HB 1111

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to the Uniform Interstate Family Support
3	Act; amending s. 88.1011, F.S.; revising and providing
4	definitions; amending s. 88.1021, F.S.; designating the
5	Department of Revenue as the support enforcement agency of
6	this state; amending s. 88.1031, F.S.; revising provisions
7	relating to remedies provided by the act; creating s.
8	88.1041, F.S.; providing for applicability of provisions
9	to residents of foreign counties and foreign support
10	proceedings; amending s. 88.2011, F.S.; providing that
11	specified bases of personal jurisdiction may not be used
12	to acquire personal jurisdiction for certain purposes
13	unless specified requirements are met; amending s.
14	88.2021, F.S.; providing for duration of personal
15	jurisdiction; deleting provisions relating to procedure
16	when exercising jurisdiction over nonresident; amending
17	ss. 88.2031 and 88.2041, F.S.; conforming provisions to
18	changes made by the act; amending s. 88.2051, F.S.;
19	revising provisions relating to continuation of exclusive
20	jurisdiction; amending s. 88.2061, F.S.; providing for
21	continuing jurisdiction to enforce child support orders;
22	amending s. 88.2071, F.S.; revising provisions relating to
23	determination of a controlling child support order;
24	amending s. 88.2081, F.S.; revising language relating to
25	child support orders for two or more obligees; amending s.
26	88.2091, F.S.; revising language relating to credit for
27	child support payments; creating s. 88.2101, F.S.;
28	providing for application of the act to a nonresident
29	subject to personal jurisdiction; creating s. 88.2111,
30	F.S.; providing for continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to
31	modify a spousal support order; amending s. 88.3011, F.S.;
32	revising provisions relating to applicability of the act;
33	amending ss. 88.3021 and 88.3031, F.S.; revising
34	terminology; amending s. 88.3041, F.S.; revising
35	provisions relating to duties of an initiating tribunal;
36	amending s. 88.3051, F.S.; revising provisions relating to
37	duties and powers of a responding tribunal; amending s.
38	88.3061, F.S.; revising terminology; amending s. 88.3071,
39	F.S.; revising provisions relating to the duties of a
40	support enforcement agency; amending s. 88.3081, F.S.;
41	providing that the Governor and Cabinet may determine that
42	a foreign country has established a reciprocal arrangement
43	for child support with this state and take appropriate
44	action for notification of the determination; amending s.
45	88.3101, F.S.; revising terminology; amending s. 88.3111,
46	F.S.; revising provisions relating to pleadings and
47	accompanying documents; amending s. 88.3121, F.S.;
48	revising requirements for nondisclosure of certain
49	information; amending ss. 88.3131 and 88.3141, F.S.;
50	revising terminology; amending s. 88.3161, F.S.; revising
51	provisions relating to special rules of evidence and
52	procedure; amending ss. 88.3171 and 88.3181, F.S.;
53	revising terminology; amending s. 88.3191, F.S.; revising
54	provisions relating to receipt and disbursement of
55	payments; amending s. 88.4011, F.S.; revising provisions
56	relating to establishment of a support order; providing a
57	directive to the Division of Statutory Revision; amending
58	s. 88.5011, F.S.; revising provisions relating to an
59	employer's receipt of an income-withholding order from
60	another state; amending ss. 88.50211, 88.5031, 88.5041,
61	and 88.5051, F.S.; revising terminology; amending s.
62	88.5061, F.S.; revising provisions relating to a contest
63	by obligor; amending s. 88.5071, F.S.; revising
64	terminology; providing a directive to the Division of
65	Statutory Revision; amending s. 88.6011, F.S.; revising
66	terminology; amending s. 88.6021, F.S.; revising
67	provisions relating to the procedure to register order for
68	enforcement; amending s. 88.6031, F.S.; revising
69	terminology; amending s. 88.6041, F.S.; revising
70	provisions relating to choice of law; amending s. 88.6051,
71	F.S.; revising provisions relating to notice of
72	registration of order; amending s. 88.6061, F.S.; revising
73	provisions relating to the procedure to contest the
74	validity or enforcement of a registered order; amending s.
75	88.6071, F.S.; revising provisions relating to the
76	contesting of registration or enforcement; amending s.
77	88.6081, F.S.; revising terminology; amending s. 88.6091,
78	F.S.; correcting a cross-reference; amending s. 88.6111,
79	F.S.; revising provisions relating to modification of a
80	child support order of another state; amending s. 88.6121,
81	F.S.; revising provisions relating to recognition of a
82	child support order modified in another state; creating s.
83	88.6151, F.S.; providing for jurisdiction to modify a
84	child support order of a foreign county; creating s.
85	88.6161, F.S.; providing procedures for registration of a
86	child support order of a foreign country for modification;
87	providing a directive to the Division of Statutory
88	Revision; repealing s. 88.7011, F.S., relating to a
89	proceeding to determine parentage; creating s. 88.70111,
90	F.S.; providing definitions relating to a support
91	proceeding under the Convention on the International
92	Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family
93	Maintenance; creating s. 88.7021, F.S.; providing for
94	applicability; creating s. 88.7031, F.S.; specifying the
95	relationship of the Department of Revenue to the United
96	States central authority; creating s. 88.7041, F.S.;
97	providing for initiation by the Department of Revenue of
98	support proceedings subject to the convention; creating s.
99	88.7051, F.S.; providing for direct requests to tribunals;
100	creating s. 88.7061, F.S.; providing for registration of a
101	support order subject to the convention; creating s.
102	88.7071, F.S.; providing for contests of the validity of
103	foreign support orders subject to the convention; creating
104	s. 88.7081, F.S.; providing for the recognition and
105	enforcement of a foreign support order subject to the
106	convention; creating s. 88.7091, F.S.; specifying grounds
107	for the refusal of recognition and enforcement of foreign
108	support order subject to the convention; creating s.
109	88.7101, F.S.; providing requirements for a foreign
110	support agreement subject to the convention; creating s.
111	88.7111, F.S.; providing for the modification of a foreign
112	child support order subject to the convention; creating s.
113	88.7121, F.S.; providing jurisdiction to modify a spousal
114	support order of a foreign country; amending s. 88.8011,
115	F.S.; revising terminology; amending s. 88.9011, F.S.;
116	revising provisions relating to the uniformity of
117	application and construction of the act; amending s.
118	88.9031, F.S.; revising terminology; amending ss. 61.13
119	and 827.06, F.S.; correcting cross-references; providing
120	an effective date.
121
122	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
123
124	Section 1.  Section 88.1011, Florida Statutes, is amended
125	to read:
126	88.1011  Definitions.-As used in this act:
127	(1)  "Child" means an individual, whether over or under the
128	age of majority, who is or is alleged to be owed a duty of
129	support by the individual's parent or who is or is alleged to be
130	the beneficiary of a support order directed to the parent.
131	(2)  "Child support order" means a support order for a
132	child, including a child who has attained the age of majority
133	under the law of the issuing state or foreign country.
134	(3)  "Convention" means the Convention on the International
135	Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance,
136	concluded at The Hague on November 23, 2007.
137	(4)(3)  "Duty of support" means an obligation imposed or
138	imposable by law to provide support for a child, spouse, or
139	former spouse, including an unsatisfied obligation to provide
140	support.
141	(5)  "Foreign country" means a country, including a
142	political subdivision thereof, other than the United States,
143	that authorizes the issuance of support orders and:
144	(a)  Which has been declared under the law of the United
145	States to be a foreign reciprocating country;
146	(b)  Which has established a reciprocal arrangement for
147	child support with this state as provided in s. 88.3081;
148	(c)  Which has enacted a law or established procedures for
149	the issuance and enforcement of support orders which are
150	substantially similar to the procedures under this act; or
151	(d)  In which the convention is in force with respect to
152	the United States.
153	(6)  "Foreign support order" means a support order of a
154	foreign tribunal.
155	(7)  "Foreign tribunal" means a court, administrative
156	agency, or quasi-judicial entity of a foreign country which is
157	authorized to establish, enforce, or modify support orders or to
158	determine parentage of a child. The term includes a competent
159	authority under the convention.
160	(8)(4)  "Home state" means the state in which a child lived
161	with a parent or a person acting as parent for at least 6
162	consecutive months immediately preceding the time of filing of a
163	petition or comparable pleading for support and, if a child is
164	less than 6 months old, the state in which the child lived from
165	birth with any of them. A period of temporary absence of any of
166	them is counted as part of the 6-month or other period.
167	(9)(5)  "Income" includes earnings or other periodic
168	entitlements to money from any source and any other property
169	subject to withholding for support under the law of this state.
170	(10)(6)  "Income-withholding order" means an order or other
171	legal process directed to an obligor's employer or other debtor,
172	as defined by the income deduction law of this state, or payor
173	as defined by s. 61.046, to withhold support from the income of
174	the obligor.
175	(7)  "Initiating state" means a state from which a
176	proceeding is forwarded or in which a proceeding is filed for
177	forwarding to a responding state under this act or a law or
178	procedure substantially similar to this act, the Uniform
179	Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, or the Revised Uniform
180	Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act.
181	(11)(8)  "Initiating tribunal" means the authorized
182	tribunal in an initiating state.
183	(12)  "Issuing foreign country" means the foreign country
184	in which a tribunal issues a support order or a judgment
185	determining parentage of a child.
186	(13)(9)  "Issuing state" means the state in which a
187	tribunal issues a support order or renders a judgment
188	determining parentage.
189	(14)(10)  "Issuing tribunal" means the tribunal that issues
190	a support order or renders a judgment determining parentage.
191	(15)(11)  "Law" includes decisional and statutory law and
192	rules and regulations having the force of law.
193	(16)(12)  "Obligee" means:
194	(a)  An individual to whom a duty of support is or is
195	alleged to be owed or in whose favor a support order has been
196	issued or a judgment determining parentage has been issued
197	rendered;
198	(b)  A state or political subdivision to which the rights
199	under a duty of support or support order have been assigned or
200	which has independent claims based on financial assistance
201	provided to an individual obligee; or
202	(c)  An individual seeking a judgment determining parentage
203	of the individual's child; or
204	(d)  A person that is a creditor in a proceeding under part
205	VII of this chapter.
206	(17)(13)  "Obligor" means an individual, or the estate of a
207	decedent that:
208	(a)  Who Owes or is alleged to owe a duty of support;
209	(b)  Who Is alleged but has not been adjudicated to be a
210	parent of a child; or
211	(c)  Who Is liable under a support order.
