CS/CS/CS/HB 1111

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to the Uniform Interstate Family Support
3Act; amending s. 88.1011, F.S.; revising and providing
4definitions; amending s. 88.1021, F.S.; designating the
5Department of Revenue as the support enforcement agency of
6this state; amending s. 88.1031, F.S.; revising provisions
7relating to remedies provided by the act; creating s.
888.1041, F.S.; providing for applicability of provisions
9to residents of foreign counties and foreign support
10proceedings; amending s. 88.2011, F.S.; providing that
11specified bases of personal jurisdiction may not be used
12to acquire personal jurisdiction for certain purposes
13unless specified requirements are met; amending s.
1488.2021, F.S.; providing for duration of personal
15jurisdiction; deleting provisions relating to procedure
16when exercising jurisdiction over nonresident; amending
17ss. 88.2031 and 88.2041, F.S.; conforming provisions to
18changes made by the act; amending s. 88.2051, F.S.;
19revising provisions relating to continuation of exclusive
20jurisdiction; amending s. 88.2061, F.S.; providing for
21continuing jurisdiction to enforce child support orders;
22amending s. 88.2071, F.S.; revising provisions relating to
23determination of a controlling child support order;
24amending s. 88.2081, F.S.; revising language relating to
25child support orders for two or more obligees; amending s.
2688.2091, F.S.; revising language relating to credit for
27child support payments; creating s. 88.2101, F.S.;
28providing for application of the act to a nonresident
29subject to personal jurisdiction; creating s. 88.2111,
30F.S.; providing for continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to
31modify a spousal support order; amending s. 88.3011, F.S.;
32revising provisions relating to applicability of the act;
33amending ss. 88.3021 and 88.3031, F.S.; revising
34terminology; amending s. 88.3041, F.S.; revising
35provisions relating to duties of an initiating tribunal;
36amending s. 88.3051, F.S.; revising provisions relating to
37duties and powers of a responding tribunal; amending s.
3888.3061, F.S.; revising terminology; amending s. 88.3071,
39F.S.; revising provisions relating to the duties of a
40support enforcement agency; amending s. 88.3081, F.S.;
41providing that the Governor and Cabinet may determine that
42a foreign country has established a reciprocal arrangement
43for child support with this state and take appropriate
44action for notification of the determination; amending s.
4588.3101, F.S.; revising terminology; amending s. 88.3111,
46F.S.; revising provisions relating to pleadings and
47accompanying documents; amending s. 88.3121, F.S.;
48revising requirements for nondisclosure of certain
49information; amending ss. 88.3131 and 88.3141, F.S.;
50revising terminology; amending s. 88.3161, F.S.; revising
51provisions relating to special rules of evidence and
52procedure; amending ss. 88.3171 and 88.3181, F.S.;
53revising terminology; amending s. 88.3191, F.S.; revising
54provisions relating to receipt and disbursement of
55payments; amending s. 88.4011, F.S.; revising provisions
56relating to establishment of a support order; creating s.
5788.4021, F.S.; providing that certain tribunals of this
58state may serve as responding tribunals in proceedings to
59determine parentage of a child under certain provisions;
60providing a directive to the Division of Statutory
61Revision; amending s. 88.5011, F.S.; revising provisions
62relating to an employer's receipt of an income-withholding
63order from another state; amending ss. 88.50211, 88.5031,
6488.5041, and 88.5051, F.S.; revising terminology; amending
65s. 88.5061, F.S.; revising provisions relating to a
66contest by obligor; amending s. 88.5071, F.S.; revising
67terminology; providing a directive to the Division of
68Statutory Revision; amending s. 88.6011, F.S.; revising
69terminology; amending s. 88.6021, F.S.; revising
70provisions relating to the procedure to register order for
71enforcement; amending s. 88.6031, F.S.; revising
72terminology; amending s. 88.6041, F.S.; revising
73provisions relating to choice of law; amending s. 88.6051,
74F.S.; revising provisions relating to notice of
75registration of order; amending s. 88.6061, F.S.; revising
76provisions relating to the procedure to contest the
77validity or enforcement of a registered order; amending s.
7888.6071, F.S.; revising provisions relating to the
79contesting of registration or enforcement; amending s.
8088.6081, F.S.; revising terminology; amending s. 88.6091,
81F.S.; correcting a cross-reference; amending s. 88.6111,
82F.S.; revising provisions relating to modification of a
83child support order of another state; amending s. 88.6121,
84F.S.; revising provisions relating to recognition of a
85child support order modified in another state; creating s.
8688.6151, F.S.; providing for jurisdiction to modify a
87child support order of a foreign country; creating s.
8888.6161, F.S.; providing procedures for registration of a
89child support order of a foreign country for modification;
90providing a directive to the Division of Statutory
91Revision; repealing s. 88.7011, F.S., relating to a
92proceeding to determine parentage of a child; creating s.
9388.70111, F.S.; providing definitions relating to a
94support proceeding under the Convention on the
95International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of
96Family Maintenance; creating s. 88.7021, F.S.; providing
97for applicability; creating s. 88.7031, F.S.; specifying
98the relationship of the Department of Revenue to the
99United States central authority; creating s. 88.7041,
100F.S.; providing for initiation by the Department of
101Revenue of support proceedings under the convention;
102creating s. 88.7051, F.S.; providing for direct requests
103to tribunals; creating s. 88.7061, F.S.; providing for
104registration of convention support orders; creating s.
10588.7071, F.S.; providing for contest of registered
106convention support orders; creating s. 88.7081, F.S.;
107providing for recognition and enforcement of registered
108convention support orders; creating s. 88.7091, F.S.;
109providing for partial enforcement of convention support
110orders; creating s. 88.7101, F.S.; providing requirements
111for a foreign support agreement; creating s. 88.7111,
112F.S.; providing for modification of convention child
113support orders; creating s. 88.7121, F.S.; providing
114limits on the personal use of certain information;
115creating s. 88.7131, F.S.; requiring a record filed with a
116tribunal of this state under specified provisions to be in
117the original language and, if not in English, to be
118accompanied by an English translation; amending s.
11988.8011, F.S.; revising terminology; amending s. 88.9011,
120F.S.; revising provisions relating to the uniformity of
121application and construction of the act; creating s.
12288.9021, F.S.; providing applicability; amending s.
12388.9031, F.S.; revising terminology; amending ss. 61.13
124and 827.06, F.S.; correcting cross-references; directing
125the Department of Revenue to apply for a waiver; providing
126a contingent effective date.
127
128Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
129
130     Section 1.  Section 88.1011, Florida Statutes, is amended
131to read:
132     88.1011  Definitions.-As used in this act:
133     (1)  "Child" means an individual, whether over or under the
134age of majority, who is or is alleged to be owed a duty of
135support by the individual's parent or who is or is alleged to be
136the beneficiary of a support order directed to the parent.
137     (2)  "Child support order" means a support order for a
138child, including a child who has attained the age of majority
139under the law of the issuing state or foreign country.
140     (3)  "Convention" means the Convention on the International
141Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance,
142concluded at The Hague on November 23, 2007.
143     (4)(3)  "Duty of support" means an obligation imposed or
144imposable by law to provide support for a child, spouse, or
145former spouse, including an unsatisfied obligation to provide
146support.
147     (5)  "Foreign country" means a country, including a
148political subdivision thereof, other than the United States,
149that authorizes the issuance of support orders and:
150     (a)  Which has been declared under the law of the United
151States to be a foreign reciprocating country;
152     (b)  Which has established a reciprocal arrangement for
153child support with this state as provided in s. 88.3081;
154     (c)  Which has enacted a law or established procedures for
155the issuance and enforcement of support orders which are
156substantially similar to the procedures under this act; or
157     (d)  In which the convention is in force with respect to
158the United States.
159     (6)  "Foreign support order" means a support order of a
160foreign tribunal.
161     (7)  "Foreign tribunal" means a court, administrative
162agency, or quasi-judicial entity of a foreign country which is
163authorized to establish, enforce, or modify support orders or to
164determine parentage of a child. The term includes a competent
165authority under the convention.
166     (8)(4)  "Home state" means the state or foreign country in
167which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as parent
168for at least 6 consecutive months immediately preceding the time
169of filing of a petition or comparable pleading for support and,
170if a child is less than 6 months old, the state or foreign
171country in which the child lived from birth with any of them. A
172period of temporary absence of any of them is counted as part of
173the 6-month or other period.
174     (9)(5)  "Income" includes earnings or other periodic
175entitlements to money from any source and any other property
176subject to withholding for support under the law of this state.
177     (10)(6)  "Income-withholding order" means an order or other
178legal process directed to an obligor's employer or other debtor,
179as defined by the income deduction law of this state, or payor
180as defined by s. 61.046, to withhold support from the income of
181the obligor.
182     (7)  "Initiating state" means a state from which a
183proceeding is forwarded or in which a proceeding is filed for
184forwarding to a responding state under this act or a law or
185procedure substantially similar to this act, the Uniform
186Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, or the Revised Uniform
187Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act.
188     (11)(8)  "Initiating tribunal" means the authorized
189tribunal of a state or foreign country from which a petition or
190comparable pleading is forwarded or in which a petition or
191comparable pleading is filed for forwarding to another state or
192foreign country in an initiating state.
193     (12)  "Issuing foreign country" means the foreign country
194in which a tribunal issues a support order or a judgment
195determining parentage of a child.
196     (13)(9)  "Issuing state" means the state in which a
197tribunal issues a support order or renders a judgment
198determining parentage of a child.
199     (14)(10)  "Issuing tribunal" means the tribunal of a state
200or foreign country that issues a support order or renders a
201judgment determining parentage of a child.
202     (15)(11)  "Law" includes decisional and statutory law and
203rules and regulations having the force of law.
204     (16)(12)  "Obligee" means:
205     (a)  An individual to whom a duty of support is or is
206alleged to be owed or in whose favor a support order has been
207issued or a judgment determining parentage of a child has been
208issued rendered;
209     (b)  A foreign country, state, or political subdivision of
210a state to which the rights under a duty of support or support
211order have been assigned or which has independent claims based
212on financial assistance provided to an individual obligee in
213place of child support; or
214     (c)  An individual seeking a judgment determining parentage
215of the individual's child; or
216     (d)  A person that is a creditor in a proceeding under part
217VII of this chapter.
