) the individual engaged in sexual intercourse in this state and the child may have



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             245
     been conceived by that act of intercourse;
             246          (g) the individual asserted parentage of a child in the putative father registry
             247      maintained in this state by the state registrar of vital records in the Department of Health
             248      pursuant to Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 1, Utah Adoption Act; or
             249          (h) there is any other basis consistent with the constitutions of this state and the United
             250      States for the exercise of personal jurisdiction.
             251          (2) The bases of personal jurisdiction set forth in Subsection (1) or in any other law of
             252      this state may not be used to acquire personal jurisdiction for a tribunal of [the] this state to
             253      modify a child support order of another state unless the requirements of Section 78B-14-611
             254      [or 78B-14-615 ] are met, or, in the case of a foreign support order, unless the requirements of
             255      Section 78B-14-615 are met.
             256          Section 6. Section 78B-14-203 is amended to read:
             257           78B-14-203. Initiating and responding tribunal of state.
             258          Under this chapter, a tribunal of this state may serve as an initiating tribunal to forward
             259      proceedings to a tribunal of another state and as a responding tribunal for proceedings initiated
             260      in another state or a foreign country.
             261          Section 7. Section 78B-14-204 is amended to read:
             262           78B-14-204. Simultaneous proceedings in another state.
             263          (1) A tribunal of this state may exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the
             264      petition is filed after a petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state or a foreign
             265      country only:
             266          (a) if the petition in this state is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the
             267      other state or the foreign country for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of
             268      jurisdiction by the other state or the foreign country;
             269          (b) if the contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in the other
             270      state or the foreign country; and
             271          (c) if relevant, this state is the home state of the child.
             272          (2) A tribunal of this state may not exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if
             273      the petition is filed before a petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state or a foreign
             274      country:
             275          (a) if the petition or comparable pleading in the other state is filed before the expiration



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             276
     of the time allowed in this state or foreign country for filing a responsive pleading challenging
             277      the exercise of jurisdiction by this state;
             278          (b) if the contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in this state;
             279      and
             280          (c) if relevant, the other state or foreign country is the home [state] of the child.
             281          Section 8. Section 78B-14-206 is amended to read:
             282           78B-14-206. Enforcement and modification of support order by tribunal having
             283      continuing jurisdiction.
             284          (1) A tribunal of this state that has issued a child support order consistent with the law
             285      of this state may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce:
             286          (a) the order if the order is the controlling order and has not been modified by a
             287      tribunal of another state that assumed jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family
             288      Support Act; or
             289          (b) a money judgment for arrears of support and interest on the order accrued before a
             290      determination that an order of a tribunal of another state is the controlling order.
             291          (2) A tribunal of this state having continuing jurisdiction over a support order may act
             292      as a responding tribunal to enforce the order.
             293          Section 9. Section 78B-14-207 is amended to read:
             294           78B-14-207. Recognition of controlling child support order.
             295          (1) If a proceeding is brought under this chapter and only one tribunal has issued a
             296      child support order, the order of that tribunal controls and [must] shall be so recognized.
             297          (2) If a proceeding is brought under this chapter, and two or more child support orders
             298      have been issued by tribunals of this state [or another state], another state, or a foreign country
             299      with regard to the same obligor and same child, a tribunal of this state having personal
             300      jurisdiction over both the obligor and individual obligee shall apply the following rules and by
             301      order shall determine which order controls and shall be recognized:
             302          (a) If only one of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this
             303      chapter, the order of that tribunal controls [and must be so recognized].
             304          (b) If more than one of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction
             305      under this chapter, an order issued by a tribunal in the current home state of the child controls,
             306      [but] or if an order has not been issued in the current home state of the child, the order most



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             307
     recently issued controls.
             308          (c) If none of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this
             309      chapter, the tribunal of this state shall issue a child support order, which controls.
             310          (3) If two or more child support orders have been issued for the same obligor and same
             311      child, upon request of a party who is an individual or that is a support enforcement agency, a
             312      tribunal of this state having personal jurisdiction over both the obligor and the obligee who is
             313      an individual shall determine which order controls under Subsection (2). The request may be
             314      filed with a registration for enforcement or registration for modification pursuant to Part 6,
             315      Registration, Enforcement, and Modification of Support Order, or may be filed as a separate
             316      proceeding.
             317          (4) A request to determine which is the controlling order [must] shall be accompanied
             318      by a copy of every child support order in effect and the applicable record of payments. The
             319      requesting party shall give notice of the request to each party whose rights may be affected by
             320      the determination.
             321          (5) The tribunal that issued the controlling order under Subsection (1), (2), or (3) has
             322      continuing jurisdiction to the extent provided in Section 78B-14-205 or 78B-14-206 .
             323          (6) A tribunal of this state that determines by order which is the controlling order under
             324      Subsection (2)(a), (b) or, (3) that issues a new controlling order under Subsection (2)(c), shall
             325      state in that order:
             326          (a) the basis upon which the tribunal made its determination;
             327          (b) the amount of prospective support, if any; and
             328          (c) the total amount of consolidated arrears and accrued interest, if any, under all of the
             329      orders after all payments made are credited as provided by Section 78B-14-209 .
             330          (7) Within 30 days after issuance of an order determining which is the controlling
             331      order, the party obtaining the order shall file a certified copy of it in each tribunal that issued or
             332      registered an earlier order of child support. A party or support enforcement agency obtaining
             333      the order that fails to file a certified copy is subject to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in
             334      which the issue of failure to file arises. The failure to file does not affect the validity or
             335      enforceability of the controlling order.
             336          (8) An order that has been determined to be the controlling order, or a judgment for
             337      consolidated arrears of support and interest, if any, made pursuant to this section [must] shall