212	(18)  "Person" means an individual, corporation, business
213	trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company,
214	association, joint venture, public corporation, government, or
215	governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality or any
216	other legal or commercial entity.
217	(19)  "Record" means information that is inscribed on a
218	tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other
219	medium that is retrievable in perceivable form.
220	(20)(14)  "Register" means to record or file a support
221	order or judgment determining parentage of a child issued in
222	another state or a foreign country in the Registry of Foreign
223	Support Orders of the circuit court, or other appropriate
224	location for the recording or filing of foreign judgments
225	generally or foreign support orders specifically.
226	(21)(15)  "Registering tribunal" means a tribunal in which
227	a support order is registered.
228	(22)(16)  "Responding state" means a state in which a
229	proceeding is filed or to which a proceeding is forwarded for
230	filing from another state or a foreign country an initiating
231	state under this act or a law or procedure substantially similar
232	to this act, the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act,
233	or the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act.
234	(23)(17)  "Responding tribunal" means the authorized
235	tribunal in a responding state.
236	(24)(18)  "Spousal-support order" means a support order for
237	a spouse or former spouse of the obligor.
238	(25)(19)  "State" means a state of the United States, the
239	District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin
240	Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the
241	jurisdiction of the United States. The term includes:
242	(a)  an Indian tribe; and
243	(b)  A foreign jurisdiction that has enacted a law or
244	established procedures for issuance and enforcement of support
245	orders which are substantially similar to the procedures under
246	this act, the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, or
247	the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, as
248	determined by the Attorney General.
249	(26)(20)  "Support enforcement agency" means a public
250	official or agency authorized to seek:
251	(a)  Seek enforcement of support orders or laws relating to
252	the duty of support;
253	(b)  Seek establishment or modification of child support;
254	(c)  Request determination of parentage; or
255	(d)  Attempt to locate obligors or their assets; or
256	(e)  Request determination of the controlling child support
257	order.
258	(27)(21)  "Support order" means a judgment, decree, or
259	order, or directive, whether temporary, final, or subject to
260	modification, issued in a state or foreign country for the
261	benefit of a child, a spouse, or a former spouse, which provides
262	for monetary support, health care, arrearages, retroactive
263	support, or reimbursement for financial assistance provided to
264	an individual obligee in place of child support. The term, and
265	may include related costs and fees, interest, income
266	withholding, automatic adjustment, reasonable attorney's fees,
267	and other relief.
268	(28)(22)  "Tribunal" means a court, administrative agency,
269	or quasi-judicial entity authorized to establish, enforce, or
270	modify support orders or to determine parentage.
271	Section 2.  Section 88.1021, Florida Statutes, is amended
272	to read:
273	88.1021  Tribunal of State tribunal and support enforcement
274	agency.-
275	(1)  The circuit court or other appropriate court,
276	administrative agency, quasi-judicial entity, or combination is
277	the tribunal of this state.
278	(2)  The Department of Revenue is the support enforcement
279	agency of this state.
280	Section 3.  Section 88.1031, Florida Statutes, is amended
281	to read:
282	88.1031  Remedies cumulative.-
283	(1)  Remedies provided by this act are cumulative and do
284	not affect the availability of remedies under other law, or the
285	recognition of a foreign support order on the basis of comity.
286	(2)  This act does not:
287	(a)  Provide the exclusive method of establishing or
288	enforcing a support order under the law of this state; or
289	(b)  Grant a tribunal of this state jurisdiction to render
290	judgment or issue an order relating to child custody or
291	visitation in a proceeding under this act.
292	Section 4.  Section 88.1041, Florida Statutes, is created
293	to read:
294	88.1041  Application to resident of foreign county and
295	foreign support proceeding.-
296	(1)  A tribunal of this state shall apply parts I through
297	VI of this chapter, and, as applicable, part VII of this
298	chapter, to a support proceeding involving:
299	(a)  A foreign support order;
300	(b)  A foreign tribunal; or
301	(c)  An obligee, obligor, or child residing in a foreign
302	country.
303	(2)  A tribunal of this state that is requested to
304	recognize and enforce a support order on the basis of comity may
305	apply the procedural and substantive provision of parts I
306	through VI of this chapter.
307	(3)  Part VII of this chapter applies only to a support
308	proceeding under the convention. In such a proceeding, if a
309	provision of part VII of this chapter is inconsistent with parts
310	I through VI of this chapter, part VII of this chapter controls.
311	Section 5.  Section 88.2011, Florida Statutes, is amended
312	to read:
313	88.2011  Bases for jurisdiction over nonresident.-
314	(1)  In a proceeding to establish, enforce, or modify a
315	support order or to determine parentage, a tribunal of this
316	state may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident
317	individual or the individual's guardian or conservator if:
318	(a)(1)  The individual is personally served with citation,
319	summons, or notice within this state;
320	(b)(2)  The individual submits to the jurisdiction of this
321	state by consent, by entering a general appearance, or by filing
322	a responsive document having the effect of waiving any contest
323	to personal jurisdiction;
324	(c)(3)  The individual resided with the child in this
325	state;
326	(d)(4)  The individual resided in this state and provided
327	prenatal expenses or support for the child;
328	(e)(5)  The child resides in this state as a result of the
329	acts or directives of the individual;
330	(f)(6)  The individual engaged in sexual intercourse in
331	this state and the child may have been conceived by that act of
332	intercourse;
333	(g)(7)  The individual asserted parentage in a tribunal or
334	in a putative father registry maintained in this state by the
335	appropriate agency; or
336	(h)(8)  There is any other basis consistent with the
337	constitutions of this state and the United States for the
338	exercise of personal jurisdiction.
339	(2)  The bases of personal jurisdiction set forth in
340	subsection (1) or in any other law of this state may not be used
341	to acquire personal jurisdiction for tribunal of this state to
342	modify a child support order of another state unless the
343	requirements of s. 88.6111 are met, or, in the case of a foreign
344	support order, unless the requirements of s. 88.6151 are met.
345	Section 6.  Section 88.2021, Florida Statutes, is amended
346	to read:
347	88.2021  Duration of personal Procedure when exercising
348	jurisdiction over nonresident.-Personal jurisdiction acquired by
349	a tribunal of this state in a proceeding under this act or other
350	law of this state relating to a support order continues so long
351	as a tribunal of this state has continuing, exclusive
352	jurisdiction to modify its order or continuing jurisdiction to
353	enforce its order as provided by ss. 88.2051, 88.2061, and
354	88.2111 A tribunal of this state exercising personal
355	jurisdiction over a nonresident under s. 88.2011 may apply s.
356	88.3161 (special rules of evidence and procedure) to receive
357	evidence from another state, and s. 88.3181 (assistance with
358	discovery) to obtain discovery through a tribunal of another
359	state. In all other respects, parts III through VII of this
360	chapter do not apply and the tribunal shall apply the procedural
361	and substantive law of this state, including the rules on choice
362	of law other than those established by this act.
363	Section 7.  Section 88.2031, Florida Statutes, is amended
364	to read:
365	88.2031  Initiating and responding tribunal of state.-Under
366	this act, a tribunal of this state may serve as an initiating
367	tribunal to forward proceedings to another state and as a
368	responding tribunal for proceedings initiated in another state
369	or a foreign country.
370	Section 8.  Section 88.2041, Florida Statutes, is amended
371	to read:
372	88.2041  Simultaneous proceedings in another state.-
373	(1)  A tribunal of this state may exercise jurisdiction to
374	establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading
375	is filed after a petition or comparable pleading is filed in
376	another state or a foreign country only if:
377	(a)  The petition or comparable pleading in this state is
378	filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the other
379	state or the foreign country for filing a responsive pleading
380	challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by the other state or
381	the foreign country;
382	(b)  The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of
383	jurisdiction in the other state or the foreign country; and
384	(c)  If relevant, this state is the home state of the
385	child.
386	(2)  A tribunal of this state may not exercise jurisdiction
387	to establish a support order if the petition or comparable
388	pleading is filed before a petition or comparable pleading is
389	filed in another state or a foreign country if:
390	(a)  The petition or comparable pleading in the other state
391	or the foreign country is filed before the expiration of the
392	time allowed in this state for filing a responsive pleading
393	challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by this state;
394	(b)  The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of
395	jurisdiction in this state; and
396	(c)  If relevant, the other state or the foreign country is
397	the home state of the child.
398	Section 9.  Section 88.2051, Florida Statutes, is amended
399	to read:
400	88.2051  Continuing exclusive jurisdiction.-
401	(1)  A tribunal of this state has issued issuing a support
402	order consistent with the law of this state has and shall
403	exercise continuing exclusive jurisdiction to modify over a
404	child support order if the order is the controlling order and:
405	(a)  At the time of the filing of a request for
406	modification, As long as this state is remains the residence of
407	the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose
408	benefit the support order is issued; or
409	(b)  Even if this state is not the residence of the
410	obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit
411	the support order is issued, the parties consent in a record or
412	in open court that the tribunal of this state may continue to
413	exercise jurisdiction to modify its order Until all of the
414	parties who are individuals have filed written consents with the
415	tribunal of this state for a tribunal of another state to modify
416	the order and assume continuing exclusive jurisdiction.
417	(2)  A tribunal of this state that has issued issuing a
418	child support order consistent with the law of this state may
419	not exercise its continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify
420	the order if: the order has been modified by a tribunal of
421	another state pursuant to this act or a law substantially
422	similar to this act.
423	(a)  All of the parties who are individuals file consent in
424	a record with the tribunal of this state that a tribunal of
425	another state that has jurisdiction over at least one of the
426	parties who is an individual or that is located in the state of
427	residence of the child may modify the order and assume
428	continuing, exclusive jurisdiction; or
429	(b)  Its order is not the controlling order.
430	(3)  If a child support order of this state is modified by
431	a tribunal of another state pursuant to this act or a law
432	substantially similar to this act, a tribunal of this state
433	loses its continuing exclusive jurisdiction with regard to
434	prospective enforcement of the order issued in this state, and
435	may only:
436	(a)  Enforce the order that was modified as to amounts
437	accruing before the modification;
438	(b)  Enforce nonmodifiable aspects of that order; and
439	(c)  Provide other appropriate relief for violations of
440	that order which occurred before the effective date of the
441	modification.