218     (17)(13)  "Obligor" means an individual, or the estate of a
219decedent that:
220     (a)  Who Owes or is alleged to owe a duty of support;
221     (b)  Who Is alleged but has not been adjudicated to be a
222parent of a child; or
223     (c)  Who Is liable under a support order; or
224     (d)  Is a debtor in a proceeding under part VII.
225     (18)  "Outside this state" means a location in another
226state or a country other than the United States, whether or not
227the country is a foreign country.
228     (19)  "Person" means an individual, corporation, business
229trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company,
230association, joint venture, public corporation, government, or
231governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality or any
232other legal or commercial entity.
233     (20)  "Record" means information that is inscribed on a
234tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other
235medium that is retrievable in perceivable form.
236     (21)(14)  "Register" means to record or file in a tribunal
237of this state a support order or judgment determining parentage
238of a child issued in another state or a foreign country in the
239Registry of Foreign Support Orders of the circuit court, or
240other appropriate location for the recording or filing of
241foreign judgments generally or foreign support orders
242specifically.
243     (22)(15)  "Registering tribunal" means a tribunal in which
244a support order or judgment determining parentage of a child is
245registered.
246     (23)(16)  "Responding state" means a state in which a
247petition or comparable pleading for support or to determine
248parentage of a child proceeding is filed or to which a petition
249or comparable pleading proceeding is forwarded for filing from
250another state or a foreign country an initiating state under
251this act or a law or procedure substantially similar to this
252act, the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, or the
253Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act.
254     (24)(17)  "Responding tribunal" means the authorized
255tribunal in a responding state or a foreign country.
256     (25)(18)  "Spousal-support order" means a support order for
257a spouse or former spouse of the obligor.
258     (26)(19)  "State" means a state of the United States, the
259District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin
260Islands, or any territory or insular possession under subject to
261the jurisdiction of the United States. The term includes:
262     (a)  an Indian nation or tribe; and
263     (b)  A foreign jurisdiction that has enacted a law or
264established procedures for issuance and enforcement of support
265orders which are substantially similar to the procedures under
266this act, the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, or
267the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, as
268determined by the Attorney General.
269     (27)(20)  "Support enforcement agency" means a public
270official, governmental entity, or private agency authorized to
271seek:
272     (a)  Seek enforcement of support orders or laws relating to
273the duty of support;
274     (b)  Seek establishment or modification of child support;
275     (c)  Request determination of parentage of a child; or
276     (d)  Attempt to locate obligors or their assets; or
277     (e)  Request determination of the controlling child support
278order.
279     (28)(21)  "Support order" means a judgment, decree, or
280order, decision, or directive, whether temporary, final, or
281subject to modification, issued in a state or foreign country
282for the benefit of a child, a spouse, or a former spouse, which
283provides for monetary support, health care, arrearages,
284retroactive support, or reimbursement for financial assistance
285provided to an individual obligee in place of child support. The
286term, and may include related costs and fees, interest, income
287withholding, automatic adjustment, reasonable attorney's fees,
288and other relief.
289     (29)(22)  "Tribunal" means a court, administrative agency,
290or quasi-judicial entity authorized to establish, enforce, or
291modify support orders or to determine parentage of a child.
292     Section 2.  Section 88.1021, Florida Statutes, is amended
293to read:
294     88.1021  Tribunal of State tribunal and support enforcement
295agency.-
296     (1)  The circuit court or other appropriate court,
297administrative agency, quasi-judicial entity, or combination is
298the tribunal of this state.
299     (2)  The Department of Revenue is the support enforcement
300agency of this state.
301     Section 3.  Section 88.1031, Florida Statutes, is amended
302to read:
303     88.1031  Remedies cumulative.-
304     (1)  Remedies provided by this act are cumulative and do
305not affect the availability of remedies under other law, or the
306recognition of a foreign support order on the basis of comity.
307     (2)  This act does not:
308     (a)  Provide the exclusive method of establishing or
309enforcing a support order under the law of this state; or
310     (b)  Grant a tribunal of this state jurisdiction to render
311judgment or issue an order relating to child custody or
312visitation in a proceeding under this act.
313     Section 4.  Section 88.1041, Florida Statutes, is created
314to read:
315     88.1041  Application of act to resident of foreign country
316and foreign support proceeding.-
317     (1)  A tribunal of this state shall apply parts I through
318VI of this chapter, and, as applicable, part VII of this
319chapter, to a support proceeding involving:
320     (a)  A foreign support order;
321     (b)  A foreign tribunal; or
322     (c)  An obligee, obligor, or child residing in a foreign
323country.
324     (2)  A tribunal of this state that is requested to
325recognize and enforce a support order on the basis of comity may
326apply the procedural and substantive provisions of parts I
327through VI of this chapter.
328     (3)  Part VII of this chapter applies only to a support
329proceeding under the convention. In such a proceeding, if a
330provision of part VII of this chapter is inconsistent with parts
331I through VI of this chapter, part VII of this chapter controls.
332     Section 5.  Section 88.2011, Florida Statutes, is amended
333to read:
334     88.2011  Bases for jurisdiction over nonresident.-
335     (1)  In a proceeding to establish or, enforce, or modify a
336support order or to determine parentage of a child, a tribunal
337of this state may exercise personal jurisdiction over a
338nonresident individual or the individual's guardian or
339conservator if:
340     (a)(1)  The individual is personally served with citation,
341summons, or notice within this state;
342     (b)(2)  The individual submits to the jurisdiction of this
343state by consent in a record, by entering a general appearance,
344or by filing a responsive document having the effect of waiving
345any contest to personal jurisdiction;
346     (c)(3)  The individual resided with the child in this
347state;
348     (d)(4)  The individual resided in this state and provided
349prenatal expenses or support for the child;
350     (e)(5)  The child resides in this state as a result of the
351acts or directives of the individual;
352     (f)(6)  The individual engaged in sexual intercourse in
353this state and the child may have been conceived by that act of
354intercourse;
355     (g)(7)  The individual asserted parentage of a child in a
356tribunal or in a putative father registry maintained in this
357state by the appropriate agency; or
358     (h)(8)  There is any other basis consistent with the
359constitutions of this state and the United States for the
360exercise of personal jurisdiction.
361     (2)  The bases of personal jurisdiction set forth in
362subsection (1) or in any other law of this state may not be used
363to acquire personal jurisdiction for tribunal of this state to
364modify a child support order of another state unless the
365requirements of s. 88.6111 are met, or, in the case of a foreign
366support order, unless the requirements of s. 88.6151 are met.
367     Section 6.  Section 88.2021, Florida Statutes, is amended
368to read:
369     88.2021  Duration of personal Procedure when exercising
370jurisdiction over nonresident.-Personal jurisdiction acquired by
371a tribunal of this state in a proceeding under this act or other
372law of this state relating to a support order continues as long
373as a tribunal of this state has continuing, exclusive
374jurisdiction to modify its order or continuing jurisdiction to
375enforce its order as provided by ss. 88.2051, 88.2061, and
37688.2111 A tribunal of this state exercising personal
377jurisdiction over a nonresident under s. 88.2011 may apply s.
37888.3161 (special rules of evidence and procedure) to receive
379evidence from another state, and s. 88.3181 (assistance with
380discovery) to obtain discovery through a tribunal of another
381state. In all other respects, parts III through VII of this
382chapter do not apply and the tribunal shall apply the procedural
383and substantive law of this state, including the rules on choice
384of law other than those established by this act.
385     Section 7.  Section 88.2031, Florida Statutes, is amended
386to read:
387     88.2031  Initiating and responding tribunal of state.-Under
388this act, a tribunal of this state may serve as an initiating
389tribunal to forward proceedings to a tribunal of another state
390and as a responding tribunal for proceedings initiated in
391another state or a foreign country.
392     Section 8.  Section 88.2041, Florida Statutes, is amended
393to read:
394     88.2041  Simultaneous proceedings in another state.-
395     (1)  A tribunal of this state may exercise jurisdiction to
396establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading
397is filed after a petition or comparable pleading is filed in
398another state or a foreign country only if:
399     (a)  The petition or comparable pleading in this state is
400filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the other
401state or the foreign country for filing a responsive pleading
402challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by the other state or
403the foreign country;
404     (b)  The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of
405jurisdiction in the other state or the foreign country; and
406     (c)  If relevant, this state is the home state of the
407child.
408     (2)  A tribunal of this state may not exercise jurisdiction
409to establish a support order if the petition or comparable
410pleading is filed before a petition or comparable pleading is
411filed in another state or a foreign country if:
412     (a)  The petition or comparable pleading in the other state
413or the foreign country is filed before the expiration of the
414time allowed in this state for filing a responsive pleading
415challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by this state;
416     (b)  The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of
417jurisdiction in this state; and
418     (c)  If relevant, the other state or the foreign country is
419the home state of the child.
420     Section 9.  Section 88.2051, Florida Statutes, is amended
421to read:
422     88.2051  Continuing exclusive jurisdiction.-
423     (1)  A tribunal of this state that has issued issuing a
424child support order consistent with the law of this state has
425and shall exercise continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify
426its over a child support order if the order is the controlling
427order and:
428     (a)  At the time of the filing of a request for
429modification, As long as this state is remains the residence of
430the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose
431benefit the support order is issued; or
432     (b)  Even if this state is not the residence of the
433obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit
434the support order is issued, the parties consent in a record or
435in open court that the tribunal of this state may continue to
436exercise jurisdiction to modify its order Until all of the
437parties who are individuals have filed written consents with the
438tribunal of this state for a tribunal of another state to modify
439the order and assume continuing exclusive jurisdiction.
440     (2)  A tribunal of this state that has issued issuing a
441child support order consistent with the law of this state may
442not exercise its continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify
443the order if: the order has been modified by a tribunal of
444another state pursuant to this act or a law substantially
445similar to this act.
446     (a)  All of the parties who are individuals file consent in
447a record with the tribunal of this state that a tribunal of
448another state that has jurisdiction over at least one of the
449parties who is an individual or that is located in the state of
450residence of the child may modify the order and assume
451continuing, exclusive jurisdiction; or
452     (b)  Its order is not the controlling order.