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             338
     be recognized in proceedings under this chapter.
             339          Section 10. Section 78B-14-208 is amended to read:
             340           78B-14-208. Child support orders for two or more obligees.
             341          In responding to registrations or petitions for enforcement of two or more child support
             342      orders in effect at the same time with regard to the same obligor and different individual
             343      obligees, at least one of which was issued by a tribunal of another state or a foreign country, a
             344      tribunal of this state shall enforce those orders in the same manner as if the orders had been
             345      issued by a tribunal of this state.
             346          Section 11. Section 78B-14-209 is amended to read:
             347           78B-14-209. Credit for payments.
             348          A tribunal of this state shall credit amounts collected for a particular period pursuant to
             349      any child support order against the amounts owed for the same period under any other child
             350      support order for support of the same child issued by a tribunal of this or another state or
             351      foreign country.
             352          Section 12. Section 78B-14-210 is amended to read:
             353           78B-14-210. Application to nonresident subject to personal jurisdiction.
             354          A tribunal of this state exercising personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a
             355      proceeding under this chapter, under other law of this state relating to a support order, or
             356      recognizing a foreign support order [of a foreign country or political subdivision on the basis of
             357      comity] may receive evidence from [another] outside this state pursuant to Section
             358      78B-14-316 , communicate with a tribunal [of another] outside this state pursuant to Section
             359      78B-14-317 , and obtain discovery through a tribunal [of another] outside this state pursuant to
             360      Section 78B-14-318 . In all other respects, Parts 3 through [7] 6 do not apply and the tribunal
             361      shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this state.
             362          Section 13. Section 78B-14-211 is amended to read:
             363           78B-14-211. Continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify spousal support order.
             364          (1) A tribunal of this state issuing a spousal support order consistent with the law of
             365      this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the spousal support order throughout
             366      the existence of the support obligation.
             367          (2) A tribunal of this state may not modify a spousal support order issued by a tribunal
             368      of another state or foreign country having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over that order



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             369
     under the law of that state or foreign country.
             370          (3) A tribunal of this state that has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal
             371      support order may serve as:
             372          (a) an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce the spousal
             373      support order issued in this state; or
             374          (b) a responding tribunal to enforce or modify its own spousal support order.
             375          Section 14. Section 78B-14-301 is amended to read:
             376           78B-14-301. Proceedings under chapter.
             377          (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, this part applies to all proceedings
             378      under this chapter.
             379          (2) An individual petitioner or a support enforcement agency may initiate a proceeding
             380      authorized under this chapter by filing a petition in an initiating tribunal for forwarding to a
             381      responding tribunal or by filing a petition or a comparable pleading directly in a tribunal of
             382      another state or a foreign country which has or can obtain personal jurisdiction over the
             383      respondent.
             384          Section 15. Section 78B-14-304 is amended to read:
             385           78B-14-304. Duties of initiating tribunal.
             386          (1) Upon the filing of a petition authorized by this chapter, an initiating tribunal of this
             387      state shall forward the petition and its accompanying documents:
             388          (a) to the responding tribunal or appropriate support enforcement agency in the
             389      responding state; or
             390          (b) if the identity of the responding tribunal is unknown, to the state information
             391      agency of the responding state with a request that they be forwarded to the appropriate tribunal
             392      and that receipt be acknowledged.
             393          (2) If requested by the responding tribunal, a tribunal of this state shall issue a
             394      certificate or other document and make findings required by the law of the responding state. If
             395      the responding [state] tribunal is in a foreign country [or political subdivision], upon request,
             396      the tribunal of this state shall specify the amount of support sought, convert that amount into
             397      the equivalent amount in the foreign currency under applicable official or market exchange rate
             398      as publicly reported, and provide any other documents necessary to satisfy the requirements of
             399      the responding [state] foreign tribunal.



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             400
         Section 16. Section 78B-14-305 is amended to read:
             401           78B-14-305. Duties and powers of responding tribunal.
             402          (1) When a responding tribunal of this state receives a petition or comparable pleading
             403      from an initiating tribunal or directly pursuant to Subsection 78B-14-301 (2), it shall cause the
             404      petition or pleading to be filed and notify the petitioner where and when it was filed.
             405          (2) A responding tribunal of this state, to the extent not prohibited by other law, may
             406      do one or more of the following:
             407          (a) [issue] establish or enforce a support order, modify a child support order, determine
             408      the controlling child support order, or determine parentage of a child;
             409          (b) order an obligor to comply with a support order, specifying the amount and the
             410      manner of compliance;
             411          (c) order income withholding;
             412          (d) determine the amount of any arrearages and specify a method of payment;
             413          (e) enforce orders by civil or criminal contempt, or both;
             414          (f) set aside property for satisfaction of the support order;
             415          (g) place liens and order execution on the obligor's property;
             416          (h) order an obligor to keep the tribunal informed of the obligor's current residential
             417      address, electronic-mail address, telephone number, employer, address of employment, and
             418      telephone number at the place of employment;
             419          (i) issue a bench warrant for an obligor who has failed after proper notice to appear at a
             420      hearing ordered by the tribunal and enter the bench warrant in any local and state computer
             421      systems for criminal warrants;
             422          (j) order the obligor to seek appropriate employment by specified methods;
             423          (k) award reasonable attorney fees and other fees and costs; and
             424          (l) grant any other available remedy.
             425          (3) A responding tribunal of this state shall include in a support order issued under this
             426      chapter, or in the documents accompanying the order, the calculations on which the support
             427      order is based.
             428          (4) A responding tribunal of this state may not condition the payment of a support
             429      order issued under this chapter upon compliance by a party with provisions for parent-time.
             430          (5) If a responding tribunal of this state issues an order under this chapter, the tribunal



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             431
     shall send a copy of the order to the petitioner and the respondent and to the initiating tribunal,
             432      if any.
             433          (6) If requested to enforce a support order, arrears, or judgment or modify a support
             434      order stated in a foreign currency, a responding tribunal of this state shall convert the amount
             435      stated in the foreign currency to the equivalent amount in dollars under the applicable official
             436      or market exchange rate as publicly reported.
             437          Section 17. Section 78B-14-307 is amended to read:
             438           78B-14-307. Duties of support enforcement agency.
             439          (1) A support enforcement agency of this state, upon request, shall provide services to
             440      a petitioner in a proceeding under this chapter.
             441          (2) A support enforcement agency of this state that is providing services to the
             442      petitioner shall:
             443          (a) take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate tribunal [in] of this state [or
             444      another state], another state, or a foreign country to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent;
             445          (b) request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time, and place for a hearing;
             446          (c) make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant information, including information as
             447      to income and property of the parties;
             448          (d) within 10 days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of
             449      a written notice in a record from an initiating, responding, or registering tribunal, send a copy
             450      of the notice to the petitioner;
             451          (e) within 10 days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of
             452      a written communication in a record from the respondent or the respondent's attorney, send a
             453      copy of the communication to the petitioner; and
             454          (f) notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the respondent cannot be obtained.
             455          (3) A support enforcement agency of this state that requests registration of a child
             456      support order in this state for enforcement or for modification shall make reasonable efforts:
             457          (a) to ensure that the order to be registered is the controlling order; or
             458          (b) if two or more child support orders exist and the identity of the controlling order
             459      has not been determined, to ensure that a request for such a determination is made in a tribunal
             460      having jurisdiction to do so.
             461          (4) A support enforcement agency of this state that requests registration and