442	(3)(4)  If a tribunal of this state shall recognize the
443	continuing exclusive jurisdiction of a tribunal of another state
444	which has issued a child support order pursuant to this act or a
445	law substantially similar to this act which modifies a child
446	support order of a tribunal of this state, tribunals of this
447	state shall recognize the continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of
448	the tribunal of the other state.
449	(4)  A tribunal of this state that lacks continuing,
450	exclusive jurisdiction to modify a child support order may serve
451	as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state
452	to modify a support order issued in that state.
453	(5)  A temporary support order issued ex parte or pending
454	resolution of a jurisdictional conflict does not create
455	continuing exclusive jurisdiction in the issuing tribunal.
456	(6)  A tribunal of this state issuing a support order
457	consistent with the law of this state has continuing exclusive
458	jurisdiction over a spousal support order throughout the
459	existence of the support obligation. A tribunal of this state
460	may not modify a spousal support order issued by a tribunal of
461	another state having continuing exclusive jurisdiction over that
462	order under the law of that state.
463	Section 10.  Section 88.2061, Florida Statutes, is amended
464	to read:
465	88.2061  Enforcement and modification of support order by
466	tribunal having Continuing jurisdiction to enforce child support
467	order.-
468	(1)  A tribunal of this state that has issued a child
469	support order consistent with the law of this state may serve as
470	an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to
471	enforce: or modify a support order issued in that state.
472	(a)  The order if the order is the controlling order and
473	has not been modified by a tribunal of another state that
474	assumed jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family
475	Support Act; or
476	(b)  A money judgment for arrears of support and interest
477	on the order accrued before a determination that an order of a
478	tribunal of another state is the controlling order.
479	(2)  A tribunal of this state having continuing exclusive
480	jurisdiction over a support order may act as a responding
481	tribunal to enforce or modify the order. If a party subject to
482	the continuing exclusive jurisdiction of the tribunal no longer
483	resides in the issuing state, in subsequent proceedings the
484	tribunal may apply s. 88.3161 (special rules of evidence and
485	procedure) to receive evidence from another state and s. 88.3181
486	(assistance with discovery) to obtain discovery through a
487	tribunal of another state.
488	(3)  A tribunal of this state which lacks continuing
489	exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order may not
490	serve as a responding tribunal to modify a spousal support order
491	of another state.
492	Section 11.  Section 88.2071, Florida Statutes, is amended
493	to read:
494	88.2071  Determination Recognition of controlling child
495	support order.-
496	(1)  If a proceeding is brought under this act and only one
497	tribunal has issued a child support order, the order of that
498	tribunal controls and must be so recognized.
499	(2)  If a proceeding is brought under this act, and two or
500	more child support orders have been issued by tribunals of this
501	state or another state with regard to the same obligor and the
502	same child, a tribunal of this state having personal
503	jurisdiction over both the obligor and individual obligee shall
504	apply the following rules and by order shall determine in
505	determining which order controls to recognize for purposes of
506	continuing, exclusive jurisdiction:
507	(a)  If only one of the tribunals would have continuing,
508	exclusive jurisdiction under this act, the order of that
509	tribunal controls and must be so recognized.
510	(b)1.  If more than one of the tribunals would have
511	continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this act, an order
512	issued by a tribunal in the current home state of the child
513	controls; and must be so recognized, but
514	2.  If an order has not been issued in the current home
515	state of the child, the order most recently issued controls and
516	must be so recognized.
517	(c)  If none of the tribunals would have continuing,
518	exclusive jurisdiction under this act, the tribunal of this
519	state having jurisdiction over the parties shall issue a child
520	support order, which controls and must be so recognized.
521	(3)  If two or more child support orders have been issued
522	for the same obligor and the same child, upon request of a and
523	if the obligor or the individual obligee resides in this state,
524	a party who is an individual or a support enforcement agency,
525	may request a tribunal of this state having personal
526	jurisdiction over both the obligor and the obligee who is an
527	individual shall to determine which order controls and must be
528	so recognized under subsection (2). The request may be filed
529	with a registration for enforcement or registration for
530	modification pursuant to part VI of this chapter, or may be
531	filed as a separate proceeding must be accompanied by a
532	certified copy of every support order in effect. The requesting
533	party shall give notice of the request to each party whose
534	rights may be affected by the determination.
535	(4)  A request to determine which is the controlling order
536	must be accompanied by a copy of every child support order in
537	effect and the applicable record of payments. The requesting
538	party shall give notice of the request to each party whose
539	rights may be affected by the determination.
540	(5)(4)  The tribunal that issued the controlling order
541	under subsection (1), subsection (2), or subsection (3) is the
542	tribunal that has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to the
543	extent provided in ss. under s. 88.2051 and 88.2061.
544	(6)(5)  A tribunal of this state that which determines by
545	order which is the identity of the controlling order under
546	paragraph (2)(a), or paragraph (2)(b), or subsection (3) or that
547	which issues a new controlling order under paragraph (2)(c)
548	shall state in that order:
549	(a)  The basis upon which the tribunal made its
550	determination.
551	(b)  The amount of prospective support, if any.
552	(c)  The total amount of consolidated arrears and accrued
553	interest, if any, under all of the orders after all payments
554	made are credited as provided by s. 88.2091.
555	(7)(6)  Within 30 days after issuance of an order
556	determining which is the identity of the controlling order, the
557	party obtaining the order shall file a certified copy of it in
558	with each tribunal that issued or registered an earlier order of
559	child support. A party or support enforcement agency obtaining
560	who obtains the order that and fails to file a certified copy is
561	subject to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in which the
562	issue of failure to file arises. The failure to file does not
563	affect the validity or enforceability of the controlling order.
564	(8)  An order that has been determined to be the
565	controlling order, or a judgment for consolidated arrears of
566	support and interest, if any, made pursuant to this section must
567	be recognized in proceedings under this act.
568	Section 12.  Section 88.2081, Florida Statutes, is amended
569	to read:
570	88.2081  Multiple Child support orders for two or more
571	obligees.-In responding to multiple registrations, petitions, or
572	comparable pleadings for enforcement of two or more child
573	support orders in effect at the same time with regard to the
574	same obligor and different individual obligees, at least one of
575	which was issued by a tribunal of another state, a tribunal of
576	this state shall enforce those orders in the same manner as if
577	the multiple orders had been issued by a tribunal of this state.
578	Section 13.  Section 88.2091, Florida Statutes, is amended
579	to read:
580	88.2091  Credit for payments.-A tribunal of this state
581	shall credit amounts collected and credited for a particular
582	period pursuant to any child support order against the amount
583	owed for the same period under any other child support order for
584	support of the same child a support order issued by a tribunal
585	of another state must be credited against the amounts accruing
586	or accrued for the same period under any other child a support
587	order issued by the tribunal of this state, another state, or a
588	foreign country.
589	Section 14.  Section 88.2101, Florida Statutes, is created
590	to read:
591	88.2101  Application of act to nonresident subject to
592	personal jurisdiction.-A tribunal of this state exercising
593	personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a proceeding under
594	this act, under another law of this state relating to a support
595	order, or recognizing a foreign support order may receive
596	evidence from outside this state pursuant to s. 88.3161,
597	communicate with a tribunal outside this state pursuant to s.
598	88.3171, and obtain discovery through a tribunal outside this
599	state pursuant to s. 88.3181. In all other respects, parts III
600	through VI of this chapter do not apply, and the tribunal shall
601	apply the procedural and substantive law of this state.
602	Section 15.  Section 88.2111, Florida Statutes, is created
603	to read:
604	88.2111  Continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify
605	spousal support order.-
606	(1)  A tribunal of this state issuing a spousal support
607	order consistent with the law of this state has continuing,
608	exclusive jurisdiction to modify the spousal support order
609	throughout the existence of the obligation.
610	(2)  A tribunal of this state may not modify a spousal
611	support order issued by a tribunal of another state or foreign
612	country having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over that
613	order under the law of that state or foreign country.
614	(3)  A tribunal of this state that has continuing,
615	exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order may serve
616	as:
617	(a)  An initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of
618	another state to enforce the spousal support order issued in
619	this state; or
620	(b)  A responding tribunal to enforce or modify its own
621	spousal support order.
622	Section 16.  Section 88.3011, Florida Statutes, is amended
623	to read:
624	88.3011  Proceedings under this act.-
625	(1)  Except as otherwise provided in this act, this part
626	article applies to all proceedings under this act.
627	(2)  This act provides for the following proceedings:
628	(a)  Establishment of an order for spousal support or child
629	support pursuant to part IV;
630	(b)  Enforcement of a support order and income-withholding
631	order of another state without registration pursuant to part V;
632	(c)  Registration of an order for spousal support or child
633	support of another state for enforcement pursuant to part VI;
634	(d)  Modification of an order for child support or spousal
635	support issued by a tribunal of this state pursuant to ss.
636	88.2031-88.2061;
637	(e)  Registration of an order for child support of another
638	state for modification pursuant to part VI;
639	(f)  Determination of parentage pursuant to part VII; and
640	(g)  Assertion of jurisdiction over nonresidents pursuant
641	to ss. 88.2011-88.2021.
642	(2)(3)  An individual petitioner or a support enforcement
643	agency may initiate commence a proceeding authorized under this
644	act by filing a petition or a comparable pleading in an
645	initiating tribunal for forwarding to a responding tribunal or
646	by filing a petition or a comparable pleading directly in a
647	tribunal of another state or a foreign country which has or can
648	obtain personal jurisdiction over the respondent.
649	Section 17.  Section 88.3021, Florida Statutes, is amended
650	to read:
651	88.3021  Proceeding Action by minor parent.-A minor parent,
652	or a guardian or other legal representative of a minor parent,
653	may maintain a proceeding on behalf of or for the benefit of the
654	minor's child.
655	Section 18.  Section 88.3031, Florida Statutes, is amended
656	to read:
657	88.3031  Application of law of state.-Except as otherwise
658	provided in by this act, a responding tribunal of this state
659	shall:
660	(1)  Shall Apply the procedural and substantive law,
661	including the rules on choice of law, generally applicable to
662	similar proceedings originating in this state and may exercise
663	all powers and provide all remedies available in those
664	proceedings; and
665	(2)  Shall Determine the duty of support and the amount
666	payable in accordance with the law and support guidelines of
667	this state.