453     (3)  If a child support order of this state is modified by
454a tribunal of another state pursuant to this act or a law
455substantially similar to this act, a tribunal of this state
456loses its continuing exclusive jurisdiction with regard to
457prospective enforcement of the order issued in this state, and
458may only:
459     (a)  Enforce the order that was modified as to amounts
460accruing before the modification;
461     (b)  Enforce nonmodifiable aspects of that order; and
462     (c)  Provide other appropriate relief for violations of
463that order which occurred before the effective date of the
464modification.
465     (3)(4)  If a tribunal of this state shall recognize the
466continuing exclusive jurisdiction of a tribunal of another state
467which has issued a child support order pursuant to this act or a
468law substantially similar to this act which modifies a child
469support order of a tribunal of this state, tribunals of this
470state shall recognize the continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of
471the tribunal of the other state.
472     (4)  A tribunal of this state that lacks continuing,
473exclusive jurisdiction to modify a child support order may serve
474as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state
475to modify a support order issued in that state.
476     (5)  A temporary support order issued ex parte or pending
477resolution of a jurisdictional conflict does not create
478continuing exclusive jurisdiction in the issuing tribunal.
479     (6)  A tribunal of this state issuing a support order
480consistent with the law of this state has continuing exclusive
481jurisdiction over a spousal support order throughout the
482existence of the support obligation. A tribunal of this state
483may not modify a spousal support order issued by a tribunal of
484another state having continuing exclusive jurisdiction over that
485order under the law of that state.
486     Section 10.  Section 88.2061, Florida Statutes, is amended
487to read:
488     88.2061  Enforcement and modification of support order by
489tribunal having Continuing jurisdiction to enforce child support
490order.-
491     (1)  A tribunal of this state that has issued a child
492support order consistent with the law of this state may serve as
493an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to
494enforce: or modify a support order issued in that state.
495     (a)  The order if the order is the controlling order and
496has not been modified by a tribunal of another state that
497assumed jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family
498Support Act; or
499     (b)  A money judgment for arrears of support and interest
500on the order accrued before a determination that an order of a
501tribunal of another state is the controlling order.
502     (2)  A tribunal of this state having continuing exclusive
503jurisdiction over a support order may act as a responding
504tribunal to enforce or modify the order. If a party subject to
505the continuing exclusive jurisdiction of the tribunal no longer
506resides in the issuing state, in subsequent proceedings the
507tribunal may apply s. 88.3161 (special rules of evidence and
508procedure) to receive evidence from another state and s. 88.3181
509(assistance with discovery) to obtain discovery through a
510tribunal of another state.
511     (3)  A tribunal of this state which lacks continuing
512exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order may not
513serve as a responding tribunal to modify a spousal support order
514of another state.
515     Section 11.  Section 88.2071, Florida Statutes, is amended
516to read:
517     88.2071  Determination Recognition of controlling child
518support order.-
519     (1)  If a proceeding is brought under this act and only one
520tribunal has issued a child support order, the order of that
521tribunal controls and must be so recognized.
522     (2)  If a proceeding is brought under this act, and two or
523more child support orders have been issued by tribunals of this
524state, or another state, or a foreign country with regard to the
525same obligor and the same child, a tribunal of this state having
526personal jurisdiction over both the obligor and individual
527obligee shall apply the following rules and by order shall
528determine in determining which order controls and must be
529recognized to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive
530jurisdiction:
531     (a)  If only one of the tribunals would have continuing,
532exclusive jurisdiction under this act, the order of that
533tribunal controls and must be so recognized.
534     (b)  If more than one of the tribunals would have
535continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this act:,
536     1.  An order issued by a tribunal in the current home state
537of the child controls; or and must be so recognized, but
538     2.  If an order has not been issued in the current home
539state of the child, the order most recently issued controls and
540must be so recognized.
541     (c)  If none of the tribunals would have continuing,
542exclusive jurisdiction under this act, the tribunal of this
543state having jurisdiction over the parties shall issue a child
544support order, which controls and must be so recognized.
545     (3)  If two or more child support orders have been issued
546for the same obligor and the same child, upon request of and if
547the obligor or the individual obligee resides in this state, a
548party who is an individual or that is a support enforcement
549agency, may request a tribunal of this state having personal
550jurisdiction over both the obligor and the obligee who is an
551individual shall to determine which order controls and must be
552so recognized under subsection (2). The request may be filed
553with a registration for enforcement or registration for
554modification pursuant to part VI of this chapter, or may be
555filed as a separate proceeding must be accompanied by a
556certified copy of every support order in effect. The requesting
557party shall give notice of the request to each party whose
558rights may be affected by the determination.
559     (4)  A request to determine which is the controlling order
560must be accompanied by a copy of every child support order in
561effect and the applicable record of payments. The requesting
562party shall give notice of the request to each party whose
563rights may be affected by the determination.
564     (5)(4)  The tribunal that issued the controlling order
565under subsection (1), subsection (2), or subsection (3) is the
566tribunal that has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to the
567extent provided in s. under s. 88.2051 or s. 88.2061.
568     (6)(5)  A tribunal of this state that which determines by
569order which is the identity of the controlling order under
570paragraph (2)(a), or paragraph (2)(b), or subsection (3) or that
571which issues a new controlling order under paragraph (2)(c)
572shall state in that order:
573     (a)  The basis upon which the tribunal made its
574determination;.
575     (b)  The amount of prospective support, if any; and
576     (c)  The total amount of consolidated arrears and accrued
577interest, if any, under all of the orders after all payments
578made are credited as provided by s. 88.2091.
579     (7)(6)  Within 30 days after issuance of an order
580determining which is the identity of the controlling order, the
581party obtaining the order shall file a certified copy of it in
582with each tribunal that issued or registered an earlier order of
583child support. A party or support enforcement agency obtaining
584who obtains the order that and fails to file a certified copy is
585subject to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in which the
586issue of failure to file arises. The failure to file does not
587affect the validity or enforceability of the controlling order.
588     (8)  An order that has been determined to be the
589controlling order, or a judgment for consolidated arrears of
590support and interest, if any, made pursuant to this section must
591be recognized in proceedings under this act.
592     Section 12.  Section 88.2081, Florida Statutes, is amended
593to read:
594     88.2081  Multiple Child support orders for two or more
595obligees.-In responding to multiple registrations, petitions, or
596comparable pleadings for enforcement of two or more child
597support orders in effect at the same time with regard to the
598same obligor and different individual obligees, at least one of
599which was issued by a tribunal of another state or a foreign
600country, a tribunal of this state shall enforce those orders in
601the same manner as if the multiple orders had been issued by a
602tribunal of this state.
603     Section 13.  Section 88.2091, Florida Statutes, is amended
604to read:
605     88.2091  Credit for payments.-A tribunal of this state
606shall credit amounts collected and credited for a particular
607period pursuant to any child support order against the amounts
608owed for the same period under any other child support order for
609support of the same child a support order issued by a tribunal
610of another state must be credited against the amounts accruing
611or accrued for the same period under a support order issued by
612the tribunal of this state, another state, or a foreign country.
613     Section 14.  Section 88.2101, Florida Statutes, is created
614to read:
615     88.2101  Application of act to nonresident subject to
616personal jurisdiction.-A tribunal of this state exercising
617personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a proceeding under
618this act, under another law of this state relating to a support
619order, or recognizing a foreign support order may receive
620evidence from outside this state pursuant to s. 88.3161,
621communicate with a tribunal outside this state pursuant to s.
62288.3171, and obtain discovery through a tribunal outside this
623state pursuant to s. 88.3181. In all other respects, parts III
624through VI of this chapter do not apply, and the tribunal shall
625apply the procedural and substantive law of this state.
626     Section 15.  Section 88.2111, Florida Statutes, is created
627to read:
628     88.2111  Continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify
629spousal support order.-
630     (1)  A tribunal of this state issuing a spousal support
631order consistent with the law of this state has continuing,
632exclusive jurisdiction to modify the spousal support order
633throughout the existence of the support obligation.
634     (2)  A tribunal of this state may not modify a spousal
635support order issued by a tribunal of another state or foreign
636country having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over that
637order under the law of that state or foreign country.
638     (3)  A tribunal of this state that has continuing,
639exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order may serve
640as:
641     (a)  An initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of
642another state to enforce the spousal support order issued in
643this state; or
644     (b)  A responding tribunal to enforce or modify its own
645spousal support order.
646     Section 16.  Section 88.3011, Florida Statutes, is amended
647to read:
648     88.3011  Proceedings under this act.-
649     (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this act, this part
650article applies to all proceedings under this act.
651     (2)  This act provides for the following proceedings:
652     (a)  Establishment of an order for spousal support or child
653support pursuant to part IV;
654     (b)  Enforcement of a support order and income-withholding
655order of another state without registration pursuant to part V;
656     (c)  Registration of an order for spousal support or child
657support of another state for enforcement pursuant to part VI;
658     (d)  Modification of an order for child support or spousal
659support issued by a tribunal of this state pursuant to ss.
66088.2031-88.2061;
661     (e)  Registration of an order for child support of another
662state for modification pursuant to part VI;
663     (f)  Determination of parentage pursuant to part VII; and
664     (g)  Assertion of jurisdiction over nonresidents pursuant
665to ss. 88.2011-88.2021.
666     (2)(3)  An individual petitioner or a support enforcement
667agency may initiate commence a proceeding authorized under this
668act by filing a petition or a comparable pleading in an
669initiating tribunal for forwarding to a responding tribunal or
670by filing a petition or a comparable pleading directly in a
671tribunal of another state or a foreign country which has or can
672obtain personal jurisdiction over the respondent.
673     Section 17.  Section 88.3021, Florida Statutes, is amended
674to read:
675     88.3021  Proceeding Action by minor parent.-A minor parent,
676or a guardian or other legal representative of a minor parent,
677may maintain a proceeding on behalf of or for the benefit of the
678minor's child.
679     Section 18.  Section 88.3031, Florida Statutes, is amended
680to read:
681     88.3031  Application of law of state.-Except as otherwise
682provided in by this act, a responding tribunal of this state
683shall:
684     (1)  Shall Apply the procedural and substantive law,
685including the rules on choice of law, generally applicable to
686similar proceedings originating in this state and may exercise
687all powers and provide all remedies available in those
688proceedings; and
689     (2)  Shall Determine the duty of support and the amount
690payable in accordance with the law and support guidelines of
691this state.