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             462
     enforcement of a support order, arrears, or judgment stated in a foreign currency shall convert
             463      the amounts stated in the foreign currency into the equivalent amounts in dollars under the
             464      applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported.
             465          (5) A support enforcement agency of this state shall issue or request a tribunal of this
             466      state to issue a child support order and an income-withholding order that redirects payment of
             467      current support, arrears, and interest if requested to do so by a support enforcement agency of
             468      another state pursuant to Section 78B-14-319 .
             469          (6) This chapter does not create or negate a relationship of attorney and client or other
             470      fiduciary relationship between a support enforcement agency or the attorney for the agency and
             471      the individual being assisted by the agency.
             472          Section 18. Section 78B-14-308 is amended to read:
             473           78B-14-308. Duty of attorney general.
             474          (1) If the attorney general determines that the support enforcement agency is neglecting
             475      or refusing to provide services to an individual, the attorney general may order the agency to
             476      perform its duties under this chapter or may provide those services directly to the individual.
             477          (2) The attorney general may determine that a foreign country [or political subdivision]
             478      has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this state and take appropriate
             479      action for notification of the determination.
             480          Section 19. Section 78B-14-310 is amended to read:
             481           78B-14-310. Duties of state information agency.
             482          (1) The Office of Recovery Services is the state information agency under this chapter.
             483          (2) The state information agency shall:
             484          (a) compile and maintain a current list, including addresses, of the tribunals in this state
             485      which have jurisdiction under this chapter and any support enforcement agencies in this state
             486      and transmit a copy to the state information agency of every other state;
             487          (b) maintain a register of names and addresses of tribunals and support enforcement
             488      agencies received from other states;
             489          (c) forward to the appropriate tribunal in the county in this state in which the obligee
             490      who is an individual or the obligor resides, or in which the obligor's property is believed to be
             491      located, all documents concerning a proceeding under this chapter received from [an initiating
             492      tribunal or the state information agency of the initiating state] another state or a foreign



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             493
     country; and
             494          (d) obtain information concerning the location of the obligor and the obligor's property
             495      within this state not exempt from execution, by such means as postal verification and federal or
             496      state locator services, examination of telephone directories, requests for the obligor's address
             497      from employers, and examination of governmental records, including, to the extent not
             498      prohibited by law, those relating to real property, vital records, law enforcement, taxation,
             499      motor vehicles, driver's licenses, and Social Security number.
             500          Section 20. Section 78B-14-311 is amended to read:
             501           78B-14-311. Pleadings and accompanying documents.
             502          (1) In a proceeding under this chapter, a petitioner seeking to establish a support order,
             503      to determine parentage of a child, or to register and modify a support order of a tribunal of
             504      another state [must] or a foreign country shall file a petition. Unless otherwise ordered under
             505      Section 78B-14-312 , the petition or accompanying documents [must] shall provide, so far as
             506      known, the name, residential address, and Social Security numbers of the obligor and the
             507      obligee or the parent and alleged parent, and the name, sex, residential address, Social Security
             508      number, and date of birth of each child for whose benefit support is sought or whose parentage
             509      is to be determined. Unless filed at the time of registration, the petition [must] shall be
             510      accompanied by a copy of any support order known to have been issued by another tribunal.
             511      The petition may include any other information that may assist in locating or identifying the
             512      respondent.
             513          (2) The petition [must] shall specify the relief sought. The petition and accompanying
             514      documents [must] shall conform substantially with the requirements imposed by the forms
             515      mandated by federal law for use in cases filed by a support enforcement agency.
             516          Section 21. Section 78B-14-313 is amended to read:
             517           78B-14-313. Costs and fees.
             518          (1) The petitioner may not be required to pay a filing fee or other costs.
             519          (2) If an obligee prevails, a responding tribunal of this state may assess against an
             520      obligor filing fees, reasonable attorney fees, other costs, and necessary travel and other
             521      reasonable expenses incurred by the obligee and the obligee's witnesses. The tribunal may not
             522      assess fees, costs, or expenses against the obligee or the support enforcement agency of either
             523      the initiating or the responding state or a foreign country, except as provided by law. Attorney



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             524
     fees may be taxed as costs, and may be ordered paid directly to the attorney, who may enforce
             525      the order in the attorney's own name. Payment of support owed to the obligee has priority over
             526      fees, costs, and expenses.
             527          (3) The tribunal shall order the payment of costs and reasonable attorney fees if it
             528      determines that a hearing was requested primarily for delay. In a proceeding under Part 6,
             529      Registration, Enforcement, and Modification of Support Order, a hearing is presumed to have
             530      been requested primarily for delay if a registered support order is confirmed or enforced
             531      without change.
             532          Section 22. Section 78B-14-316 is amended to read:
             533           78B-14-316. Special rules of evidence and procedure.
             534          (1) The physical presence of a nonresident party who is an individual in a tribunal of
             535      this state is not required for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of a support order
             536      or the rendition of a judgment determining parentage of a child.
             537          (2) An affidavit, a document substantially complying with federally mandated forms,
             538      or a document incorporated by reference in any of them, which would not be excluded under
             539      the hearsay rule if given in person, is admissible in evidence if given under penalty of perjury
             540      by a party or witness residing [in another] outside this state.
             541          (3) A copy of the record of child support payments certified as a true copy of the
             542      original by the custodian of the record may be forwarded to a responding tribunal. The copy is
             543      evidence of facts asserted in it and is admissible to show whether payments were made.
             544          (4) Copies of bills for testing for parentage of a child, and for prenatal and postnatal
             545      health care of the mother and child, furnished to the adverse party at least 10 days before trial,
             546      are admissible in evidence to prove the amount of the charges billed and that the charges were
             547      reasonable, necessary, and customary.
             548          (5) Documentary evidence transmitted from [another] outside this state to a tribunal of
             549      this state by telephone, telecopier, or other electronic means that do not provide an original
             550      record may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.
             551          (6) In a proceeding under this chapter, a tribunal of this state shall permit a party or
             552      witness residing [in another] outside this state to be deposed or to testify by telephone,
             553      audiovisual means, or other electronic means at a designated tribunal or other location [in that
             554      state]. A tribunal of this state shall cooperate with tribunals of other states in designating an



