Chapter 074

2017 -- S 0803 Enacted 06/29/2017

A N   A C T

RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

Introduced By: Senator Erin P. Lynch Prata

Date Introduced: April 25, 2017

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Sections 15-23.1-703, 15-23.1-704 and 15-23.1-705 of the General Laws in

Chapter 15-23.1 entitled "Uniform Interstate Family Support Act" are hereby amended to read as

follows:

15-23.1-703. Relationship of the Rhode Island court to United States central

authority. Relationship of the state of Rhode Island office of child support services.

The court department of human services - office of child support services of this state is

recognized as the agency designated by the United States central authority to perform specific

functions under the convention.

15-23.1-704. Initiation by the Rhode Island court of support proceeding under

convention. Initiation by the Rhode Island department of human services - office of child

support services.

(a) In a support proceeding under this chapter, the court department of human services -

office of child support services of this state shall:

(1) Transmit and receive applications; and

(2) Initiate or facilitate the institution of a proceeding regarding an application in a

tribunal of this state.

(b) The following support proceedings are available to an obligee under the convention:

(1) Recognition or recognition and enforcement of a foreign support order;

(2) Enforcement of a support order issued or recognized in this state;

(3) Establishment of support order if there is no existing order, including, if necessary,

determination of parentage of a child;

(4) Establishment of support order if recognition of a foreign support order is refused

under subdivision §§ 15-23.1-708(b)(2), (b)(4), or (b)(9);

(5) Modification of a support order of a tribunal of this state; and

(6) Modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.

(c) The following support proceedings are available under the convention to an obligor

against which there is an existing support order:

(1) Recognition of an order suspending or limiting enforcement of an existing support

order of a tribunal of this state;

(2) Modification of a support order of a tribunal of this state; and

(3) Modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.

(d) A tribunal of this state may not require security, bond, or deposit, however described,

to guarantee the payment of costs and expenses in proceedings under the convention.

15-23.1-705. Direct request.

(a) A petitioner may file a direct request seeking establishment or modification of a

support order or determination of parentage of a child. In the proceeding, the law of this state

applies.

(b) A petitioner may file a direct request seeking recognition and enforcement of a

support order or support agreement. In the proceeding, §§ 15-23.1-706 -- 15-23.1-713 apply.

(c) In a direct request for recognition and enforcement of a convention support order or

foreign support agreement:

(1) A security, bond, or deposit is not required to guarantee the payment of costs and

expenses; and

(2) An obligee of or obligor that in the issuing country has benefited from free legal

assistance is entitled to benefit, at least to the same extent, from any free legal assistance provided

for by the law of this state under the same circumstances.

(d) A petitioner filing a direct request is not entitled to assistance from the court

department of human services - office of child support services.

(e) This chapter does not prevent the application of laws of this state that provide

simplified, more expeditious rules regarding a direct request for recognition and enforcement of a

foreign support order or foreign support agreement.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC002299

========