692     Section 19.  Section 88.3041, Florida Statutes, is amended
693to read:
694     88.3041  Duties of initiating tribunal.-
695     (1)  Upon the filing of a petition or comparable pleading
696authorized by this act, an initiating tribunal of this state
697shall forward three copies of the petition and its accompanying
698documents or a comparable pleading and its accompanying
699documents:
700     (a)  To the responding tribunal or appropriate support
701enforcement agency in the responding state; or
702     (b)  If the identity of the responding tribunal is unknown,
703to the state information agency of the responding state with a
704request that they be forwarded to the appropriate tribunal and
705that receipt be acknowledged.
706     (2)  If requested by the responding tribunal a responding
707state has not enacted this act or a law or procedure
708substantially similar to this act, a tribunal of this state
709shall may issue a certificate or other document and make
710findings required by the law of the responding state. If the
711responding tribunal state is in a foreign country jurisdiction,
712upon request the tribunal of this state shall may specify the
713amount of support sought, convert that amount into the
714equivalent amount in the foreign currency under applicable
715official or market exchange rate as publicly reported, and
716provide any other documents necessary to satisfy the
717requirements of the responding foreign tribunal state.
718     Section 20.  Section 88.3051, Florida Statutes, is amended
719to read:
720     88.3051  Duties and powers of responding tribunal.-
721     (1)  When a responding tribunal of this state receives a
722petition or comparable pleading from an initiating tribunal or
723directly pursuant to s. 88.3011(2)(3), it shall cause the
724petition or comparable pleading to be filed and notify the
725petitioner where and when it was filed.
726     (2)  A responding tribunal of this state, to the extent not
727prohibited otherwise authorized by other law, may do one or more
728of the following:
729     (a)  Establish Issue or enforce a support order, modify a
730child support order, determine the controlling child support
731order, or render a judgment to determine parentage of a child.
732     (b)  Order an obligor to comply with a support order,
733specifying the amount and the manner of compliance.
734     (c)  Order income withholding.
735     (d)  Determine the amount of any arrearages, and specify a
736method of payment.
737     (e)  Enforce orders by civil or criminal contempt, or both.
738     (f)  Set aside property for satisfaction of the support
739order.
740     (g)  Place liens and order execution on the obligor's
741property.
742     (h)  Order an obligor to keep the tribunal informed of the
743obligor's current residential address, electronic mail address,
744telephone number, employer, address of employment, and telephone
745number at the place of employment.
746     (i)  Issue a bench warrant, capias, or writ of bodily
747attachment for an obligor who has failed after proper notice to
748appear at a hearing ordered by the tribunal and enter the bench
749warrant, capias, or writ of bodily attachment in any local and
750state computer systems for criminal warrants.
751     (j)  Order the obligor to seek appropriate employment by
752specified methods.
753     (k)  Award reasonable attorney's fees and other fees and
754costs.
755     (l)  Grant any other available remedy.
756     (3)  A responding tribunal of this state shall include in a
757support order issued under this act, or in the documents
758accompanying the order, the calculations on which the support
759order is based.
760     (4)  A responding tribunal of this state may not condition
761the payment of a support order issued under this act upon
762compliance by a party with provisions for visitation.
763     (5)  If a responding tribunal of this state issues an order
764under this act, the tribunal shall send a copy of the order to
765the petitioner and the respondent and to the initiating
766tribunal, if any.
767     (6)  If requested to enforce a support order, arrears, or
768judgment, or modify a support order stated in a foreign
769currency, a responding tribunal of this state shall convert the
770amount stated in the foreign currency to the equivalent amount
771in dollars under the applicable official or market exchange rate
772as publicly reported.
773     Section 21.  Section 88.3061, Florida Statutes, is amended
774to read:
775     88.3061  Inappropriate tribunal.-If a petition or
776comparable pleading is received by an inappropriate tribunal of
777this state, the tribunal it shall forward the pleading and
778accompanying documents to an appropriate tribunal of in this
779state or another state and notify the petitioner where and when
780the pleading was sent.
781     Section 22.  Section 88.3071, Florida Statutes, is amended
782to read:
783     88.3071  Duties of support enforcement agency.-
784     (1)  In a proceeding under this act, a support enforcement
785agency of this state, upon request:
786     (a)  Shall provide services to a petitioner residing in a
787state;
788     (b)  Shall provide services to a petitioner requesting
789services through a central authority of a foreign country as
790described in s. 88.1011(5)(a) or s. 88.1011(5)(d); and
791     (c)  May provide services to a petitioner who is an
792individual not residing in a state A support enforcement agency
793of this state, upon request, shall provide services to a
794petitioner in a proceeding under this act.
795     (2)  A support enforcement agency that is providing
796services to the petitioner as appropriate shall:
797     (a)  Take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate
798tribunal in this state, or another state, or a foreign country
799to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent.
800     (b)  Request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time,
801and place for a hearing.
802     (c)  Make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant
803information, including information as to income and property of
804the parties.
805     (d)  Within 10 days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and
806legal holidays, after receipt of a written notice from an
807initiating, responding, or registering tribunal, send a copy of
808the notice to the petitioner.
809     (e)  Within 10 days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and
810legal holidays, after receipt of a written communication from
811the respondent or the respondent's attorney, send a copy of the
812communication to the petitioner.
813     (f)  Notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the
814respondent cannot be obtained.
815     (3)  A support enforcement agency of this state that
816requests registration of a child support order in this state for
817enforcement or for modification shall make reasonable efforts:
818     (a)  To ensure that the order to be registered is the
819controlling order; or
820     (b)  If two or more child support orders exist and the
821identity of the controlling order has not been determined, to
822ensure that a request for such a determination is made in a
823tribunal having jurisdiction to do so.
824     (4)  A support enforcement agency of this state that
825requests registration and enforcement of a support order,
826arrears, or judgment stated in a foreign currency shall convert
827the amounts stated in the foreign currency into the equivalent
828amounts in dollars under the applicable official or market
829exchange rate as publicly reported.
830     (5)  A support enforcement agency of this state shall issue
831or request a tribunal of this state to issue a child support
832order and an income-withholding order that redirect payment of
833current support, arrears, and interest if requested to do so by
834a support enforcement agency of another state pursuant to s.
83588.3191.
836     (6)(3)  This act does not create or negate a relationship
837of attorney and client or other fiduciary relationship between a
838support enforcement agency or the attorney for the agency and
839the individual being assisted by the agency.
840     Section 23.  Section 88.3081, Florida Statutes, is amended
841to read:
842     88.3081  Duty of Governor and Cabinet.-
843     (1)  If the Governor and Cabinet determine that the support
844enforcement agency is neglecting or refusing to provide services
845to an individual, the Governor and Cabinet may order the agency
846to perform its duties under this act or may provide those
847services directly to the individual.
848     (2)  The Governor and Cabinet may determine that a foreign
849country has established a reciprocal arrangement for child
850support with this state and take appropriate action for
851notification of the determination.
852     Section 24.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
85388.3101, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
854     88.3101  Duties of state information agency.-
855     (2)  The state information agency shall:
856     (c)  Forward to the appropriate tribunal in the place in
857this state in which the individual obligee who is an individual
858or the obligor resides, or in which the obligor's property is
859believed to be located, all documents concerning a proceeding
860under this act received from another state or a foreign country
861an initiating tribunal or the state information agency of the
862initiating state.
863     Section 25.  Subsection (1) of section 88.3111, Florida
864Statutes, is amended to read:
865     88.3111  Pleadings and accompanying documents.-
866     (1)  In a proceeding under this act, a petitioner seeking
867to establish or modify a support order, or to determine
868parentage of a child, or to register and modify a support order
869of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country in a
870proceeding under this act must file a verify the petition or
871comparable pleading. Unless otherwise ordered under s. 88.3121
872(nondisclosure of information in exceptional circumstances), the
873petition or comparable pleading or the documents accompanying
874either the petition or comparable pleading must provide, so far
875as known, the name, residential address, and social security
876numbers of the obligor and the obligee or the parent and alleged
877parent, and the name, sex, residential address, social security
878number, and date of birth of each child for whose benefit whom
879support is sought or whose parentage of a child is to be
880determined. Unless filed at the time of registration, the
881petition must be accompanied by a certified copy of any support
882order known to have been issued by another tribunal in effect.
883The petition may include any other information that may assist
884in locating or identifying the respondent.
885     Section 26.  Section 88.3121, Florida Statutes, is amended
886to read:
887     88.3121  Nondisclosure of information in exceptional
888circumstances.-If a party alleges in an affidavit or a pleading
889under oath that the health, safety, or liberty of a party or
890child would be jeopardized by disclosure of specific identifying
891information, that information must be sealed and may not be
892disclosed to the other party or the public. After a hearing in
893which a tribunal takes into consideration the health, safety, or
894liberty of the party or child, the tribunal may order disclosure
895of information that the tribunal determines to be in the
896interest of justice Upon a finding, which may be made ex parte,
897that the health, safety, or liberty of a party or child would be
898unreasonably put at risk by the disclosure of identifying
899information, or if an existing order so provides, a tribunal
900shall order that the address of the child or party or other
901identifying information not be disclosed in a pleading or other
902document filed in a proceeding under this act.
903     Section 27.  Subsection (2) of section 88.3131, Florida
904Statutes, is amended to read:
905     88.3131  Costs and fees.-
906     (2)  If an obligee prevails, a responding tribunal of this
907state may assess against an obligor filing fees, reasonable
908attorney's fees, other costs, and necessary travel and other
909reasonable expenses incurred by the obligee and the obligee's
910witnesses. The tribunal may not assess fees, costs, or expenses
911against the obligee or the support enforcement agency of either
912the initiating or the responding state or foreign country,
913except as provided by other law. Attorney's fees may be taxed as
914costs, and may be ordered paid directly to the attorney, who may
915enforce the order in the attorney's own name. Payment of support
916owed to the obligee has priority over fees, costs, and expenses.