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             555
     appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.
             556          (7) If a party called to testify at a civil hearing refuses to answer on the ground that the
             557      testimony may be self-incriminating, the trier of fact may draw an adverse inference from the
             558      refusal.
             559          (8) A privilege against disclosure of communications between spouses does not apply
             560      in a proceeding under this chapter.
             561          (9) The defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife or parent
             562      and child does not apply in a proceeding under this chapter.
             563          (10) A voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, certified as a true copy, is admissible to
             564      establish parentage of the child.
             565          Section 23. Section 78B-14-317 is amended to read:
             566           78B-14-317. Communications between tribunals.
             567          A tribunal of this state may communicate with a tribunal [of another] outside this state
             568      [or foreign country or political subdivision] in a record, or by telephone, electronic mail, or
             569      other means, to obtain information concerning the laws, the legal effect of a judgment, decree,
             570      or order of that tribunal, and the status of a proceeding [in the other state or a foreign country or
             571      political subdivision]. A tribunal of this state may furnish similar information by similar
             572      means to a tribunal [of another] outside this state or foreign country or political subdivision.
             573          Section 24. Section 78B-14-318 is amended to read:
             574           78B-14-318. Assistance with discovery.
             575          A tribunal of this state may:
             576          (1) request a tribunal [of another] outside this state to assist in obtaining discovery; and
             577          (2) upon request, compel a person over whom it has jurisdiction to respond to a
             578      discovery order issued by a tribunal [of another] outside this state.
             579          Section 25. Section 78B-14-319 is amended to read:
             580           78B-14-319. Receipt and disbursement of payments.
             581          (1) A support enforcement agency or tribunal of this state shall disburse promptly any
             582      amounts received pursuant to a support order, as directed by the order. The agency or tribunal
             583      shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of another state or a foreign country a certified
             584      statement by the custodian of the record of the amounts and dates of all payments received.
             585          (2) If neither the obligor, nor the obligee who is an individual, nor the child resides in



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             586
     this state, upon request from the support enforcement agency of this state or another state, the
             587      Office of Recovery Services or a tribunal of this state shall:
             588          (a) direct that the support payment be made to the support enforcement agency in the
             589      state in which the obligee is receiving services; and
             590          (b) issue and send to the obligor's employer a conforming income-withholding order or
             591      an administrative notice of change of payee, reflecting the redirected payments.
             592          (3) The support enforcement agency of this state receiving redirected payments from
             593      another state pursuant to a law similar to Subsection (2) shall furnish to a requesting party or
             594      tribunal of the other state a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amount and
             595      dates of all payments received.
             596          Section 26. Section 78B-14-401 is amended to read:
             597     
Part 4. Establishment of Support Order or Determination of Parentage

             598           78B-14-401. Establishment of support order.
             599          (1) If a support order entitled to recognition under this chapter has not been issued, a
             600      responding tribunal of this state with personal jurisdiction over the parties may issue a support
             601      order if:
             602          (a) the individual seeking the order resides [in another] outside this state; or
             603          (b) the support enforcement agency seeking the order is located [in another] outside
             604      this state.
             605          (2) The tribunal may issue a temporary child support order if the tribunal determines
             606      that an order is appropriate and the individual ordered to pay is:
             607          (a) a presumed father of the child;
             608          (b) petitioning to have his paternity adjudicated;
             609          (c) identified as the father of the child through genetic testing;
             610          (d) an alleged father who has declined to submit to genetic testing;
             611          (e) shown by clear and convincing evidence to be the father of the child;
             612          (f) an acknowledged father determined in accordance with Title 78B, Chapter 15, Part
             613      3, Voluntary Declaration of Paternity Act;
             614          (g) the mother of the child; or
             615          (h) an individual who has been ordered to pay child support in a previous proceeding
             616      and the order has not been reversed or vacated.



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             617
         (3) Upon finding, after notice and opportunity to be heard, that an obligor owes a duty
             618      of support, the tribunal shall issue a support order directed to the obligor and may issue other
             619      orders pursuant to Section 78B-14-305 .
             620          Section 27. Section 78B-14-402 , which is renumbered from Section 78B-14-701 is
             621      renumbered and amended to read:
             622           [78B-14-701].     78B-14-402. Proceeding to determine parentage.
             623          A tribunal of this state authorized to determine parentage of a child may serve as a
             624      responding tribunal in a proceeding to determine parentage brought under this chapter or a law
             625      or procedure substantially similar to this chapter.
             626          Section 28. Section 78B-14-504 is amended to read:
             627     
Part 5. Enforcement of Support Order Without Registration

             628           78B-14-504. Immunity from civil liability.
             629          An employer [who] that complies with an income withholding order issued in another
             630      state in accordance with this part is not subject to civil liability to an individual or agency with
             631      regard to the employer's withholding of child support from the obligor's income.
             632          Section 29. Section 78B-14-505 is amended to read:
             633           78B-14-505. Penalties for noncompliance.
             634          An employer [who] that willfully fails to comply with an income withholding order
             635      issued [by] in another state and received for enforcement is subject to the same penalties that
             636      may be imposed for noncompliance with an order issued by a tribunal of this state.
             637          Section 30. Section 78B-14-507 is amended to read:
             638           78B-14-507. Administrative enforcement of orders.
             639          (1) A party or support enforcement agency seeking to enforce a support order or an
             640      income-withholding order, or both, issued [by a tribunal of] in another state or a foreign
             641      country may send the documents required for registering the order to a support enforcement
             642      agency of this state.
             643          (2) Upon receipt of the documents, the support enforcement agency, without initially
             644      seeking to register the order, shall consider and, if appropriate, use any administrative
             645      procedure authorized by the law of this state to enforce a support order or an
             646      income-withholding order, or both. If the obligor does not contest administrative enforcement,
             647      the order need not be registered. If the obligor contests the validity or administrative