668	Section 19.  Section 88.3041, Florida Statutes, is amended
669	to read:
670	88.3041  Duties of initiating tribunal.-
671	(1)  Upon the filing of a petition or comparable pleading
672	authorized by this act, an initiating tribunal of this state
673	shall forward three copies of the petition and its accompanying
674	documents or a comparable pleading and its accompanying
675	documents:
676	(a)  To the responding tribunal or appropriate support
677	enforcement agency in the responding state; or
678	(b)  If the identity of the responding tribunal is unknown,
679	to the state information agency of the responding state with a
680	request that they be forwarded to the appropriate tribunal and
681	that receipt be acknowledged.
682	(2)  If requested by the responding tribunal a responding
683	state has not enacted this act or a law or procedure
684	substantially similar to this act, a tribunal of this state
685	shall may issue a certificate or other document and make
686	findings required by the law of the responding state. If the
687	responding tribunal state is in a foreign country jurisdiction,
688	upon request the tribunal of this state shall may specify the
689	amount of support sought, convert that amount into the
690	equivalent amount in the foreign currency under applicable
691	official or market exchange rate as publicly reported, and
692	provide any other documents necessary to satisfy the
693	requirements of the responding foreign tribunal state.
694	Section 20.  Section 88.3051, Florida Statutes, is amended
695	to read:
696	88.3051  Duties and powers of responding tribunal.-
697	(1)  When a responding tribunal of this state receives a
698	petition or comparable pleading from an initiating tribunal or
699	directly pursuant to s. 88.3011(2)(3), it shall cause the
700	petition or comparable pleading to be filed and notify the
701	petitioner where and when it was filed.
702	(2)  A responding tribunal of this state, to the extent not
703	prohibited otherwise authorized by other law, may do one or more
704	of the following:
705	(a)  Establish Issue or enforce a support order, modify a
706	child support order, determine the controlling child support
707	order, or render a judgment to determine parentage of a child.
708	(b)  Order an obligor to comply with a support order,
709	specifying the amount and the manner of compliance.
710	(c)  Order income withholding.
711	(d)  Determine the amount of any arrearages, and specify a
712	method of payment.
713	(e)  Enforce orders by civil or criminal contempt, or both.
714	(f)  Set aside property for satisfaction of the support
715	order.
716	(g)  Place liens and order execution on the obligor's
717	property.
718	(h)  Order an obligor to keep the tribunal informed of the
719	obligor's current residential address, telephone number,
720	employer, address of employment, and telephone number at the
721	place of employment.
722	(i)  Issue a bench warrant, capias, or writ of bodily
723	attachment for an obligor who has failed after proper notice to
724	appear at a hearing ordered by the tribunal and enter the bench
725	warrant, capias, or writ of bodily attachment in any local and
726	state computer systems for criminal warrants.
727	(j)  Order the obligor to seek appropriate employment by
728	specified methods.
729	(k)  Award reasonable attorney's fees and other fees and
730	costs.
731	(l)  Grant any other available remedy.
732	(3)  A responding tribunal of this state shall include in a
733	support order issued under this act, or in the documents
734	accompanying the order, the calculations on which the support
735	order is based.
736	(4)  A responding tribunal of this state may not condition
737	the payment of a support order issued under this act upon
738	compliance by a party with provisions for visitation.
739	(5)  If a responding tribunal of this state issues an order
740	under this act, the tribunal shall send a copy of the order to
741	the petitioner and the respondent and to the initiating
742	tribunal, if any.
743	(6)  If requested to enforce a support order, arrears, or
744	judgment, or modify a support order stated in a foreign
745	currency, a responding tribunal of this state shall convert the
746	amount stated in the foreign currency to the equivalent amount
747	in dollars under the applicable official or market exchange rate
748	as publicly reported.
749	Section 21.  Section 88.3061, Florida Statutes, is amended
750	to read:
751	88.3061  Inappropriate tribunal.-If a petition or
752	comparable pleading is received by an inappropriate tribunal of
753	this state, the tribunal it shall forward the pleading and
754	accompanying documents to an appropriate tribunal of in this
755	state or another state and notify the petitioner where and when
756	the pleading was sent.
757	Section 22.  Section 88.3071, Florida Statutes, is amended
758	to read:
759	88.3071  Duties of support enforcement agency.-
760	(1)  In a proceeding under this act, a support enforcement
761	agency of this state, upon request:
762	(a)  Shall provide services to a petitioner residing in a
763	state;
764	(b)  Shall provide services to a petitioner requesting
765	services through a central authority of a foreign country as
766	described in s. 88.1011(5)(a) or s. 88.1011(5)(d); and
767	(c)  May provide services to a petitioner who is an
768	individual not residing in a state A support enforcement agency
769	of this state, upon request, shall provide services to a
770	petitioner in a proceeding under this act.
771	(2)  A support enforcement agency that is providing
772	services to the petitioner as appropriate shall:
773	(a)  Take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate
774	tribunal in this state, or another state, or a foreign country
775	to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent.
776	(b)  Request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time,
777	and place for a hearing.
778	(c)  Make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant
779	information, including information as to income and property of
780	the parties.
781	(d)  Within 10 days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and
782	legal holidays, after receipt of a written notice from an
783	initiating, responding, or registering tribunal, send a copy of
784	the notice to the petitioner.
785	(e)  Within 10 days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and
786	legal holidays, after receipt of a written communication from
787	the respondent or the respondent's attorney, send a copy of the
788	communication to the petitioner.
789	(f)  Notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the
790	respondent cannot be obtained.
791	(3)  A support enforcement agency of this state that
792	requests registration of a child support order in this state for
793	enforcement or for modification shall make reasonable efforts:
794	(a)  To ensure that the order to be registered is the
795	controlling order; or
796	(b)  If two or more child support orders exist and the
797	identity of the controlling order has not been determined, to
798	ensure that a request for such a determination is made in a
799	tribunal having jurisdiction to do so.
800	(4)  A support enforcement agency of this state that
801	requests registration and enforcement of a support order,
802	arrears, or judgment stated in a foreign currency shall convert
803	the amounts stated in the foreign currency into the equivalent
804	amounts in dollars under the applicable official or market
805	exchange rate as publicly reported.
806	(5)  A support enforcement agency of this state shall issue
807	or request a tribunal of this state to issue a child support
808	order and an income-withholding order that redirect payment of
809	current support, arrears, and interest if requested to do so by
810	a support enforcement agency of another state pursuant to s.
811	88.3191.
812	(6)(3)  This act does not create or negate a relationship
813	of attorney and client or other fiduciary relationship between a
814	support enforcement agency or the attorney for the agency and
815	the individual being assisted by the agency.
816	Section 23.  Section 88.3081, Florida Statutes, is amended
817	to read:
818	88.3081  Duty of Governor and Cabinet.-
819	(1)  If the Governor and Cabinet determine that the support
820	enforcement agency is neglecting or refusing to provide services
821	to an individual, the Governor and Cabinet may order the agency
822	to perform its duties under this act or may provide those
823	services directly to the individual.
824	(2)  The Governor and Cabinet may determine that a foreign
825	country has established a reciprocal arrangement for child
826	support with this state and take appropriate action for
827	notification of the determination.
828	Section 24.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
829	88.3101, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
830	88.3101  Duties of state information agency.-
831	(2)  The state information agency shall:
832	(c)  Forward to the appropriate tribunal in the place in
833	this state in which the individual obligee who is an individual
834	or the obligor resides, or in which the obligor's property is
835	believed to be located, all documents concerning a proceeding
836	under this act received from another state or a foreign country
837	an initiating tribunal or the state information agency of the
838	initiating state.
839	Section 25.  Subsection (1) of section 88.3111, Florida
840	Statutes, is amended to read:
841	88.3111  Pleadings and accompanying documents.-
842	(1)  In a proceeding under this act, a petitioner seeking
843	to establish or modify a support order, or to determine
844	parentage of a child, or to register and modify a support order
845	of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country in a
846	proceeding under this act must file a verify the petition or
847	comparable pleading. Unless otherwise ordered under s. 88.3121
848	(nondisclosure of information in exceptional circumstances), the
849	petition or comparable pleading or the documents accompanying
850	either the petition or comparable pleading must provide, so far
851	as known, the name, residential address, and social security
852	numbers of the obligor and the obligee or the parent and alleged
853	parent, and the name, sex, residential address, social security
854	number, and date of birth of each child for whose benefit whom
855	support is sought or whose parentage is to be determined. Unless
856	filed at the time of registration, the petition must be
857	accompanied by a certified copy of any support order known to
858	have been issued by another tribunal in effect. The petition may
859	include any other information that may assist in locating or
860	identifying the respondent.
861	Section 26.  Section 88.3121, Florida Statutes, is amended
862	to read:
863	88.3121  Nondisclosure of information in exceptional
864	circumstances.-If a party alleges in an affidavit or a pleading
865	under oath that the health, safety, or liberty of a party or
866	child would be jeopardized by disclosure of specific identifying
867	information, that information must be sealed and may not be
868	disclosed to the other party or the public. After a hearing in
869	which a tribunal takes into consideration the health, safety, or
870	liberty of the party or child, the tribunal may order disclosure
871	of information that the tribunal determines to be in the
872	interest of justice Upon a finding, which may be made ex parte,
873	that the health, safety, or liberty of a party or child would be
874	unreasonably put at risk by the disclosure of identifying
875	information, or if an existing order so provides, a tribunal
876	shall order that the address of the child or party or other
877	identifying information not be disclosed in a pleading or other
878	document filed in a proceeding under this act.
879	Section 27.  Subsection (2) of section 88.3131, Florida
880	Statutes, is amended to read:
881	88.3131  Costs and fees.-
882	(2)  If an obligee prevails, a responding tribunal of this
883	state may assess against an obligor filing fees, reasonable
884	attorney's fees, other costs, and necessary travel and other
885	reasonable expenses incurred by the obligee and the obligee's
886	witnesses. The tribunal may not assess fees, costs, or expenses
887	against the obligee or the support enforcement agency of either
888	the initiating or the responding state or foreign country,
889	except as provided by other law. Attorney's fees may be taxed as
890	costs, and may be ordered paid directly to the attorney, who may
891	enforce the order in the attorney's own name. Payment of support
892	owed to the obligee has priority over fees, costs, and expenses.