917     Section 28.  Subsections (1) and (3) of section 88.3141,
918Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
919     88.3141  Limited immunity of petitioner.-
920     (1)  Participation by a petitioner in a proceeding under
921this act before a responding tribunal, whether in person, by
922private attorney, or through services provided by the support
923enforcement agency, does not confer personal jurisdiction over
924the petitioner in another proceeding.
925     (3)  The immunity granted by this section does not extend
926to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to a proceeding
927under this act committed by a party while physically present in
928this state to participate in the proceeding.
929     Section 29.  Section 88.3161, Florida Statutes, is amended
930to read:
931     88.3161  Special rules of evidence and procedure.-
932     (1)  The physical presence of a nonresident party who is an
933individual the petitioner in a responding tribunal of this state
934is not required for the establishment, enforcement, or
935modification of a support order or the rendition of a judgment
936determining parentage of a child.
937     (2)  An A verified petition or other comparable pleading,
938affidavit, a document substantially complying with federally
939mandated forms, or and a document incorporated by reference in
940any of them, which would not be excluded under the hearsay rule
941if given in person, is admissible in evidence if given under
942penalty of perjury oath by a party or witness residing outside
943this in another state.
944     (3)  A copy of the record of child support payments
945certified as a true copy of the original by the custodian of the
946record may be forwarded to a responding tribunal. The copy is
947evidence of facts asserted in it, and is admissible to show
948whether payments were made.
949     (4)  Copies of bills for testing for parentage of a child,
950and for prenatal and postnatal health care of the mother and
951child, furnished to the adverse party at least 10 days before
952trial, are admissible in evidence to prove the amount of the
953charges billed and that the charges were reasonable, necessary,
954and customary.
955     (5)  Documentary evidence transmitted from outside this
956another state to a tribunal of this state by telephone,
957telecopier, or other electronic means that do not provide an
958original record writing may not be excluded from evidence on an
959objection based on the means of transmission.
960     (6)  In a proceeding under this act, a tribunal of this
961state shall may permit a party or witness residing outside this
962in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone,
963audiovisual means, or other electronic means at a designated
964tribunal or other location in that state. A tribunal of this
965state shall cooperate with other tribunals of other states in
966designating an appropriate location for the deposition or
967testimony.
968     (7)  If a party called to testify at a civil hearing
969refuses to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self-
970incriminating, the trier of fact may draw an adverse inference
971from the refusal.
972     (8)  A privilege against disclosure of communications
973between spouses does not apply in a proceeding under this act.
974     (9)  The defense of immunity based on the relationship of
975husband and wife or parent and child does not apply in a
976proceeding under this act.
977     (10)  A voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, certified as
978a true copy, is admissible to establish parentage of a child.
979     Section 30.  Section 88.3171, Florida Statutes, is amended
980to read:
981     88.3171  Communications between tribunals.-A tribunal of
982this state may communicate with a tribunal outside this of
983another state in a record writing, or by telephone, electronic
984mail, or other means, to obtain information concerning the laws
985of that state, the legal effect of a judgment, decree, or order
986of that tribunal, and the status of a proceeding in the other
987state. A tribunal of this state may furnish similar information
988by similar means to a tribunal outside this of another state.
989     Section 31.  Section 88.3181, Florida Statutes, is amended
990to read:
991     88.3181  Assistance with discovery.-A tribunal of this
992state may:
993     (1)  Request a tribunal outside this of another state to
994assist in obtaining discovery.
995     (2)  Upon request, compel a person over which whom it has
996jurisdiction to respond to a discovery order issued by a
997tribunal outside this of another state.
998     Section 32.  Section 88.3191, Florida Statutes, is amended
999to read:
1000     88.3191  Receipt and disbursement of payments.-
1001     (1)  A support enforcement agency or tribunal of this state
1002shall disburse promptly any amounts received pursuant to a
1003support order, as directed by the order. The agency or tribunal
1004shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of another state
1005or a foreign country a certified statement by the custodian of
1006the record of the amounts and dates of all payments received.
1007     (2)  If neither the obligor, nor the obligee who is an
1008individual, nor the child resides in this state, upon request
1009from the support enforcement agency of this state or another
1010state, the support enforcement agency of this state or a
1011tribunal of this state shall:
1012     (a)  Direct that the support payment be made to the support
1013enforcement agency in the state in which the obligee is
1014receiving services; and
1015     (b)  Issue and send to the obligor's employer a conforming
1016income-withholding order or an administrative notice of change
1017of payee, reflecting the redirected payments.
1018     (3)  The support enforcement agency of this state receiving
1019redirected payments from another state pursuant to a law similar
1020to subsection (2) shall furnish to a requesting party or
1021tribunal of the other state a certified statement by the
1022custodian of the record of the amount and dates of all payments
1023received.
1024     Section 33.  Section 88.4011, Florida Statutes, is amended
1025to read:
1026     88.4011  Establishment of Petition to establish support
1027order.-
1028     (1)  If a support order entitled to recognition under this
1029act has not been issued, a responding tribunal of this state
1030with personal jurisdiction over the parties may issue a support
1031order if:
1032     (a)  The individual seeking the order resides outside this
1033in another state; or
1034     (b)  The support enforcement agency seeking the order is
1035located outside this in another state.
1036     (2)  The tribunal may issue a temporary child support order
1037if the tribunal determines that such an order is appropriate and
1038the individual ordered to pay is:
1039     (a)  A presumed father of the child;
1040     (b)  Petitioning to have his paternity adjudicated;
1041     (c)  Identified as the father of the child through genetic
1042testing;
1043     (d)  An alleged father who has declined to submit to
1044genetic testing;
1045     (e)  Shown by clear and convincing evidence to be the
1046father of the child;
1047     (f)  An acknowledged father as provided in s. 382.013, s.
1048382.016, or s. 742.10;
1049     (g)  The mother of the child; or
1050     (h)  An individual who has been ordered to pay child
1051support in a previous proceeding and the order has not been
1052reversed or vacated
1053     (a)  The respondent has signed a verified statement
1054acknowledging parentage;
1055     (b)  The respondent has been determined by or pursuant to
1056law to be the parent; or
1057     (c)  There is other clear and convincing evidence that the
1058respondent is the child's parent.
1059     (3)  Upon finding, after notice and opportunity to be
1060heard, that an obligor owes a duty of support, the tribunal
1061shall issue a support order directed to the obligor and may
1062issue other orders pursuant to s. 88.3051.
1063     Section 34.  Section 88.4021, Florida Statutes, is created
1064to read:
1065     88.4021  Proceeding to determine parentage.-A tribunal of
1066this state authorized to determine parentage of a child may
1067serve as a responding tribunal in a proceeding to determine
1068parentage of a child brought under this act or a law or
1069procedure substantially similar to this act.
1070     Section 35.  The Division of Statutory Revision is directed
1071to redesignate part V of chapter 88, Florida Statutes, as
1072"ENFORCEMENT OF SUPPORT ORDER OF ANOTHER STATE WITHOUT
1073REGISTRATION."
1074     Section 36.  Section 88.5011, Florida Statutes, is amended
1075to read:
1076     88.5011  Employer's receipt of income-withholding order of
1077another state.-An income-withholding order issued in another
1078state may be sent by or on behalf of the obligee, or by the
1079support enforcement agency, to the person or entity defined as
1080the obligor's employer under the income deduction law of this
1081state or payor as defined by s. 61.046, without first filing a
1082petition or comparable pleading or registering the order with a
1083tribunal of this state.
1084     Section 37.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
108588.50211, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1086     88.50211  Employer's compliance with income-withholding
1087order of another state.-
1088     (3)  Except as otherwise provided by subsection (4) and s.
108988.5031, the employer shall withhold and distribute the funds as
1090directed in the withholding order by complying with the terms of
1091the order which specify:
1092     (b)  The person or agency designated to receive payments
1093and the address to which the payments are to be forwarded;
1094     Section 38.  Section 88.5031, Florida Statutes, is amended
1095to read:
1096     88.5031  Employer's compliance with two or more multiple
1097income-withholding orders.-If the obligor's employer receives
1098two or more multiple income-withholding orders with respect to
1099the earnings of the same obligor, the employer satisfies the
1100terms of the multiple orders if the employer complies with the
1101law of the state of the obligor's principal place of employment
1102to establish the priorities for withholding and allocating
1103income withheld for two or more multiple child support obligees.
1104     Section 39.  Section 88.5041, Florida Statutes, is amended
1105to read:
1106     88.5041  Immunity from civil liability.-An employer that
1107who complies with an income-withholding order issued in another
1108state in accordance with this article is not subject to civil
1109liability to an individual or agency with regard to the
1110employer's withholding of child support from the obligor's
1111income.
1112     Section 40.  Section 88.5051, Florida Statutes, is amended
1113to read:
1114     88.5051  Penalties for noncompliance.-An employer that who
1115willfully fails to comply with an income-withholding order
1116issued by another state and received for enforcement is subject
1117to the same penalties that may be imposed for noncompliance with
1118an order issued by a tribunal of this state.
1119     Section 41.  Section 88.5061, Florida Statutes, is amended
1120to read:
1121     88.5061  Contest by obligor.-
1122     (1)  An obligor may contest the validity or enforcement of
1123an income-withholding order issued in another state and received
1124directly by an employer in this state by registering the order
1125in a tribunal of this state and filing a contest to that order
1126as provided in part VI of this chapter, or otherwise contesting
1127the order in the same manner as if the order had been issued by
1128a tribunal of this state. Section 88.6041, choice of law,
1129applies to the contest.
1130     (2)  The obligor shall give notice of the contest to:
1131     (a)  A support enforcement agency providing services to the
1132obligee;
1133     (b)  Each employer that has directly received an income-
1134withholding order relating to the obligor; and
1135     (c)  The person or agency designated to receive payments in
1136the income-withholding order, or if no person or agency is
1137designated, to the obligee.
1138     Section 42.  Subsection (1) of section 88.5071, Florida
1139Statutes, is amended to read:
1140     88.5071  Administrative enforcement of orders.-
1141     (1)  A party or support enforcement agency seeking to
1142enforce a support order or an income-withholding order, or both,
1143issued in by a tribunal of another state or a foreign support
1144order may send the documents required for registering the order
1145to a support enforcement agency of this state.