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             648
     enforcement of the order, the support enforcement agency shall register the order pursuant to
             649      this chapter.
             650          Section 31. Section 78B-14-601 is amended to read:
             651           78B-14-601. Registration of order for enforcement.
             652          A support order or income-withholding order issued [by a tribunal of] in another state
             653      or foreign country may be registered in this state for enforcement.
             654          Section 32. Section 78B-14-602 is amended to read:
             655           78B-14-602. Procedure to register order for enforcement.
             656          (1) [A] Except as otherwise provided in Section 78B-14-706 , a support order or
             657      income-withholding order of another state or foreign country may be registered in this state by
             658      sending the following records [and information] to the appropriate tribunal in this state:
             659          (a) a letter of transmittal to the tribunal requesting registration and enforcement;
             660          (b) two copies, including one certified copy, of the order to be registered, including any
             661      modification of the order;
             662          (c) a sworn statement by the person requesting registration or a certified statement by
             663      the custodian of the records showing the amount of any arrearage;
             664          (d) the name of the obligor and, if known:
             665          (i) the obligor's address and Social Security number;
             666          (ii) the name and address of the obligor's employer and any other source of income of
             667      the obligor; and
             668          (iii) a description and the location of property of the obligor in this state not exempt
             669      from execution; and
             670          (e) except as otherwise provided in Section 78B-14-312 , the name and address of the
             671      obligee and, if applicable, the person to whom support payments are to be remitted.
             672          (2) On receipt of a request for registration, the registering tribunal shall cause the order
             673      to be filed as [a foreign judgment] an order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country,
             674      together with one copy of the documents and information, regardless of their form.
             675          (3) A petition seeking a remedy that [must] shall be affirmatively sought under law of
             676      this state may be filed at the same time as the request for registration or later. The pleading
             677      [must] shall specify the grounds for the remedy sought.
             678          (4) If two or more orders are in effect, the person requesting registration shall:



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             679
         (a) furnish to the tribunal a copy of every support order asserted to be in effect in
             680      addition to the documents specified in this section;
             681          (b) specify the order alleged to be the controlling order, if any; and
             682          (c) specify the amount of consolidated arrears, if any.
             683          (5) A request for a determination of which is the controlling order may be filed
             684      separately or with a request for registration and enforcement or for registration and
             685      modification. The person requesting registration shall give notice of the request to each party
             686      whose rights may be affected by the determination.
             687          Section 33. Section 78B-14-603 is amended to read:
             688           78B-14-603. Effect of registration for enforcement.
             689          (1) A support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or a foreign
             690      country is registered when the order is filed in the registering tribunal of this state.
             691          (2) A registered support order issued in another state or a foreign country is enforceable
             692      in the same manner and is subject to the same procedures as an order issued by a tribunal of
             693      this state.
             694          (3) Except as otherwise provided in this [part] chapter, a tribunal of this state shall
             695      recognize and enforce, but may not modify, a registered support order if the issuing tribunal
             696      had jurisdiction.
             697          Section 34. Section 78B-14-604 is amended to read:
             698           78B-14-604. Choice of law.
             699          (1) Except as otherwise provided in Subsection (4), the law of the issuing state or
             700      foreign country governs:
             701          (a) the nature, extent, amount, and duration of current payments under a registered
             702      support order;
             703          (b) the computation and payment of arrearages and accrual of interest on the arrearages
             704      under the support order; and
             705          (c) the existence and satisfaction of other obligations under the support order.
             706          (2) In a proceeding for arrears under a registered support order, the statute of limitation
             707      of this state or of the issuing state or foreign country, whichever is longer, applies.
             708          (3) A responding tribunal of this state shall apply the procedures and remedies of this
             709      state to enforce current support and collect arrears and interest due on a support order of



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             710
     another state or a foreign country registered in this state.
             711          (4) After a tribunal of this or another state determines which is the controlling order
             712      and issues an order consolidating arrears, if any, a tribunal of this state shall prospectively
             713      apply the law of the state or foreign country issuing the controlling order, including its law on
             714      interest on arrears, on current and future support, and on consolidated arrears.
             715          Section 35. Section 78B-14-605 is amended to read:
             716           78B-14-605. Notice of registration of order.
             717          (1) When a support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or a
             718      foreign country is registered, the registering tribunal of this state shall notify the nonregistering
             719      party. The notice [must] shall be accompanied by a copy of the registered order and the
             720      documents and relevant information accompanying the order.
             721          (2) A notice [must] shall inform the nonregistering party:
             722          (a) that a registered order is enforceable as of the date of registration in the same
             723      manner as an order issued by a tribunal of this state;
             724          (b) that a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order [must]
             725      shall be requested within 20 days after the date of mailing or personal service of the notice,
             726      unless the registered order is under Section 78B-14-707 ;
             727          (c) that failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order in a timely
             728      manner will result in confirmation of the order and enforcement of the order and the alleged
             729      arrearages and precludes further contest of that order with respect to any matter that could have
             730      been asserted; and
             731          (d) of the amount of any alleged arrearages.
             732          (3) If the registering party asserts that two or more orders are in effect, a notice [must]
             733      shall also:
             734          (a) identify the two or more orders and the order alleged by the registering [person]
             735      party to be the controlling order and the consolidated arrears, if any;
             736          (b) notify the nonregistering party of the right to a determination of which is the
             737      controlling order;
             738          (c) state that the procedures provided in Subsection (2) apply to the determination of
             739      which is the controlling order; and
             740          (d) state that failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the order alleged to be the



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             741
     controlling order in a timely manner may result in confirmation that the order is the controlling
             742      order.
             743          (4) Upon registration of an income-withholding order for enforcement, the support
             744      enforcement agency or the registering tribunal shall notify the obligor's employer pursuant to
             745      Title 62A, Chapter 11, Part 4, Income Withholding in IV-D Cases.
             746          Section 36. Section 78B-14-606 is amended to read:
             747           78B-14-606. Procedure to contest validity or enforcement of registered support
             748      order.
             749          (1) A nonregistering party seeking to contest the validity or enforcement of a registered
             750      order in this state shall request a hearing within [20 days after notice of the registration] the
             751      time required by Section 78B-14-605 . The nonregistering party may seek to vacate the
             752      registration, to assert any defense to an allegation of noncompliance with the registered order,
             753      or to contest the remedies being sought or the amount of any alleged arrearages pursuant to
             754      Section 78B-14-607 .
             755          (2) If the nonregistering party fails to contest the validity or enforcement of the
             756      registered order in a timely manner, the order is confirmed by operation of law.
             757          (3) If a nonregistering party requests a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of
             758      the registered order, the registering tribunal shall schedule the matter for hearing and give
             759      notice to the parties of the date, time, and place of the hearing.
             760          Section 37. Section 78B-14-607 is amended to read:
             761           78B-14-607. Contest of registration or enforcement.
             762          (1) A party contesting the validity or enforcement of a registered support order or
             763      seeking to vacate the registration has the burden of proving one or more of the following
             764      defenses:
             765          (a) the issuing tribunal lacked personal jurisdiction over the contesting party;
             766          (b) the order was obtained by fraud;
             767          (c) the order has been vacated, suspended, or modified by a later order;
             768          (d) the issuing tribunal has stayed the order pending appeal;
             769          (e) there is a defense under the law of this state to the remedy sought;
             770          (f) full or partial payment has been made;
             771          (g) the statute of limitation under Section 78B-14-604 precludes enforcement of some