893	Section 28.  Subsections (1) and (3) of section 88.3141,
894	Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
895	88.3141  Limited immunity of petitioner.-
896	(1)  Participation by a petitioner in a proceeding under
897	this act before a responding tribunal, whether in person, by
898	private attorney, or through services provided by the support
899	enforcement agency, does not confer personal jurisdiction over
900	the petitioner in another proceeding.
901	(3)  The immunity granted by this section does not extend
902	to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to a proceeding
903	under this act committed by a party while physically present in
904	this state to participate in the proceeding.
905	Section 29.  Section 88.3161, Florida Statutes, is amended
906	to read:
907	88.3161  Special rules of evidence and procedure.-
908	(1)  The physical presence of a nonresident party who is an
909	individual the petitioner in a responding tribunal of this state
910	is not required for the establishment, enforcement, or
911	modification of a support order or the rendition of a judgment
912	determining parentage of a child.
913	(2)  An A verified petition or other comparable pleading,
914	affidavit, a document substantially complying with federally
915	mandated forms, or and a document incorporated by reference in
916	any of them, which would not be excluded under the hearsay rule
917	if given in person, is admissible in evidence if given under
918	penalty of perjury oath by a party or witness residing outside
919	this in another state.
920	(3)  A copy of the record of child support payments
921	certified as a true copy of the original by the custodian of the
922	record may be forwarded to a responding tribunal. The copy is
923	evidence of facts asserted in it, and is admissible to show
924	whether payments were made.
925	(4)  Copies of bills for testing for parentage of a child,
926	and for prenatal and postnatal health care of the mother and
927	child, furnished to the adverse party at least 10 days before
928	trial, are admissible in evidence to prove the amount of the
929	charges billed and that the charges were reasonable, necessary,
930	and customary.
931	(5)  Documentary evidence transmitted from outside this
932	another state to a tribunal of this state by telephone,
933	telecopier, or other electronic means that do not provide an
934	original record writing may not be excluded from evidence on an
935	objection based on the means of transmission.
936	(6)  In a proceeding under this act, a tribunal of this
937	state shall may permit a party or witness residing outside this
938	in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone,
939	audiovisual means, or other electronic means at a designated
940	tribunal or other location in that state. A tribunal of this
941	state shall cooperate with other tribunals of other states in
942	designating an appropriate location for the deposition or
943	testimony.
944	(7)  If a party called to testify at a civil hearing
945	refuses to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self-
946	incriminating, the trier of fact may draw an adverse inference
947	from the refusal.
948	(8)  A privilege against disclosure of communications
949	between spouses does not apply in a proceeding under this act.
950	(9)  The defense of immunity based on the relationship of
951	husband and wife or parent and child does not apply in a
952	proceeding under this act.
953	(10)  A voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, certified as
954	a true copy, is admissible to establish parentage of a child.
955	Section 30.  Section 88.3171, Florida Statutes, is amended
956	to read:
957	88.3171  Communications between tribunals.-A tribunal of
958	this state may communicate with a tribunal outside this of
959	another state in a record writing, or by telephone, electronic
960	mail, or other means, to obtain information concerning the laws
961	of that state, the legal effect of a judgment, decree, or order
962	of that tribunal, and the status of a proceeding in the other
963	state. A tribunal of this state may furnish similar information
964	by similar means to a tribunal outside this of another state.
965	Section 31.  Section 88.3181, Florida Statutes, is amended
966	to read:
967	88.3181  Assistance with discovery.-A tribunal of this
968	state may:
969	(1)  Request a tribunal outside this of another state to
970	assist in obtaining discovery.
971	(2)  Upon request, compel a person over which whom it has
972	jurisdiction to respond to a discovery order issued by a
973	tribunal outside this of another state.
974	Section 32.  Section 88.3191, Florida Statutes, is amended
975	to read:
976	88.3191  Receipt and disbursement of payments.-
977	(1)  A support enforcement agency or tribunal of this state
978	shall disburse promptly any amounts received pursuant to a
979	support order, as directed by the order. The agency or tribunal
980	shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of another state
981	or a foreign country a certified statement by the custodian of
982	the record of the amounts and dates of all payments received.
983	(2)  If neither the obligor, nor the obligee who is an
984	individual, nor the child resides in this state, upon request
985	from the support enforcement agency of this state or another
986	state, the support enforcement agency of this state or a
987	tribunal of this state shall:
988	(a)  Direct that the support payment be made to the support
989	enforcement agency in the state in which the obligee is
990	receiving services; and
991	(b)  Issue and send to the obligor's employer a conforming
992	income-withholding order or an administrative notice of change
993	of payee, reflecting the redirected payments.
994	(3)  The support enforcement agency of this state receiving
995	redirected payments from another state pursuant to a law similar
996	to subsection (2) shall furnish to a requesting party or
997	tribunal of the other state a certified statement by the
998	custodian of the record of the amount and dates of all payments
999	received.
1000	Section 33.  Section 88.4011, Florida Statutes, is amended
1001	to read:
1002	88.4011  Establishment of Petition to establish support
1003	order.-
1004	(1)  If a support order entitled to recognition under this
1005	act has not been issued, a responding tribunal of this state
1006	with personal jurisdiction over the parties may issue a support
1007	order if:
1008	(a)  The individual seeking the order resides in another
1009	state; or
1010	(b)  The support enforcement agency seeking the order is
1011	located in another state.
1012	(2)  The tribunal may issue a temporary child support order
1013	if the tribunal determines that such an order is appropriate and
1014	the individual ordered to pay is:
1015	(a)  A presumed father of the child;
1016	(b)  Petitioning to have his paternity adjudicated;
1017	(c)  Identified as the father of the child through genetic
1018	testing;
1019	(d)  An alleged father who has declined to submit to
1020	genetic testing;
1021	(e)  Shown by clear and convincing evidence to be the
1022	father of the child;
1023	(f)  An acknowledged father as provided in s. 382.013, s.
1024	382.016, or s. 742.10;
1025	(g)  The mother of the child; or
1026	(h)  An individual who has been ordered to pay child
1027	support in a previous proceeding and the order has not been
1028	reversed or vacated
1029	(a)  The respondent has signed a verified statement
1030	acknowledging parentage;
1031	(b)  The respondent has been determined by or pursuant to
1032	law to be the parent; or
1033	(c)  There is other clear and convincing evidence that the
1034	respondent is the child's parent.
1035	(3)  Upon finding, after notice and opportunity to be
1036	heard, that an obligor owes a duty of support, the tribunal
1037	shall issue a support order directed to the obligor and may
1038	issue other orders pursuant to s. 88.3051.
1039	Section 34.  The Division of Statutory Revision is directed
1040	to redesignate part V of chapter 88, Florida Statutes, as
1041	"ENFORCEMENT OF SUPPORT ORDER OF ANOTHER STATE WITHOUT
1042	REGISTRATION."
1043	Section 35.  Section 88.5011, Florida Statutes, is amended
1044	to read:
1045	88.5011  Employer's receipt of income-withholding order of
1046	another state.-An income-withholding order issued in another
1047	state may be sent by or on behalf of the obligee, or by the
1048	support enforcement agency, to the person or entity defined as
1049	the obligor's employer under the income deduction law of this
1050	state or payor as defined by s. 61.046, without first filing a
1051	petition or comparable pleading or registering the order with a
1052	tribunal of this state.
1053	Section 36.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
1054	88.50211, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1055	88.50211  Employer's compliance with income-withholding
1056	order of another state.-
1057	(3)  Except as otherwise provided by subsection (4) and s.
1058	88.5031, the employer shall withhold and distribute the funds as
1059	directed in the withholding order by complying with the terms of
1060	the order which specify:
1061	(b)  The person or agency designated to receive payments
1062	and the address to which the payments are to be forwarded;
1063	Section 37.  Section 88.5031, Florida Statutes, is amended
1064	to read:
1065	88.5031  Employer's compliance with two or more multiple
1066	income-withholding orders.-If the obligor's employer receives
1067	two or more multiple income-withholding orders with respect to
1068	the earnings of the same obligor, the employer satisfies the
1069	terms of the multiple orders if the employer complies with the
1070	law of the state of the obligor's principal place of employment
1071	to establish the priorities for withholding and allocating
1072	income withheld for two or more multiple child support obligees.
1073	Section 38.  Section 88.5041, Florida Statutes, is amended
1074	to read:
1075	88.5041  Immunity from civil liability.-An employer that
1076	who complies with an income-withholding order issued in another
1077	state in accordance with this article is not subject to civil
1078	liability to an individual or agency with regard to the
1079	employer's withholding of child support from the obligor's
1080	income.
1081	Section 39.  Section 88.5051, Florida Statutes, is amended
1082	to read:
1083	88.5051  Penalties for noncompliance.-An employer that who
1084	willfully fails to comply with an income-withholding order
1085	issued by another state and received for enforcement is subject
1086	to the same penalties that may be imposed for noncompliance with
1087	an order issued by a tribunal of this state.
1088	Section 40.  Section 88.5061, Florida Statutes, is amended
1089	to read:
1090	88.5061  Contest by obligor.-
1091	(1)  An obligor may contest the validity or enforcement of
1092	an income-withholding order issued in another state and received
1093	directly by an employer in this state by registering the order
1094	in a tribunal of this state and filing a contest to that order
1095	as provided in part VI of this chapter, or otherwise contesting
1096	the order in the same manner as if the order had been issued by
1097	a tribunal of this state. Section 88.6041, choice of law,
1098	applies to the contest.
1099	(2)  The obligor shall give notice of the contest to:
1100	(a)  A support enforcement agency providing services to the
1101	obligee;
1102	(b)  Each employer that has directly received an income-
1103	withholding order relating to the obligor; and
1104	(c)  The person or agency designated to receive payments in
1105	the income-withholding order, or if no person or agency is
1106	designated, to the obligee.
1107	Section 41.  Subsection (1) of section 88.5071, Florida
1108	Statutes, is amended to read:
1109	88.5071  Administrative enforcement of orders.-
1110	(1)  A party or support enforcement agency seeking to
1111	enforce a support order or an income-withholding order, or both,
1112	issued in by a tribunal of another state or a foreign support
1113	order may send the documents required for registering the order
1114	to a support enforcement agency of this state.