1146     Section 43.  (1)  The Division of Statutory Revision is
1147directed to redesignate part VI of chapter 88, Florida Statutes,
1148as "REGISTRATION, ENFORCEMENT, AND MODIFICATION OF SUPPORT
1149ORDER."
1150     (2)  The Division of Statutory Revision is directed to
1151divide part VI of chapter 88, Florida Statutes, into subpart A,
1152consisting of ss. 88.6011-88.6041, Florida Statutes, to be
1153entitled "Registration and Enforcement of Support Order;"
1154subpart B, consisting of ss. 88.6051-88.6081, Florida Statutes,
1155to be entitled "Contest of Validity or Enforcement;" subpart C,
1156consisting of ss. 88.6091-88.6141, Florida Statutes, to be
1157entitled "Registration and Modification of Child Support Order
1158of Another State;" and subpart D, consisting of ss. 88.6151 and
115988.6161, Florida Statutes, to be entitled "Registration and
1160Modification of Foreign Child Support Order."
1161     Section 44.  Section 88.6011, Florida Statutes, is amended
1162to read:
1163     88.6011  Registration of order for enforcement.-A support
1164order or an income-withholding order issued in by a tribunal of
1165another state or a foreign support order may be registered in
1166this state for enforcement.
1167     Section 45.  Section 88.6021, Florida Statutes, is amended
1168to read:
1169     88.6021  Procedure to register order for enforcement.-
1170     (1)  Except as otherwise provided in s. 88.7061, a support
1171order or income-withholding order of another state or a foreign
1172support order may be registered in this state by sending the
1173following records documents and information to the appropriate
1174tribunal in this state:
1175     (a)  A letter of transmittal to the tribunal requesting
1176registration and enforcement.
1177     (b)  Two copies, including one certified copy, of the order
1178all orders to be registered, including any modification of the
1179an order.
1180     (c)  A sworn statement by the person requesting party
1181seeking registration or a certified statement by the custodian
1182of the records showing the amount of any arrearage.
1183     (d)  The name of the obligor and, if known:
1184     1.  The obligor's address and social security number.
1185     2.  The name and address of the obligor's employer and any
1186other source of income of the obligor.
1187     3.  A description and the location of property of the
1188obligor in this state not exempt from execution.
1189     (e)  Except as otherwise provided in s. 88.3121, the name
1190and address of the obligee and, if applicable, the agency or
1191person to whom support payments are to be remitted.
1192     (2)  On receipt of a request for registration, the
1193registering tribunal shall cause the order to be filed as an
1194order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign support order
1195a foreign judgment, together with one copy of the documents and
1196information, regardless of their form.
1197     (3)  A petition or comparable pleading seeking a remedy
1198that must be affirmatively sought under other law of this state
1199may be filed at the same time as the request for registration or
1200later. The pleading must specify the grounds for the remedy
1201sought.
1202     (4)  If two or more orders are in effect, the person
1203requesting registration shall:
1204     (a)  Furnish to the tribunal a copy of every support order
1205asserted to be in effect in addition to the documents specified
1206in this section;
1207     (b)  Specify the order alleged to be the controlling order,
1208if any; and
1209     (c)  Specify the amount of consolidated arrears, if any.
1210     (5)  A request for a determination of which is the
1211controlling order may be filed separately or with a request for
1212registration and enforcement or for registration and
1213modification. The person requesting registration shall give
1214notice of the request to each party whose rights may be affected
1215by the determination.
1216     Section 46.  Section 88.6031, Florida Statutes, is amended
1217to read:
1218     88.6031  Effect of registration for enforcement.-
1219     (1)  A support order or income-withholding order issued in
1220another state or a foreign support order is registered when the
1221order is filed in the registering tribunal of this state.
1222     (2)  A registered support order issued in another state or
1223a foreign country is enforceable in the same manner and is
1224subject to the same procedures as an order issued by a tribunal
1225of this state.
1226     (3)  Except as otherwise provided in this act article, a
1227tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce, but may not
1228modify, a registered support order if the issuing tribunal had
1229jurisdiction.
1230     Section 47.  Section 88.6041, Florida Statutes, is amended
1231to read:
1232     88.6041  Choice of law.-
1233     (1)  Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4), the
1234law of the issuing state or foreign country governs:
1235     (a)  The nature, extent, amount, and duration of current
1236payments under a registered support order; and other obligations
1237of support and
1238     (b)  The computation and payment of arrearages and accrual
1239of interest on the arrearages under the order; and
1240     (c)  The existence and satisfaction of other obligations
1241under the support order.
1242     (2)  In a proceeding for arrears under a registered support
1243order arrearages, the statute of limitation under the laws of
1244this state or of the issuing state or foreign country, whichever
1245is longer, applies.
1246     (3)  A responding tribunal of this state shall apply the
1247procedures and remedies of this state to enforce current support
1248and collect arrears and interest due on a support order of
1249another state or foreign country registered in this state.
1250     (4)  After a tribunal of this or another state determines
1251which is the controlling order and issues an order consolidating
1252arrears, if any, a tribunal of this state shall prospectively
1253apply the law of the state or foreign country issuing the
1254controlling order, including its law on interest on arrears, on
1255current and future support, and on consolidated arrears.
1256     Section 48.  Section 88.6051, Florida Statutes, is amended
1257to read:
1258     88.6051  Notice of registration of order.-
1259     (1)  When a support order or income-withholding order
1260issued in another state or a foreign support order is
1261registered, the registering tribunal of this state shall notify
1262the nonregistering party. The notice must be accompanied by a
1263copy of the registered order and the documents and relevant
1264information accompanying the order.
1265     (2)  A The notice must inform the nonregistering party:
1266     (a)  That a registered order is enforceable as of the date
1267of registration in the same manner as an order issued by a
1268tribunal of this state.
1269     (b)  That a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement
1270of the registered order must be requested within 20 days after
1271the date of mailing or personal service of the notice, unless
1272the registered order is under s. 88.7071.
1273     (c)  That failure to contest the validity or enforcement of
1274the registered order in a timely manner will result in
1275confirmation of the order and enforcement of the order and the
1276alleged arrearages and precludes further contest of that order
1277with respect to any matter that could have been asserted.
1278     (d)  Of the amount of any alleged arrearages.
1279     (3)  If the registering party asserts that two or more
1280orders are in effect, a notice must also:
1281     (a)  Identify the two or more orders and the order alleged
1282by the registering party to be the controlling order and the
1283consolidated arrears, if any;
1284     (b)  Notify the nonregistering party of the right to a
1285determination of which is the controlling order;
1286     (c)  State that the procedures provided in subsection (2)
1287apply to the determination of which is the controlling order;
1288and
1289     (d)  State that failure to contest the validity or
1290enforcement of the order alleged to be the controlling order in
1291a timely manner may result in confirmation that the order is the
1292controlling order.
1293     (4)(3)  Upon registration of an income-withholding order
1294for enforcement, the support enforcement agency or the
1295registering tribunal shall notify the obligor's employer
1296pursuant to chapter 61 or other income deduction law of this
1297state.
1298     Section 49.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section 88.6061,
1299Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1300     88.6061  Procedure to contest validity or enforcement of
1301registered order.-
1302     (1)  A nonregistering party seeking to contest the validity
1303or enforcement of a registered order in this state shall request
1304a hearing within the time required by s. 88.6051 20 days after
1305notice of the registration. The nonregistering party may seek to
1306vacate the registration, to assert any defense to an allegation
1307of noncompliance with the registered order, or to contest the
1308remedies being sought or the amount of any alleged arrearages
1309pursuant to s. 88.6071.
1310     (2)  If the nonregistering party fails to contest the
1311validity or enforcement of the registered support order in a
1312timely manner, the order is confirmed by operation of law.
1313     Section 50.  Section 88.6071, Florida Statutes, is amended
1314to read:
1315     88.6071  Contest of registration or enforcement.-
1316     (1)  A party contesting the validity or enforcement of a
1317registered support order or seeking to vacate the registration
1318has the burden of proving one or more of the following defenses:
1319     (a)  The issuing tribunal lacked personal jurisdiction over
1320the contesting party;
1321     (b)  The order was obtained by fraud;
1322     (c)  The order has been vacated, suspended, or modified by
1323a later order;
1324     (d)  The issuing tribunal has stayed the order pending
1325appeal;
1326     (e)  There is a defense under the law of this state to the
1327remedy sought;
1328     (f)  Full or partial payment has been made; or
1329     (g)  The statute of limitation under s. 88.6041 precludes
1330enforcement of some or all of the alleged arrearages; or
1331     (h)  The alleged controlling order is not the controlling
1332order.
1333     (2)  If a party presents evidence establishing a full or
1334partial defense under subsection (1), a tribunal may stay
1335enforcement of a the registered support order, continue the
1336proceeding to permit production of additional relevant evidence,
1337and issue other appropriate orders. An uncontested portion of
1338the registered support order may be enforced by all remedies
1339available under the law of this state.
1340     (3)  If the contesting party does not establish a defense
1341under subsection (1) to the validity or enforcement of a
1342registered support the order, the registering tribunal shall
1343issue an order confirming the order.
1344     Section 51.  Section 88.6081, Florida Statutes, is amended
1345to read:
1346     88.6081  Confirmed order.-Confirmation of a registered
1347support order, whether by operation of law or after notice and
1348hearing, precludes further contest of the order with respect to
1349any matter that could have been asserted at the time of
1350registration.
1351     Section 52.  Section 88.6091, Florida Statutes, is amended
1352to read:
1353     88.6091  Procedure to register child support order of
1354another state for modification.-A party or support enforcement
1355agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a child
1356support order issued in another state shall register that order
1357in this state in the same manner provided in ss. 88.6011-88.6081
135888.6011-88.6041 if the order has not been registered. A petition
1359for modification may be filed at the same time as a request for
1360registration, or later. The pleading must specify the grounds
1361for modification.
