§ 81-8-307 — Duties of child support services agency.

(1) A child support services agency of this state, upon request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under this chapter.
(2) A child support services agency of this state that is providing services to the petitioner shall:
(2)(a) take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate tribunal of this state, another state, or a foreign country to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent;
(2)(b) request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time, and place for a hearing;
(2)(c) make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant information, including information as to income and property of the parties;
(2)(d) within 10 days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of notice in a record from an initiating, responding, or registering tribunal, send a copy of the notice to the petitioner;
(2)(e) within 10 days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of communication in a record from the respondent or the respondent's attorney, send a copy of the communication to the petitioner; and
(2)(f) notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the respondent cannot be obtained.
(3) A child support services agency of this state that requests registration of a child support order in this state for enforcement or for modification shall make reasonable efforts:
(3)(a) to ensure that the order to be registered is the controlling order; or
(3)(b) if two or more child support orders exist and the identity of the controlling order has not been determined, to ensure that a request for such a determination is made in a tribunal having jurisdiction to do so.
(4) A child support services agency of this state that requests registration and enforcement of a support order, arrears, or judgment stated in a foreign currency shall convert the amounts stated in the foreign currency into the equivalent amounts in dollars under the applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported.
(5) A child support services agency of this state shall issue or request a tribunal of this state to issue a child support order and an income-withholding order that redirects payment of current support, arrears, and interest if requested to do so by a child support services agency of another state in accordance with Section 81-8-319.
(6) This chapter does not create or negate a relationship of attorney and client or other fiduciary relationship between a child support services agency or the attorney for the agency and the individual being assisted by the agency.

Legislative History

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 426, 2025 General Session