1115	Section 42.  (1)  The Division of Statutory Revision is
1116	directed to redesignate part VI of chapter 88, Florida Statutes,
1117	as "REGISTRATION, ENFORCEMENT, AND MODIFICATION OF SUPPORT
1118	ORDER."
1119	(2)  The Division of Statutory Revision is directed to
1120	divide part VI of chapter 88, Florida Statutes, into subpart A,
1121	consisting of ss. 88.6011-88.6041, Florida Statutes, to be
1122	entitled "Registration and Enforcement of Support Order;"
1123	subpart B, consisting of ss. 88.6051-88.6081, Florida Statutes,
1124	to be entitled "Contest of Validity or Enforcement;" subpart C,
1125	consisting of ss. 88.6091-88.6141, Florida Statutes, to be
1126	entitled "Registration and Modification of Child Support Order
1127	of Another State;" and subpart D, consisting of ss. 88.6151 and
1128	88.6161, Florida Statutes, to be entitled "Registration and
1129	Modification of Foreign Child Support Order."
1130	Section 43.  Section 88.6011, Florida Statutes, is amended
1131	to read:
1132	88.6011  Registration of order for enforcement.-A support
1133	order or an income-withholding order issued in by a tribunal of
1134	another state or a foreign support order may be registered in
1135	this state for enforcement.
1136	Section 44.  Section 88.6021, Florida Statutes, is amended
1137	to read:
1138	88.6021  Procedure to register order for enforcement.-
1139	(1)  Except as otherwise provided in s. 88.7061, a support
1140	order or income-withholding order of another state or a foreign
1141	support order may be registered in this state by sending the
1142	following records documents and information to the appropriate
1143	tribunal in this state:
1144	(a)  A letter of transmittal to the tribunal requesting
1145	registration and enforcement.
1146	(b)  Two copies, including one certified copy, of the order
1147	all orders to be registered, including any modification of the
1148	an order.
1149	(c)  A sworn statement by the person requesting party
1150	seeking registration or a certified statement by the custodian
1151	of the records showing the amount of any arrearage.
1152	(d)  The name of the obligor and, if known:
1153	1.  The obligor's address and social security number.
1154	2.  The name and address of the obligor's employer and any
1155	other source of income of the obligor.
1156	3.  A description and the location of property of the
1157	obligor in this state not exempt from execution.
1158	(e)  Except as otherwise provided in s. 88.3121, the name
1159	and address of the obligee and, if applicable, the agency or
1160	person to whom support payments are to be remitted.
1161	(2)  On receipt of a request for registration, the
1162	registering tribunal shall cause the order to be filed as an
1163	order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign support order
1164	a foreign judgment, together with one copy of the documents and
1165	information, regardless of their form.
1166	(3)  A petition or comparable pleading seeking a remedy
1167	that must be affirmatively sought under other law of this state
1168	may be filed at the same time as the request for registration or
1169	later. The pleading must specify the grounds for the remedy
1170	sought.
1171	(4)  If two or more orders are in effect, the person
1172	requesting registration shall:
1173	(a)  Furnish to the tribunal a copy of every support order
1174	asserted to be in effect in addition to the documents specified
1175	in this section;
1176	(b)  Specify the order alleged to be the controlling order,
1177	if any; and
1178	(c)  Specify the amount of consolidated arrears, if any.
1179	(5)  A request for a determination of which is the
1180	controlling order may be filed separately or with a request for
1181	registration and enforcement or for registration and
1182	modification. The person requesting registration shall give
1183	notice of the request to each party whose rights may be affected
1184	by the determination.
1185	Section 45.  Section 88.6031, Florida Statutes, is amended
1186	to read:
1187	88.6031  Effect of registration for enforcement.-
1188	(1)  A support order or income-withholding order issued in
1189	another state or a foreign support order is registered when the
1190	order is filed in the registering tribunal of this state.
1191	(2)  A registered support order issued in another state or
1192	a foreign country is enforceable in the same manner and is
1193	subject to the same procedures as an order issued by a tribunal
1194	of this state.
1195	(3)  Except as otherwise provided in this act article, a
1196	tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce, but may not
1197	modify, a registered support order if the issuing tribunal had
1198	jurisdiction.
1199	Section 46.  Section 88.6041, Florida Statutes, is amended
1200	to read:
1201	88.6041  Choice of law.-
1202	(1)  Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4), the
1203	law of the issuing state or foreign country governs:
1204	(a)  The nature, extent, amount, and duration of current
1205	payments under a registered support order; and other obligations
1206	of support and
1207	(b)  The computation and payment of arrearages and accrual
1208	of interest on the arrearages under the order; and
1209	(c)  The existence and satisfaction of other obligations
1210	under the support order.
1211	(2)  In a proceeding for arrears under a registered support
1212	order arrearages, the statute of limitation under the laws of
1213	this state or of the issuing state or foreign country, whichever
1214	is longer, applies.
1215	(3)  A responding tribunal of this state shall apply the
1216	procedures and remedies of this state to enforce current support
1217	and collect arrears and interest due on a support order of
1218	another state or foreign country registered in this state.
1219	(4)  After a tribunal of this or another state determines
1220	which is the controlling order and issues an order consolidating
1221	arrears, if any, a tribunal of this state shall prospectively
1222	apply the law of the state or foreign country issuing the
1223	controlling order, including its law on interest on arrears, on
1224	current and future support, and on consolidated arrears.
1225	Section 47.  Section 88.6051, Florida Statutes, is amended
1226	to read:
1227	88.6051  Notice of registration of order.-
1228	(1)  When a support order or income-withholding order
1229	issued in another state or a foreign support order is
1230	registered, the registering tribunal of this state shall notify
1231	the nonregistering party. The notice must be accompanied by a
1232	copy of the registered order and the documents and relevant
1233	information accompanying the order.
1234	(2)  A The notice must inform the nonregistering party:
1235	(a)  That a registered order is enforceable as of the date
1236	of registration in the same manner as an order issued by a
1237	tribunal of this state.
1238	(b)  That a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement
1239	of the registered order must be requested within 20 days after
1240	the date of mailing or personal service of the notice, unless
1241	the registered order is under s. 88.7071.
1242	(c)  That failure to contest the validity or enforcement of
1243	the registered order in a timely manner will result in
1244	confirmation of the order and enforcement of the order and the
1245	alleged arrearages and precludes further contest of that order
1246	with respect to any matter that could have been asserted.
1247	(d)  Of the amount of any alleged arrearages.
1248	(3)  If the registering party asserts that two or more
1249	orders are in effect, a notice must also:
1250	(a)  Identify the two or more orders and the order alleged
1251	by the registering party to be the controlling order and the
1252	consolidated arrears, if any;
1253	(b)  Notify the nonregistering party of the right to a
1254	determination of which is the controlling order;
1255	(c)  State that the procedures provided in subsection (2)
1256	apply to the determination of which is the controlling order;
1257	and
1258	(d)  State that failure to contest the validity or
1259	enforcement of the order alleged to be the controlling order in
1260	a timely manner may result in confirmation that the order is the
1261	controlling order.
1262	(4)(3)  Upon registration of an income-withholding order
1263	for enforcement, the support enforcement agency or the
1264	registering tribunal shall notify the obligor's employer
1265	pursuant to chapter 61 or other income deduction law of this
1266	state.
1267	Section 48.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section 88.6061,
1268	Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1269	88.6061  Procedure to contest validity or enforcement of
1270	registered order.-
1271	(1)  A nonregistering party seeking to contest the validity
1272	or enforcement of a registered order in this state shall request
1273	a hearing within the time required by s. 88.6051 20 days after
1274	notice of the registration. The nonregistering party may seek to
1275	vacate the registration, to assert any defense to an allegation
1276	of noncompliance with the registered order, or to contest the
1277	remedies being sought or the amount of any alleged arrearages
1278	pursuant to s. 88.6071.
1279	(2)  If the nonregistering party fails to contest the
1280	validity or enforcement of the registered support order in a
1281	timely manner, the order is confirmed by operation of law.
1282	Section 49.  Section 88.6071, Florida Statutes, is amended
1283	to read:
1284	88.6071  Contest of registration or enforcement.-
1285	(1)  A party contesting the validity or enforcement of a
1286	registered support order or seeking to vacate the registration
1287	has the burden of proving one or more of the following defenses:
1288	(a)  The issuing tribunal lacked personal jurisdiction over
1289	the contesting party;
1290	(b)  The order was obtained by fraud;
1291	(c)  The order has been vacated, suspended, or modified by
1292	a later order;
1293	(d)  The issuing tribunal has stayed the order pending
1294	appeal;
1295	(e)  There is a defense under the law of this state to the
1296	remedy sought;
1297	(f)  Full or partial payment has been made; or
1298	(g)  The statute of limitation under s. 88.6041 precludes
1299	enforcement of some or all of the alleged arrearages; or
1300	(h)  The alleged controlling order is not the controlling
1301	order.
1302	(2)  If a party presents evidence establishing a full or
1303	partial defense under subsection (1), a tribunal may stay
1304	enforcement of a the registered support order, continue the
1305	proceeding to permit production of additional relevant evidence,
1306	and issue other appropriate orders. An uncontested portion of
1307	the registered support order may be enforced by all remedies
1308	available under the law of this state.
1309	(3)  If the contesting party does not establish a defense
1310	under subsection (1) to the validity or enforcement of a
1311	registered support the order, the registering tribunal shall
1312	issue an order confirming the order.
1313	Section 50.  Section 88.6081, Florida Statutes, is amended
1314	to read:
1315	88.6081  Confirmed order.-Confirmation of a registered
1316	support order, whether by operation of law or after notice and
1317	hearing, precludes further contest of the order with respect to
1318	any matter that could have been asserted at the time of
1319	registration.
1320	Section 51.  Section 88.6091, Florida Statutes, is amended
1321	to read:
1322	88.6091  Procedure to register child support order of
1323	another state for modification.-A party or support enforcement
1324	agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a child
1325	support order issued in another state shall register that order
1326	in this state in the same manner provided in ss. 88.6011-88.6081
1327	88.6011-88.6041 if the order has not been registered. A petition
1328	for modification may be filed at the same time as a request for
1329	registration, or later. The pleading must specify the grounds
1330	for modification.