1362     Section 53.  Section 88.6111, Florida Statutes, is amended
1363to read:
1364     88.6111  Modification of child support order of another
1365state.-
1366     (1)  If s. 88.6131 does not apply, upon petition, a
1367tribunal of this state may modify After a child support order
1368issued in another state which is has been registered in this
1369state, the responding tribunal of this state may modify that
1370order only if, s. 88.6131 does not apply and after notice and
1371hearing, the tribunal it finds that:
1372     (a)  The following requirements are met:
1373     1.  Neither the child, nor the individual obligee who is an
1374individual, nor and the obligor resides do not reside in the
1375issuing state;
1376     2.  A petitioner who is a nonresident of this state seeks
1377modification; and
1378     3.  The respondent is subject to the personal jurisdiction
1379of the tribunal of this state; or
1380     (b)  This state is the state of residence of the child, or
1381a party who is an individual, is subject to the personal
1382jurisdiction of the tribunal of this state and all of the
1383parties who are individuals have filed written consents in a
1384record in the issuing tribunal for a tribunal of this state to
1385modify the support order and assume continuing exclusive
1386jurisdiction over the order. However, if the issuing state is a
1387foreign jurisdiction that has not enacted a law or established
1388procedures substantially similar to the procedures under this
1389act, the consent otherwise required of an individual residing in
1390this state is not required for the tribunal to assume
1391jurisdiction to modify the child support order.
1392     (2)  Modification of a registered child support order is
1393subject to the same requirements, procedures, and defenses that
1394apply to the modification of an order issued by a tribunal of
1395this state and the order may be enforced and satisfied in the
1396same manner.
1397     (3)  A tribunal of this state may not modify any aspect of
1398a child support order that may not be modified under the law of
1399the issuing state, including the duration of the obligation of
1400support. If two or more tribunals have issued child support
1401orders for the same obligor and same child, the order that
1402controls and must be so recognized under s. 88.2071 establishes
1403the aspects of the support order which are nonmodifiable.
1404     (4)  In a proceeding to modify a child support order, the
1405law of the state that is determined to have issued the initial
1406controlling order governs the duration of the obligation of
1407support. The obligor's fulfillment of the duty of support
1408established by that order precludes imposition of a further
1409obligation of support by a tribunal of this state.
1410     (5)(4)  On issuance of an order by a tribunal of this state
1411modifying a child support order issued in another state, the a
1412tribunal of this state becomes the tribunal of continuing
1413exclusive jurisdiction.
1414     (6)  Notwithstanding subsections (1)-(5) and s. 88.2011(2),
1415a tribunal of this state retains jurisdiction to modify an order
1416issued by a tribunal of this state if:
1417     (a)  One party resides in another state; and
1418     (b)  The other party resides outside the United States.
1419     Section 54.  Section 88.6121, Florida Statutes, is amended
1420to read:
1421     88.6121  Recognition of order modified in another state.-If
1422a child support order issued by a tribunal of this state is
1423modified shall recognize a modification of its earlier child
1424support order by a tribunal of another state which assumed
1425jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support
1426Act, a tribunal of this state this act or a law substantially
1427similar to this act and, upon request, except as otherwise
1428provided in this act, shall:
1429     (1)  May enforce the order that was modified only as to
1430arrears and interest amounts accruing before the modification.
1431     (2)  Enforce only nonmodifiable aspects of that order.
1432     (2)(3)  May provide other appropriate relief only for
1433violations of its that order which occurred before the effective
1434date of the modification.
1435     (3)(4)  Shall recognize the modifying order of the other
1436state, upon registration, for the purpose of enforcement.
1437     Section 55.  Section 88.6151, Florida Statutes, is created
1438to read:
1439     88.6151  Jurisdiction to modify child support order of
1440foreign country.-
1441     (1)  Except as otherwise provided in s. 88.7111, if a
1442foreign country lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to
1443modify its child support order pursuant to its laws, a tribunal
1444of this state may assume jurisdiction to modify the child
1445support order and bind all individuals subject to the personal
1446jurisdiction of the tribunal whether the consent to modification
1447of a child support order otherwise required of the individual
1448pursuant to s. 88.6111 has been given or whether the individual
1449seeking modification is a resident of this state or of the
1450foreign country.
1451     (2)  An order issued by a tribunal of this state modifying
1452a foreign child support order pursuant to this section is the
1453controlling order.
1454     Section 56.  Section 88.6161, Florida Statutes, is created
1455to read:
1456     88.6161  Procedure to register child support order of
1457foreign country for modification.-A party or support enforcement
1458agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a foreign
1459child support order not under the convention may register that
1460order in this state under ss. 88.6011-88.6081 if the order has
1461not been registered. A petition for modification may be filed at
1462the same time as a request for registration, or at another time.
1463The petition must specify the grounds for modification.
1464     Section 57.  The Division of Statutory Revision is directed
1465to redesignate part VII of chapter 88, Florida Statutes, as
1466"SUPPORT PROCEEDING UNDER CONVENTION."
1467     Section 58.  Section 88.7011, Florida Statutes, is
1468repealed.
1469     Section 59.  Section 88.70111, Florida Statutes, is created
1470to read:
1471     88.70111  Definitions.-As used in this part, the term:
1472     (1)  "Application" means a request under the convention by
1473an obligee or obligor, or on behalf of a child, made through a
1474central authority for assistance from another central authority.
1475     (2)  "Central authority" means the entity designated by the
1476United States or a foreign country described in s. 88.1011(5)(d)
1477to perform the functions specified in the convention.
1478     (3)  "Convention support order" means a support order of a
1479tribunal of a foreign country described in s. 88.1011(5)(d).
1480     (4)  "Direct request" means a petition filed by an
1481individual in a tribunal of this state in a proceeding involving
1482an obligee, obligor, or child residing outside the United
1483States.
1484     (5)  "Foreign central authority" means the entity
1485designated by a foreign country described in s. 88.1011(5)(d) to
1486perform the functions specified in the convention.
1487     (6)  "Foreign support agreement":
1488     (a)  Means an agreement for support in a record that:
1489     1.  Is enforceable as a support order in the country of
1490origin;
1491     2.  Has been:
1492     a.  Formally drawn up or registered as an authentic
1493instrument by a foreign tribunal; or
1494     b.  Authenticated by or concluded, registered, or filed
1495with a foreign tribunal; and
1496     3.  May be reviewed and modified by a foreign tribunal; and
1497     (b)  Includes a maintenance arrangement or authentic
1498instrument under the convention.
1499     (7)  "United States central authority" means the Secretary
1500of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
1501     Section 60.  Section 88.7021, Florida Statutes, is created
1502to read:
1503     88.7021  Applicability.-This part applies only to a support
1504proceeding under the convention. In such a proceeding, if a
1505provision of this part is inconsistent with parts I through VI,
1506this part controls.
1507     Section 61.  Section 88.7031, Florida Statutes, is created
1508to read:
1509     88.7031  Relationship of Department of Revenue to United
1510States central authority.-The Department of Revenue is
1511recognized as the agency designated by the United States central
1512authority to perform specific functions under the convention.
1513     Section 62.  Section 88.7041, Florida Statutes, is created
1514to read:
1515     88.7041  Initiation by Department of Revenue of support
1516proceeding under convention.-
1517     (1)  In a support proceeding under this part, the
1518Department of Revenue shall:
1519     (a)  Transmit and receive applications; and
1520     (b)  Initiate or facilitate the institution of a proceeding
1521regarding an application in a tribunal of this state.
1522     (2)  The following support proceedings are available to an
1523obligee under the convention:
1524     (a)  Recognition or recognition and enforcement of a
1525foreign support order.
1526     (b)  Enforcement of a support order issued or recognized in
1527this state.
1528     (c)  Establishment of a support order if there is no
1529existing order, including, where necessary, determination of
1530parentage of a child.
1531     (d)  Establishment of a support order if recognition of a
1532foreign support order is refused under s. 88.7081(2)(b), (d), or
1533(i).
1534     (e)  Modification of a support order of a tribunal of this
1535state.
1536     (f)  Modification of a support order of a tribunal of
1537another state or a foreign country.
1538     (3)  The following support proceedings are available under
1539the convention to an obligor against whom there is an existing
1540support order:
1541     (a)  Recognition of an order suspending or limiting
1542enforcement of an existing support order of a tribunal of this
1543state.
1544     (b)  Modification of a support order of a tribunal of this
1545state.
1546     (c)  Modification of a support order of a tribunal of
1547another state or foreign country.
1548     (4)  A tribunal of this state may not require security,
1549bond, or deposit, however described, to guarantee the payment of
1550costs and expenses in proceedings under the convention.
1551     Section 63.  Section 88.7051, Florida Statutes, is created
1552to read:
1553     88.7051  Direct request.-
1554     (1)  A petitioner may file a direct request seeking
1555establishment or modification of a support order or
1556determination of parentage of a child. In the proceeding, the
1557law of this state applies.
1558     (2)  A petitioner may file a direct request in a tribunal
1559of this state seeking recognition and enforcement of a support
1560order or support agreement. In such a proceeding, the provisions
1561of ss. 88.7061-88.7131 apply.
1562     (3)  In a direct request for recognition and enforcement of
1563a convention support order or foreign support agreement:
1564     (a)  A security, bond, or deposit is not required to
1565guarantee the payment of costs and expenses; and
1566     (b)  An obligee or obligor that in the issuing country has
1567benefited from free legal assistance is entitled to benefit, at
1568least to the same extent, from any free legal assistance
1569provided for by the law of this state under the same
1570circumstances.
1571     (4)  An individual filing a direct request is not entitled
1572to assistance from the Department of Revenue.
1573     (5)  This part does not prevent the application of laws of
1574this state that provide simplified, more expeditious rules
1575regarding a direct request for recognition and enforcement of a
1576foreign support order or foreign support agreement.
1577     Section 64.  Section 88.7061, Florida Statutes, is created
1578to read:
1579     88.7061  Registration of convention support order.-
1580     (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this part, a party who
1581is an individual or a support enforcement agency seeking
1582recognition of a convention support order shall register the
1583order in this state as provided in part VI of this chapter.
1584     (2)  Notwithstanding ss. 88.3111 and 88.6021(1), a request
1585for registration of a convention support order must be
1586accompanied by the following:
1587     (a)  A complete text of the support order, or an abstract
1588or extract of the support order drawn up by the issuing foreign
1589tribunal, which may be in the form recommended by the Hague
1590Conference on Private International Law.
1591     (b)  A record stating that the support order is enforceable
1592in the issuing country.