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             772
     or all of the alleged arrearages; or
             773          (h) the alleged controlling order is not the controlling order.
             774          (2) If a party presents evidence establishing a full or partial defense under Subsection
             775      (1), a tribunal may stay enforcement of [the] a registered support order, continue the
             776      proceeding to permit production of additional relevant evidence, and issue other appropriate
             777      orders. An uncontested portion of the registered support order may be enforced by all remedies
             778      available under the law of this state.
             779          (3) If the contesting party does not establish a defense under Subsection (1) to the
             780      validity or enforcement of [the] a registered support order, the registering tribunal shall issue an
             781      order confirming the order.
             782          Section 38. Section 78B-14-608 is amended to read:
             783           78B-14-608. Confirmed order.
             784          Confirmation of a registered support order, whether by operation of law or after notice
             785      and hearing, precludes further contest of the order with respect to any matter that could have
             786      been asserted at the time of registration.
             787          Section 39. Section 78B-14-609 is amended to read:
             788           78B-14-609. Procedure to register child support order of another state for
             789      modification.
             790          A party or support enforcement agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a
             791      child support order issued in another state shall register that order in this state in the same
             792      manner provided in Sections 78B-14-601 [, 78B-14-602 , 78B-14-603 , and 78B-14-604 ] through
             793      78B-14-608 if the order has not been registered. A petition for modification may be filed at the
             794      same time as a request for registration, or later. The pleading [must] shall specify the grounds
             795      for modification.
             796          Section 40. Section 78B-14-610 is amended to read:
             797           78B-14-610. Effect of registration for modification.
             798          A tribunal of this state may enforce a child support order of another state registered for
             799      purposes of modification, in the same manner as if the order had been issued by a tribunal of
             800      this state, but the registered support order may be modified only if the requirements of Section
             801      78B-14-611 [,] or 78B-14-613 [, or 78B-14-615 ] have been met.
             802          Section 41. Section 78B-14-611 is amended to read:



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             803
          78B-14-611. Modification of child support order of another state.
             804          (1) If Section 78B-14-613 does not apply, [except as otherwise provided in Section
             805      78B-14-615 ,] upon petition a tribunal of this state may modify a child support order issued in
             806      another state which is registered in this state if, after notice and hearing, the tribunal finds that:
             807          (a) the following requirements are met:
             808          (i) neither the child, nor the obligee who is an individual, nor the obligor resides in the
             809      issuing state;
             810          (ii) a petitioner who is a nonresident of this state seeks modification; and
             811          (iii) the respondent is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this state; or
             812          (b) this state is the [state of] residence of the child, or a party who is an individual, is
             813      subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this state and all of the parties who are
             814      individuals have filed consents in a record in the issuing tribunal for a tribunal of this state to
             815      modify the support order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.
             816          (2) Modification of a registered child support order is subject to the same requirements,
             817      procedures, and defenses that apply to the modification of an order issued by a tribunal of this
             818      state and the order may be enforced and satisfied in the same manner.
             819          (3) [Except as otherwise provided in Section 78B-14-615 , a] A tribunal of this state
             820      may not modify any aspect of a child support order that may not be modified under the law of
             821      the issuing state, including the duration of the obligation of support. If two or more tribunals
             822      have issued child support orders for the same obligor and same child, the order that controls
             823      and [must] shall be so recognized under Section 78B-14-207 establishes the aspects of the
             824      support order which are nonmodifiable.
             825          (4) In a proceeding to modify a child support order, the law of the state that is
             826      determined to have issued the initial controlling order governs the duration of the obligation of
             827      support. The obligor's fulfillment of the duty of support established by that order precludes
             828      imposition of a further obligation of support by a tribunal of this state.
             829          (5) On issuance of an order by a tribunal of this state modifying a child support order
             830      issued in another state, the tribunal of this state becomes the tribunal of continuing, exclusive
             831      jurisdiction.
             832          (6) Notwithstanding Subsections (1) through (5) and Subsection 78B-14-201 (2), a
             833      tribunal of this state retains jurisdiction to modify an order issued by a tribunal of this state if:



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             834
         (a) one party resides in another state; and
             835          (b) the other party resides outside the United States.
             836          Section 42. Section 78B-14-615 is amended to read:
             837           78B-14-615. Jurisdiction to modify child support order of foreign country or
             838      political subdivision.
             839          (1) [If] Except as otherwise provided in Section 78B-14-711 , if a foreign country [or
             840      political subdivision that is a state will not or may not modify its order] lacks or refuses to
             841      exercise jurisdiction to modify its child support order pursuant to its laws, a tribunal of this
             842      state may assume jurisdiction to modify the child support order and bind all individuals subject
             843      to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal whether or not the consent to modification of a child
             844      support order otherwise required of the individual pursuant to Section 78B-14-611 has been
             845      given or whether the individual seeking modification is a resident of this state or of the foreign
             846      country [or political subdivision].
             847          (2) An order issued by a tribunal of this state modifying a foreign child support order
             848      pursuant to this section is the controlling order.
             849          Section 43. Section 78B-14-616 is enacted to read:
             850          78B-14-616. Procedure to register child support order of foreign country for
             851      modification.
             852          A party or support enforcement agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a
             853      foreign child support order not under the convention may register that order in this state under
             854      Sections 78B-14-601 through 78B-14-608 if the order has not been registered. A petition for
             855      modification may be filed at the same time as a request for registration, or at another time. The
             856      petition shall specify the grounds for modification.
             857          Section 44. Section 78B-14-701.5 is enacted to read:
             858     
Part 7. Support Proceedings under Convention

             859          78B-14-701.5. Definitions.
             860          As used in this part:
             861          (1) "Application" means a request under the convention by an obligee or obligor, or on
             862      behalf of a child, made through a central authority for assistance from another central authority.
             863          (2) "Central authority" means the entity designated by the United States or a foreign
             864      country described in Subsection 78B-14-102 (5)(d) to perform the functions specified in the