1331	Section 52.  Section 88.6111, Florida Statutes, is amended
1332	to read:
1333	88.6111  Modification of child support order of another
1334	state.-
1335	(1)  If s. 88.6131 does not apply, upon petition, a
1336	tribunal of this state may modify After a child support order
1337	issued in another state which is has been registered in this
1338	state, the responding tribunal of this state may modify that
1339	order only if, s. 88.6131 does not apply and after notice and
1340	hearing, the tribunal it finds that:
1341	(a)  The following requirements are met:
1342	1.  Neither the child, nor the individual obligee who is an
1343	individual, nor and the obligor resides do not reside in the
1344	issuing state;
1345	2.  A petitioner who is a nonresident of this state seeks
1346	modification; and
1347	3.  The respondent is subject to the personal jurisdiction
1348	of the tribunal of this state; or
1349	(b)  This state is the state of residence of the child, or
1350	a party who is an individual, is subject to the personal
1351	jurisdiction of the tribunal of this state and all of the
1352	parties who are individuals have filed written consents in a
1353	record in the issuing tribunal for a tribunal of this state to
1354	modify the support order and assume continuing exclusive
1355	jurisdiction over the order. However, if the issuing state is a
1356	foreign jurisdiction that has not enacted a law or established
1357	procedures substantially similar to the procedures under this
1358	act, the consent otherwise required of an individual residing in
1359	this state is not required for the tribunal to assume
1360	jurisdiction to modify the child support order.
1361	(2)  Modification of a registered child support order is
1362	subject to the same requirements, procedures, and defenses that
1363	apply to the modification of an order issued by a tribunal of
1364	this state and the order may be enforced and satisfied in the
1365	same manner.
1366	(3)  A tribunal of this state may not modify any aspect of
1367	a child support order that may not be modified under the law of
1368	the issuing state, including the duration of the obligation of
1369	support. If two or more tribunals have issued child support
1370	orders for the same obligor and same child, the order that
1371	controls and must be so recognized under s. 88.2071 establishes
1372	the aspects of the support order which are nonmodifiable.
1373	(4)  In a proceeding to modify a child support order, the
1374	law of the state that is determined to have issued the initial
1375	controlling order governs the duration of the obligation of
1376	support. The obligor's fulfillment of the duty of support
1377	established by that order precludes imposition of a further
1378	obligation of support by a tribunal of this state.
1379	(5)(4)  On issuance of an order by a tribunal of this state
1380	modifying a child support order issued in another state, the a
1381	tribunal of this state becomes the tribunal of continuing
1382	exclusive jurisdiction.
1383	(6)  Notwithstanding subsections (1)-(5) and s. 88.2011(2),
1384	a tribunal of this state retains jurisdiction to modify an order
1385	issued by a tribunal of this state if:
1386	(a)  One party resides in another state; and
1387	(b)  The other party resides outside the United States.
1388	Section 53.  Section 88.6121, Florida Statutes, is amended
1389	to read:
1390	88.6121  Recognition of order modified in another state.-If
1391	a child support order issued by a tribunal of this state is
1392	modified shall recognize a modification of its earlier child
1393	support order by a tribunal of another state which assumed
1394	jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support
1395	Act, a tribunal of this state this act or a law substantially
1396	similar to this act and, upon request, except as otherwise
1397	provided in this act, shall:
1398	(1)  May enforce the order that was modified only as to
1399	arrears and interest amounts accruing before the modification.
1400	(2)  Enforce only nonmodifiable aspects of that order.
1401	(2)(3)  May provide other appropriate relief only for
1402	violations of its that order which occurred before the effective
1403	date of the modification.
1404	(3)(4)  Shall recognize the modifying order of the other
1405	state, upon registration, for the purpose of enforcement.
1406	Section 54.  Section 88.6151, Florida Statutes, is created
1407	to read:
1408	88.6151  Jurisdiction to modify child support order of
1409	foreign county.-
1410	(1)  Except as otherwise provided in s. 88.7111, if a
1411	foreign country lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to
1412	modify its child support order pursuant to its laws, a tribunal
1413	of this state may assume jurisdiction to modify the child
1414	support order and bind all individuals subject to the personal
1415	jurisdiction of the tribunal whether the consent to modification
1416	of a child support order otherwise required of the individual
1417	pursuant to s. 88.6111 has been given or whether the individual
1418	seeking modification is a resident of this state or of the
1419	foreign country.
1420	(2)  An order issued by a tribunal of this state modifying
1421	a foreign child support order pursuant to this section is the
1422	controlling order.
1423	Section 55.  Section 88.6161, Florida Statutes, is created
1424	to read:
1425	88.6161  Procedure to register child support order of
1426	foreign country for modification.-A party or support enforcement
1427	agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a foreign
1428	child support order not under the convention may register that
1429	order in this state under ss. 88.6011-88.6081 if the order has
1430	not been registered. A petition for modification may be filed at
1431	the same time as a request for registration, or at another time.
1432	The petition must specify the grounds for modification.
1433	Section 56.  The Division of Statutory Revision is directed
1434	to redesignate part VII of chapter 88, Florida Statutes, as
1435	"SUPPORT PROCEEDING UNDER CONVENTION."
1436	Section 57.  Section 88.7011, Florida Statutes, is
1437	repealed.
1438	Section 58.  Section 88.70111, Florida Statutes, is created
1439	to read:
1440	88.70111  Definitions.-As used in this part, the term:
1441	(1)  "Application" means a request under the convention by
1442	an obligee or obligor, or on behalf of a child, made through a
1443	central authority for assistance from another central authority.
1444	(2)  "Central authority" means the entity designated by the
1445	United States or a foreign country described in s. 88.102(5)(d)
1446	to perform the functions specified in the convention.
1447	(3)  "Convention support order" means a support order of a
1448	tribunal of a foreign country described in s. 88.102(5)(d).
1449	(4)  "Direct request" means a petition filed by an
1450	individual in a tribunal of this state in a proceeding involving
1451	an obligee, obligor, or child residing outside the United
1452	States.
1453	(5)  "Foreign central authority" means the entity
1454	designated by a foreign country described in s. 88.102(5)(d) to
1455	perform the functions specified in the convention.
1456	(6)  "Foreign support agreement":
1457	(a)  Means an agreement for support in a record that:
1458	1.  Is enforceable as a support order in the country of
1459	origin;
1460	2.  Has been:
1461	a.  Formally drawn up or registered as an authentic
1462	instrument by a foreign tribunal; or
1463	b.  Authenticated by or concluded, registered, or filed
1464	with a foreign tribunal; and
1465	3.  May be reviewed and modified by a foreign tribunal; and
1466	(b)  Includes a maintenance arrangement or authentic
1467	instrument under the convention.
1468	(7)  "United States central authority" means the Secretary
1469	of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
1470	Section 59.  Section 88.7021, Florida Statutes, is created
1471	to read:
1472	88.7021  Applicability.-This part applies only to a support
1473	proceeding under the convention. In such a proceeding, if a
1474	provision of this part is inconsistent with parts I through VI,
1475	this part controls.
1476	Section 60.  Section 88.7031, Florida Statutes, is created
1477	to read:
1478	88.7031  Relationship of Department of Revenue to United
1479	States central authority.-The Department of Revenue is
1480	recognized as the agency designated by the United States central
1481	authority to perform specific functions under the convention.
1482	Section 61.  Section 88.7041, Florida Statutes, is created
1483	to read:
1484	88.7041  Initiation by Department of Revenue of support
1485	proceeding subject to convention.-
1486	(1)  In a proceeding subject to the convention, the
1487	Department of Revenue shall:
1488	(a)  Transmit and receive applications; and
1489	(b)  Initiate or facilitate the institution of a proceeding
1490	regarding an application in a tribunal of this state.
1491	(2)  The following support proceedings are available to an
1492	obligee under the convention:
1493	(a)  Recognition or recognition and enforcement of a
1494	foreign support order.
1495	(b)  Enforcement of a support order issued or recognized in
1496	this state.
1497	(c)  Establishment of a support order if there is no
1498	existing order, including, where necessary, determination of
1499	parentage.
1500	(d)  Establishment of a support order if recognition of a
1501	foreign support order is not possible or is refused because of
1502	the lack of a basis for recognition and enforcement under s.
1503	88.7081 or on grounds specified in s. 88.7091(2) or s.
1504	88.7091(5).
1505	(e)  Modification of a support order made by a tribunal of
1506	this state.
1507	(f)  Modification of a foreign support order.
1508	(3)  The following support proceedings are available under
1509	the convention to an obligor against whom there is an existing
1510	support order:
1511	(a)  Recognition of an order suspending or limiting
1512	enforcement of an existing support order of a tribunal of this
1513	state.
1514	(b)  Modification of a support order of a tribunal of this
1515	state.
1516	(c)  Modification of a support order of a tribunal of
1517	another state or foreign country.
1518	(4)  A tribunal of this state may not require security,
1519	bond, or deposit, however described, to guarantee the payment of
1520	costs and expenses in proceedings under the convention.
1521	Section 62.  Section 88.7051, Florida Statutes, is created
1522	to read:
1523	88.7051  Direct request.-
1524	(1)  A petitioner may file a direct request in a tribunal
1525	of this state seeking the establishment or modification of a
1526	support order or determination of parentage. In such a
1527	proceeding, the law of this state applies.
1528	(2)  A petitioner may file a direct request in a tribunal
1529	of this state seeking the recognition and enforcement of a
1530	support order or support agreement. In such a proceeding, the
1531	provisions of ss. 88.7061-88.7121 apply.
1532	(3)  In a direct request for recognition and enforcement of
1533	a foreign support order or agreement:
1534	(a)  No security, bond, or deposit shall be required to
1535	guarantee the payment of costs and expenses related to the
1536	proceedings; and
1537	(b)  The obligee or obligor, who in the issuing country has
1538	benefited from free legal assistance, shall be entitled to
1539	benefit, at least to the same extent, from any free legal
1540	assistance provided for by the law of this state under the same
1541	circumstances.
1542	(4)  An individual filing directly to a tribunal will not
1543	receive assistance from the Department of Revenue.
1544	(5)  Nothing in this part prevents the application of laws
1545	of this state that provide simplified, more expeditious rules
1546	regarding a direct request for recognition and enforcement of a
1547	foreign support order or support agreement.
1548	Section 63.  Section 88.7061, Florida Statutes, is created
1549	to read:
1550	88.7061  Registration of support order subject to
1551	convention.-
1552	(1)  Except as otherwise provided in this part, a party who
1553	is an individual or a support enforcement agency seeking
1554	recognition of a foreign support order subject to the convention
1555	shall register the order in this state as provided in part VI of
1556	this chapter.