1593     (c)  If the respondent did not appear and was not
1594represented in the proceedings in the issuing country, a record
1595attesting, as appropriate, either that the respondent had proper
1596notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard, or
1597that the respondent had proper notice of the support order and
1598the opportunity to be heard in a challenge or appeal on fact or
1599law before a tribunal.
1600     (d)  A record showing the amount of any arrears, and the
1601date the amount was calculated.
1602     (e)  A record showing a requirement for automatic
1603adjustment of the amount of support, if any, and the information
1604necessary to make the appropriate calculations, if necessary.
1605     (f)  A record showing the extent to which the applicant
1606received free legal assistance in the issuing country.
1607     (3)  A request for registration of a convention support
1608order may seek recognition and partial enforcement of the order.
1609     (4)  A tribunal of this state may vacate the registration
1610of a convention support order without the filing of a contest
1611under s. 88.7071 only if, acting on its own motion, the tribunal
1612finds that recognition and enforcement of the order would be
1613manifestly incompatible with public policy.
1614     (5)  The tribunal shall promptly notify the parties of the
1615registration or the order vacating the registration of a
1616convention support order.
1617     Section 65.  Section 88.7071, Florida Statutes, is created
1618to read:
1619     88.7071  Contest of registered convention support order.-
1620     (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this part, ss.
162188.6051-88.6081 apply to a contest of a registered convention
1622support order.
1623     (2)  A party contesting a registered convention support
1624order shall file a contest not later than 30 days after notice
1625of the registration, but if the contesting party does not reside
1626in the United States, the contest must be filed not later than
162760 days after notice of the registration.
1628     (3)  If the nonregistering party fails to contest the
1629registered convention support order by the time specified in
1630subsection (2), the order is enforceable.
1631     (4)  A contest of a registered convention support order may
1632be based only on grounds set forth in s. 88.7081. The contesting
1633party bears the burden of proof.
1634     (5)  In a contest of a registered convention support order,
1635a tribunal of this state:
1636     (a)  Is bound by the findings of fact on which the foreign
1637tribunal based its jurisdiction; and
1638     (b)  May not review the merits of the order.
1639     (6)  A tribunal of this state deciding a contest of a
1640registered convention support order shall promptly notify the
1641parties of its decision.
1642     (7)  A challenge or appeal, if any, does not stay the
1643enforcement of a convention support order unless there are
1644exceptional circumstances.
1645     Section 66.  Section 88.7081, Florida Statutes, is created
1646to read:
1647     88.7081  Recognition and enforcement of convention support
1648order.-
1649     (1)  Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), a
1650tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce a registered
1651convention support order.
1652     (2)  The following grounds are the only grounds on which a
1653tribunal of this state may refuse recognition and enforcement of
1654a registered convention support order:
1655     (a)  Recognition and enforcement of the order is manifestly
1656incompatible with public policy, including the failure of the
1657issuing tribunal to observe minimum standards of due process,
1658which include notice and an opportunity to be heard;
1659     (b)  The issuing tribunal lacked personal jurisdiction
1660consistent with s. 88.2011;
1661     (c)  The order is not enforceable in the issuing country;
1662     (d)  The order was obtained by fraud in connection with a
1663matter of procedure;
1664     (e)  A record transmitted in accordance with s. 88.7061
1665lacks authenticity or integrity;
1666     (f)  A proceeding between the same parties and having the
1667same purpose is pending before a tribunal of this state and that
1668proceeding was the first to be filed;
1669     (g)  The order is incompatible with a more recent support
1670order involving the same parties and having the same purpose if
1671the more recent support order is entitled to recognition and
1672enforcement under this act in this state;
1673     (h)  Payment, to the extent alleged arrears have been paid
1674in whole or in part;
1675     (i)  In a case in which the respondent neither appeared nor
1676was represented in the proceeding in the issuing foreign
1677country:
1678     1.  If the law of that country provides for prior notice of
1679proceedings, the respondent did not have proper notice of the
1680proceedings and an opportunity to be heard; or
1681     2.  If the law of that country does not provide for prior
1682notice of the proceedings, the respondent did not have proper
1683notice of the order and an opportunity to be heard in a
1684challenge or appeal on fact or law before a tribunal; or
1685     (j)  The order was made in violation of s. 88.7111.
1686     (3)  If a tribunal of this state does not recognize a
1687convention support order under paragraph (2)(b), (d), (f), or
1688(i):
1689     (a)  The tribunal may not dismiss the proceeding without
1690allowing a reasonable time for a party to request the
1691establishment of a new convention support order; and
1692     (b)  The Department of Revenue shall take all appropriate
1693measures to request a child support order for the obligee if the
1694application for recognition and enforcement was received under
1695s. 88.7041.
1696     Section 67.  Section 88.7091, Florida Statutes, is created
1697to read:
1698     88.7091  Partial enforcement.-If a tribunal of this state
1699does not recognize and enforce a convention support order in its
1700entirety, it shall enforce any severable part of the order. An
1701application or direct request may seek recognition and partial
1702enforcement of a convention support order.
1703     Section 68.  Section 88.7101, Florida Statutes, is created
1704to read:
1705     88.7101  Foreign support agreement.-
1706     (1)  Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4), a
1707tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce a foreign
1708support agreement registered in this state.
1709     (2)  An application or direct request for recognition and
1710enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be accompanied
1711by:
1712     (a)  A complete text of the foreign support agreement; and
1713     (b)  A record stating that the foreign support agreement is
1714enforceable as an order of support in the issuing country.
1715     (3)  A tribunal of this state may vacate the registration
1716of a foreign support agreement only if, acting on its own
1717motion, the tribunal finds that recognition and enforcement
1718would be manifestly incompatible with public policy.
1719     (4)  In a contest of a foreign support agreement, a
1720tribunal of this state may refuse recognition and enforcement of
1721the agreement if it finds:
1722     (a)  Recognition and enforcement of the agreement is
1723manifestly incompatible with public policy;
1724     (b)  The agreement was obtained by fraud or falsification;
1725     (c)  The agreement is incompatible with a support order
1726issued between the same parties and having the same purpose in
1727this state, another state, or a foreign country if the support
1728order is entitled to recognition in this state; or
1729     (d)  The record submitted under subsection (2) lacks
1730authenticity or integrity.
1731     (5)  A proceeding for recognition and enforcement of a
1732foreign support agreement must be suspended during the pendency
1733of a challenge to or appeal of the agreement before a tribunal
1734of another state or a foreign country.
1735     Section 69.  Section 88.7111, Florida Statutes, is created
1736to read:
1737     88.7111  Modification of convention child support order.-
1738     (1)  A tribunal of this state may not modify a convention
1739child support order if the obligee remains a resident of the
1740foreign country where the support order was issued unless:
1741     (a)  The obligee submits to the jurisdiction of a tribunal
1742of this state, either expressly or by defending on the merits of
1743the case without objecting to the jurisdiction at the first
1744available opportunity; or
1745     (b)  The foreign tribunal lacks or refuses to exercise
1746jurisdiction to modify its support order or issue a new support
1747order.
1748     (2)  If a tribunal of this state does not modify a
1749convention child support order because the order is not
1750recognized in this state, the provisions of s. 88.7081(3) apply.
1751     Section 70.  Section 88.7121, Florida Statutes, is created
1752to read:
1753     88.7121  Personal information; limit on use.-Personal
1754information gathered or transmitted under this part may be used
1755only for the purposes for which it was gathered or transmitted.
1756     Section 71.  Section 88.7131, Florida Statutes, is created
1757to read:
1758     88.7131  Record in original language; English translation.-
1759A record filed with a tribunal of this state under this part
1760must be in the original language and, if not in English, must be
1761accompanied by an English translation.
1762     Section 72.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
176388.8011, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1764     88.8011  Grounds for rendition.-
1765     (2)  The Governor of this state may:
1766     (b)  On the demand of by the Governor of another state,
1767surrender an individual found in this state who is charged
1768criminally in the other state with having failed to provide for
1769the support of an obligee.
1770     Section 73.  Section 88.9011, Florida Statutes, is amended
1771to read:
1772     88.9011  Uniformity of application and construction.-In
1773applying and construing this uniform act, consideration must be
1774given to the need to promote uniformity of This act shall be
1775applied and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make
1776uniform the law with respect to its the subject matter of this
1777act among states that enact enacting it.
1778     Section 74.  Section 88.9021, Florida Statutes, is created
1779to read:
1780     88.9021  Transitional provision.-This act applies to
1781proceedings begun on or after the effective date of this act to
1782establish a support order or determine parentage of a child or
1783to register, recognize, enforce, or modify a prior support
1784order, determination, or agreement, whenever issued or entered.
1785     Section 75.  Section 88.9031, Florida Statutes, is amended
1786to read:
1787     88.9031  Severability clause.-If any provision of this act
1788or its application to any person or circumstance is held
1789invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or
1790applications of this act which can be given effect without the
1791invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions
1792of this act are severable.
1793     Section 76.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section
179461.13, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1795     61.13  Support of children; parenting and time-sharing;
1796powers of court.-
1797     (7)(a)  Each party to any paternity or support proceeding
1798is required to file with the tribunal as defined in s.
179988.1011(22) and State Case Registry upon entry of an order, and
1800to update as appropriate, information on location and identity
1801of the party, including social security number, residential and
1802mailing addresses, telephone number, driver's license number,
1803and name, address, and telephone number of employer. Each party
1804to any paternity or child support proceeding in a non-Title IV-D
1805case shall meet the above requirements for updating the tribunal
1806and State Case Registry.
1807     Section 77.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section
1808827.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1809     827.06  Nonsupport of dependents.-
1810     (5)
1811     (b)  The element of knowledge may be proven by evidence
1812that a court or tribunal as defined by s. 88.1011(22) has
1813entered an order that obligates the defendant to provide the
1814support.
1815     Section 78.  Upon the passage of this bill, the Department
1816of Revenue is directed to apply for a waiver from the Federal
1817Office of Child Support Enforcement pursuant to the state plan
1818requirement under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
1819     Section 79.  This act shall take effect upon the earlier of
182090 days following Congress amending 42 U.S.C. s. 666(f) to allow
1821or require states to adopt the 2008 version of the Uniform
1822Interstate Family Support Act, or 90 days following the state
1823obtaining a waiver of its state plan requirement under Title IV-
1824D of the Social Security Act.


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