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             865
     convention.
             866          (3) "Convention support order" means a support order of a tribunal of a foreign country
             867      described in Subsection 78B-14-102 (5)(d).
             868          (4) "Direct request" means a petition filed by an individual in a tribunal of this state in
             869      a proceeding involving an obligee, obligor, or child residing outside the United States.
             870          (5) "Foreign central authority" means the entity designated by a foreign country
             871      described in Subsection 78B-14-102 (5)(d) to perform the functions specified in the convention.
             872          (6) "Foreign support agreement":
             873          (a) means an agreement for support in a record that:
             874          (i) is enforceable as a support order in the country of origin;
             875          (ii) has been:
             876          (A) formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument by a foreign tribunal; or
             877          (B) authenticated by, or concluded, registered, or filed with a foreign tribunal; and
             878          (iii) may be reviewed and modified by a foreign tribunal; and
             879          (b) includes a maintenance arrangement or authentic instrument under the convention.
             880          (7) "United States central authority" means the Secretary of the United States
             881      Department of Health and Human Services.
             882          Section 45. Section 78B-14-702 is enacted to read:
             883          78B-14-702. Applicability.
             884          This part applies only to a support proceeding under the convention. In such a
             885      proceeding, if a provision of this part is inconsistent with Parts 1 through 6, this part controls.
             886          Section 46. Section 78B-14-703 is enacted to read:
             887          78B-14-703. Relationship of Department of Human Services to United States
             888      central authority.
             889          The Utah Department of Human Services is recognized as the agency designated by the
             890      United States central authority to perform specific functions under the convention.
             891          Section 47. Section 78B-14-704 is enacted to read:
             892          78B-14-704. Initiation by Department of Human Services of support proceeding
             893      under convention.
             894          (1) In a support proceeding under this part, the Utah Department of Human Services
             895      shall:



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             896
         (a) transmit and receive applications; and
             897          (b) initiate or facilitate the institution of a proceeding regarding an application in a
             898      tribunal of this state.
             899          (2) The following support proceedings are available to an obligee under the
             900      convention:
             901          (a) recognition or recognition and enforcement of a foreign support order;
             902          (b) enforcement of a support order issued or recognized in this state;
             903          (c) establishment of a support order if there is no existing order, including, if
             904      necessary, determination of parentage of a child;
             905          (d) establishment of a support order if recognition of a foreign support order is refused
             906      under Subsection 78B-14-708 (2)(b), (d), or (i);
             907          (e) modification of a support order of a tribunal of this state; and
             908          (f) modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.
             909          (3) The following support proceedings are available under the convention to an obligor
             910      against which there is an existing support order:
             911          (a) recognition of an order suspending or limiting enforcement of an existing support
             912      order of a tribunal of this state;
             913          (b) modification of a support order of a tribunal of this state; and
             914          (c) modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.
             915          (4) A tribunal of this state may not require security, bond, or deposit, however
             916      described, to guarantee the payment of costs and expenses in proceedings under the
             917      convention.
             918          Section 48. Section 78B-14-705 is enacted to read:
             919          78B-14-705. Direct request.
             920          (1) A petitioner may file a direct request seeking establishment or modification of a
             921      support order or determination of parentage of a child. In the proceeding, the law of this state
             922      applies.
             923          (2) A petitioner may file a direct request seeking recognition and enforcement of a
             924      support order or support agreement. In the proceeding, Sections 78B-14-706 through
             925      78B-14-713 apply.
             926          (3) In a direct request for recognition and enforcement of a convention support order or



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             927
     foreign support agreement:
             928          (a) a security, bond, or deposit is not required to guarantee the payment of costs and
             929      expenses; and
             930          (b) an obligee or obligor that in the issuing country has benefitted from free legal
             931      assistance is entitled to benefit, at least to the same extent, from any free legal assistance
             932      provided for by the law of this state under the same circumstances.
             933          (4) A petitioner filing a direct request is not entitled to assistance from the Department
             934      of Human Services.
             935          (5) This part does not prevent the application of laws of this state that provide
             936      simplified, more expeditious rules regarding a direct request for recognition and enforcement
             937      of a foreign support order or foreign support agreement.
             938          Section 49. Section 78B-14-706 is enacted to read:
             939          78B-14-706. Registration of convention support order.
             940          (1) Except as otherwise provided in this part, a party who is an individual or a support
             941      enforcement agency seeking recognition of a convention support order shall register the order
             942      in this state as provided in Part 6, Registration, Enforcement, and Modification of Support
             943      Order.
             944          (2) Notwithstanding Section 78B-14-311 and Subsection 78B-14-602 (1), a request for
             945      registration of a convention support order shall be accompanied by:
             946          (a) a complete text of the support order or an abstract or extract of the support order
             947      drawn up by the issuing foreign tribunal, which may be in the form recommended by the Hague
             948      Conference on Private International Law;
             949          (b) a record stating that the support order is enforceable in the issuing country;
             950          (c) if the respondent did not appear and was not represented in the proceedings in the
             951      issuing country, a record attesting, as appropriate, either that the respondent had proper notice
             952      of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard or that the respondent had proper notice of
             953      the support order and an opportunity to be heard in a challenge or appeal on fact or law before a
             954      tribunal;
             955          (d) a record showing the amount of arrears, if any, and the date the amount was
             956      calculated;
             957          (e) a record showing a requirement for automatic adjustment of the amount of support,



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             958
     if any, and the information necessary to make the appropriate calculations; and
             959          (f) if necessary, a record showing the extent to which the applicant received free legal
             960      assistance in the issuing country.
             961          (3) A request for registration of a convention support order may seek recognition and
             962      partial enforcement of the order.
             963          (4) A tribunal of this state may vacate the registration of a convention support order
             964      without the filing of a contest under Section 78B-14-707 only if, acting on its own motion, the
             965      tribunal finds that recognition and enforcement of the order would be manifestly incompatible
             966      with public policy.
             967          (5) The tribunal shall promptly notify the parties of the registration or the order
             968      vacating the registration of a convention support order.
             969          Section 50. Section 78B-14-707 is enacted to read:
             970          78B-14-707. Contest of registered convention support order.
             971          (1) Except as otherwise provided in this part, Sections 78B-14-605 through
             972      78B-14-608 apply to a contest of a registered convention support order.
             973          (2) A party contesting a registered convention support order shall file a contest not later
             974      than 30 days after notice of the registration, but if the contesting party does not reside in the
             975      United States, the contest shall be filed not later than 60 days after notice of the registration.
             976          (3) If the nonregistering party fails to contest the registered convention support order
             977      by the time specified in Subsection (2), the order is enforceable.
             978          (4) A contest of a registered convention support order may be based only on grounds
             979      set forth in Section 78B-14-708 . The contesting party bears the burden of proof.
             980          (5) In a contest of a registered convention support order, a tribunal of this state:
             981          (a) is bound by the findings of fact on which the foreign tribunal based its jurisdiction;
             982      and
             983          (b) may not review the merits of the order.
             984          (6) A tribunal of this state deciding a contest of a registered convention support order
             985      shall promptly notify the parties of its decision.
             986          (7) A challenge or appeal, if any, does not stay the enforcement of a convention
             987      support order unless there are exceptional circumstances.
             988          Section 51. Section 78B-14-708 is enacted to read:



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             989
         78B-14-708. Recognition and enforcement of registered convention support order.
             990          (1) Except as otherwise provided in Subsection (2), a tribunal of this state shall
             991      recognize and enforce a registered convention support order.
             992          (2) The following grounds are the only grounds on which a tribunal of this state may
             993      refuse recognition and enforcement of a registered convention support order:
             994          (a) recognition and enforcement of the order is manifestly incompatible with public
             995      policy, including the failure of the issuing tribunal to observe minimum standards of due
             996      process, which include notice and an opportunity to be heard;
             997          (b) the issuing tribunal lacked personal jurisdiction consistent with Section
             998      78B-14-201 ;
             999          (c) the order is not enforceable in the issuing country;
             1000          (d) the order was obtained by fraud in connection with a matter of procedure;
             1001          (e) a record transmitted in accordance with Section 78B-14-706 lacks authenticity or
             1002      integrity;
             1003          (f) a proceeding between the same parties and having the same purpose is pending
             1004      before a tribunal of this state and that proceeding was the first to be filed;
             1005          (g) the order is incompatible with a more recent support order involving the same
             1006      parties and having the same purpose if the more recent support order is entitled to recognition
             1007      and enforcement under this chapter in this state;
             1008          (h) payment, to the extent alleged arrears have been paid in whole or in part;
             1009          (i) in a case in which the respondent neither appeared nor was represented in the
             1010      proceeding in the issuing foreign country:
             1011          (i) if the law of that country provides for prior notice of proceedings, the respondent
             1012      did not have proper notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard; or
             1013          (ii) if the law of that country does not provide for prior notice of the proceedings, the
             1014      respondent did not have proper notice of the order and an opportunity to be heard in a
             1015      challenge or appeal on fact or law before a tribunal; or
             1016          (j) the order was made in violation of Section 78B-14-711 .
             1017          (3) If a tribunal of this state does not recognize a convention support order under
             1018      Subsection (2)(b), (d), (f), or (i):
             1019          (a) the tribunal may not dismiss the proceeding without allowing a reasonable time for



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             1020
     a party to request the establishment of a new convention support order; and
             1021          (b) the Department of Human Services shall take all appropriate measures to request a
             1022      child support order for the obligee if the application for recognition and enforcement was
             1023      received under Section 78B-14-704 .
             1024          Section 52. Section 78B-14-709 is enacted to read:
             1025          78B-14-709. Partial enforcement.
             1026          If a tribunal of this state does not recognize and enforce a convention support order in
             1027      its entirety, it shall enforce any severable part of the order. An application or direct request
             1028      may seek recognition and partial enforcement of a convention support order.
             1029          Section 53. Section 78B-14-710 is enacted to read:
             1030          78B-14-710. Foreign support agreement.
             1031          (1) Except as otherwise provided in Subsections (3) and (4), a tribunal of this state
             1032      shall recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement registered in this state.
             1033          (2) An application or direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign
             1034      support agreement shall be accompanied by:
             1035          (a) a complete text of the foreign support agreement; and
             1036          (b) a record stating that the foreign support agreement is enforceable as an order of
             1037      support in the issuing country.
             1038          (3) A tribunal of this state may vacate the registration of a foreign support agreement
             1039      only if, acting on its own motion, the tribunal finds that recognition and enforcement would be
             1040      manifestly incompatible with public policy.
             1041          (4) In a contest of a foreign support agreement, a tribunal of this state may refuse
             1042      recognition and enforcement of the agreement if it finds:
             1043          (a) recognition and enforcement of the agreement is manifestly incompatible with
             1044      public policy;
             1045          (b) the agreement was obtained by fraud or falsification;
             1046          (c) the agreement is incompatible with a support order involving the same parties and
             1047      having the same purpose in this state, another state, or a foreign country if the support order is
             1048      entitled to recognition and enforcement under this chapter in this state; or
             1049          (d) the record submitted under Subsection (2) lacks authenticity or integrity.
             1050          (5) A proceeding for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement shall



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             1051
     be suspended during the pendency of a challenge to or appeal of the agreement before a
             1052      tribunal of another state or a foreign country.
             1053          Section 54. Section 78B-14-711 is enacted to read:
             1054          78B-14-711. Modification of convention child support order.
             1055          (1) A tribunal of this state may not modify a convention child support order if the
             1056      obligee remains a resident of the foreign country where the support order was issued unless:
             1057          (a) the obligee submits to the jurisdiction of a tribunal of this state, either expressly or
             1058      by defending on the merits of the case without objecting to the jurisdiction at the first available
             1059      opportunity; or
             1060          (b) the foreign tribunal lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to modify its support
             1061      order or issue a new support order.
             1062          (2) If a tribunal of this state does not modify a convention child support order because
             1063      the order is not recognized in this state, Subsection 78B-14-708 (3) applies.
             1064          Section 55. Section 78B-14-712 is enacted to read:
             1065          78B-14-712. Personal information -- Limit on use.
             1066          Personal information gathered or transmitted under this part may be used only for the
             1067      purposes for which it was gathered or transmitted.
             1068          Section 56. Section 78B-14-713 is enacted to read:
             1069          78B-14-713. Record in original language -- English translation.
             1070          A record filed with a tribunal of this state under this part shall be in the original
             1071      language and, if not in English, shall be accompanied by an English translation.
             1072          Section 57. Section 78B-14-901 is amended to read:
             1073           78B-14-901. Uniformity of application and construction.
             1074          This chapter is a uniform act. In applying and construing it, consideration [must] shall
             1075      be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among
             1076      states that enact it.
             1077          Section 58. Section 78B-14-902 is enacted to read:
             1078          78B-14-902. Transitional provision.
             1079          The 2011 amendments to this chapter apply to proceedings begun on or after May 10,
             1080      2011:
             1081          (1) to establish a support order or determine parentage of a child; or



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Senate 2nd Reading Amendments 1-28-2011 rd/ecm
             1082
         (2) to register, recognize, enforce, or modify a prior support order, determination, or
             1083      agreement, whenever issued or entered.
             1083a      S.     Section 59. Effective Date.
             1083b          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2013.  .S





Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-16-10 2:26 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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