1557	(2)  Notwithstanding ss. 88.3111 and 88.6021, a request for
1558	registration of a foreign support order subject to the
1559	convention shall be accompanied by the following:
1560	(a)  A complete text of the support order, or an abstract
1561	or extract of the support order drawn up by the issuing foreign
1562	tribunal, which may be in the form recommended by the Hague
1563	Conference on Private International Law.
1564	(b)  A record stating that the support order is enforceable
1565	in the issuing country.
1566	(c)  If the respondent did not appear and was not
1567	represented in the proceedings in the issuing country, a record
1568	attesting, as appropriate, either that the respondent had proper
1569	notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard, or
1570	that the respondent had proper notice of the support order and
1571	the opportunity to challenge or appeal it on fact and law.
1572	(d)  If necessary, a record showing the amount of any
1573	arrears, and the date the amount was calculated.
1574	(e)  If necessary, a record showing a requirement for
1575	automatic adjustment of the amount of support, if any, and the
1576	information necessary to make the appropriate calculations.
1577	(f)  If necessary, a record showing the extent to which the
1578	applicant received free legal assistance in the issuing country.
1579	(3)  A request for registration of a foreign support order
1580	may seek recognition and partial enforcement of the order.
1581	(4)  A tribunal of this state may refuse to register a
1582	foreign support order only if recognition and enforcement of the
1583	order is manifestly incompatible with public policy.
1584	(5)  The tribunal shall promptly notify the parties of the
1585	registration or the refusal to register a foreign support order.
1586	Section 64.  Section 88.7071, Florida Statutes, is created
1587	to read:
1588	88.7071  Contest of validity of foreign support order
1589	subject to convention.-
1590	(1)  Except as otherwise provided in this part, ss.
1591	88.6051-88.6081 apply to a contest of the validity of a
1592	registered foreign support order subject to the convention.
1593	(2)  A party contesting the recognition and enforcement of
1594	a registered foreign support order subject to the convention
1595	must file a contest within 30 days after notice of the
1596	registration unless the contesting party does not reside in the
1597	United States or a state, in which case the contest must be
1598	filed within 60 days after notice.
1599	(3)  A contest of a registered foreign support order may be
1600	based only on:
1601	(a)  The authenticity or integrity of any record
1602	transmitted in accordance with s. 88.7061;
1603	(b)  The lack of a basis for enforcement under s. 88.7081;
1604	(c)  The grounds for refusing enforcement under s. 88.7091;
1605	or
1606	(d)  The payment in part or in whole of the alleged
1607	arrears.
1608	(4)  In a contest of the validity of a registered foreign
1609	support order, a tribunal of this state:
1610	(a)  Is bound by the findings of fact on which the foreign
1611	tribunal based its jurisdiction; and
1612	(b)  May not review the merits of the support order.
1613	(5)  A tribunal of this state deciding a contest of the
1614	validity of a registered foreign support order shall promptly
1615	notify the parties of its decision.
1616	(6)  An appeal, if any, does not stay the enforcement of a
1617	foreign support order unless there are exceptional
1618	circumstances.
1619	Section 65.  Section 88.7081, Florida Statutes, is created
1620	to read:
1621	88.7081  Recognition and enforcement of foreign support
1622	order subject to convention.-
1623	(1)  A tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce a
1624	foreign support order subject to the convention if:
1625	(a)  The issuing tribunal had personal jurisdiction
1626	consistent with s. 88.2011; and
1627	(b)  The order is enforceable in the issuing country.
1628	(2)  If a tribunal of this state may not recognize a
1629	foreign support order because under similar facts the tribunal
1630	would not have had personal jurisdiction consistent with s.
1631	88.2011:
1632	(a)  The tribunal must allow a reasonable time for a party
1633	to request the tribunal to establish a support order;
1634	(b)  The tribunal may not use its refusal to recognize the
1635	foreign support order as a basis for dismissing the request;
1636	(c)  The Department of Revenue shall take all appropriate
1637	measures to request a child support order for the obligee if the
1638	application for recognition and enforcement was received under
1639	s. 88.7041(1).
1640	(3)  If a tribunal of this state may not recognize and
1641	enforce the whole of a foreign support order, it shall enforce
1642	any severable part of the order. An application or direct
1643	request may seek recognition and partial enforcement of a
1644	foreign support order.
1645	Section 66.  Section 88.7091, Florida Statutes, is created
1646	to read:
1647	88.7091  Refusal of recognition and enforcement of foreign
1648	support order subject to convention.-A tribunal of this state
1649	may refuse recognition and enforcement of a foreign support
1650	order subject to the convention if:
1651	(1)  Recognition and enforcement of the order is manifestly
1652	incompatible with public policy;
1653	(2)  The order was obtained by fraud in connection with a
1654	matter of procedure;
1655	(3)  A proceeding between the same parties and having the
1656	same purpose is pending before a tribunal of this state and that
1657	proceeding was the first to be instituted;
1658	(4)  The order is incompatible with a more recent support
1659	order issued between the same parties and having the same
1660	purpose if the more recent support order is entitled to
1661	recognition and enforcement in this state;
1662	(5)  In a case in which the respondent neither appeared nor
1663	was represented in the proceeding in the issuing foreign country
1664	when the law of the country:
1665	(a)  Provides for notice of proceedings, the respondent did
1666	not have proper notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to
1667	be heard; or
1668	(b)  Does not provide for notice of the proceedings, the
1669	respondent did not have proper notice of the order and the
1670	opportunity to challenge or appeal it on fact and law; or
1671	(6)  The order was made in violation of s. 88.7111.
1672	Section 67.  Section 88.7101, Florida Statutes, is created
1673	to read:
1674	88.7101  Foreign support agreement subject to convention.-
1675	(1)  Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4), a
1676	tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce a foreign
1677	support agreement registered in this state.
1678	(2)  An application or direct request for recognition and
1679	enforcement of a foreign support agreement shall be accompanied
1680	by the following:
1681	(a)  A complete text of the foreign support agreement.
1682	(b)  A record stating that the foreign support agreement is
1683	enforceable as a decision in the issuing country.
1684	(3)  A tribunal of this state may refuse to register a
1685	foreign support agreement only if registration is manifestly
1686	incompatible with public policy.
1687	(4)  A tribunal of this state may refuse recognition and
1688	enforcement of a foreign support agreement if it finds:
1689	(a)  Recognition and enforcement of the agreement is
1690	manifestly incompatible with public policy;
1691	(b)  The agreement was obtained by fraud or falsification;
1692	(c)  The agreement is incompatible with a support order
1693	issued between the same parties and having the same purpose,
1694	either in this state, another state, or a foreign country if the
1695	support order is entitled to recognition in this state; or
1696	(d)  The record submitted under subsection (2) lacks
1697	authenticity or integrity.
1698	(5)  A proceeding for recognition and enforcement of a
1699	foreign support agreement shall be suspended during the pendency
1700	of a challenge to the agreement before a tribunal of another
1701	state or foreign country.
1702	Section 68.  Section 88.7111, Florida Statutes, is created
1703	to read:
1704	88.7111  Modification of foreign child support order
1705	subject to convention.-
1706	(1)  A tribunal of this state may not modify a foreign
1707	child support order if the obligee remains a resident of the
1708	foreign country where the support order was issued unless:
1709	(a)  The obligee submits to the jurisdiction of a tribunal
1710	of this state, either expressly or by defending on the merits of
1711	the case without objecting to the jurisdiction at the first
1712	available opportunity; or
1713	(b)  The foreign tribunal lacks or refuses to exercise
1714	jurisdiction to modify its support order or issue a new support
1715	order.
1716	(2)  If a tribunal of this state does not modify the
1717	foreign child support order because the order may not be
1718	recognized in this state, the provisions of s. 88.7081 apply.
1719	Section 69.  Section 88.7121, Florida Statutes, is created
1720	to read:
1721	88.7121  Jurisdiction to modify spousal support order of
1722	foreign country.-A tribunal of this state with personal
1723	jurisdiction over the parties may modify a spousal support order
1724	of a foreign tribunal if:
1725	(1)  The foreign tribunal lacks or refuses to exercise
1726	jurisdiction to modify its order pursuant to its laws;
1727	(2)  There is agreement in writing between the parties to
1728	the jurisdiction of the tribunal of this state; or
1729	(3)  The parties submit to the jurisdiction of the tribunal
1730	of this state expressly or by defending on the merits without
1731	objecting.
1732	Section 70.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
1733	88.8011, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1734	88.8011  Grounds for rendition.-
1735	(2)  The Governor of this state may:
1736	(b)  On the demand of by the Governor of another state,
1737	surrender an individual found in this state who is charged
1738	criminally in the other state with having failed to provide for
1739	the support of an obligee.
1740	Section 71.  Section 88.9011, Florida Statutes, is amended
1741	to read:
1742	88.9011  Uniformity of application and construction.-In
1743	applying and construing this uniform act, consideration must be
1744	given to the need to promote uniformity of This act shall be
1745	applied and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make
1746	uniform the law with respect to its the subject matter of this
1747	act among states that enact enacting it.
1748	Section 72.  Section 88.9031, Florida Statutes, is amended
1749	to read:
1750	88.9031  Severability clause.-If any provision of this act
1751	or its application to any person or circumstance is held
1752	invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or
1753	applications of this act which can be given effect without the
1754	invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions
1755	of this act are severable.
1756	Section 73.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section
1757	61.13, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1758	61.13  Support of children; parenting and time-sharing;
1759	powers of court.-
1760	(7)(a)  Each party to any paternity or support proceeding
1761	is required to file with the tribunal as defined in s.
1762	88.1011(22) and State Case Registry upon entry of an order, and
1763	to update as appropriate, information on location and identity
1764	of the party, including social security number, residential and
1765	mailing addresses, telephone number, driver's license number,
1766	and name, address, and telephone number of employer. Each party
1767	to any paternity or child support proceeding in a non-Title IV-D
1768	case shall meet the above requirements for updating the tribunal
1769	and State Case Registry.
1770	Section 74.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section
1771	827.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1772	827.06  Nonsupport of dependents.-
1773	(5)
1774	(b)  The element of knowledge may be proven by evidence
1775	that a court or tribunal as defined by s. 88.1011(22) has
1776	entered an order that obligates the defendant to provide the
1777	support.
1778	Section 75.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2011.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.