CHAPTER 137
(HB 1193)
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.
ENTITLED, An Act to
adopt the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act and
to repeal the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section
1.
Section 101.
This Act may be cited as the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and
Enforcement Act.
Section
2.
Section 102.
In this Act:
(1) "Abandoned" means left without provision for reasonable and necessary care or
supervision.
(2) "Child" means an individual who has not attained eighteen years of age.
(3) "Child-custody determination" means a judgment, decree, or other order of a court
providing for the legal custody, physical custody, or visitation with respect to a child.
The term includes a permanent, temporary, initial, and modification order. The term
does not include an order relating to child support or other monetary obligation of an
individual.
(4) "Child-custody proceeding" means a proceeding in which legal custody, physical
custody, or visitation with respect to a child is an issue. The term includes a proceeding
for divorce, separation, neglect, abuse, dependency, guardianship, paternity, termination
of parental rights, and protection from domestic violence, in which the issue may
appear. The term does not include a proceeding involving juvenile delinquency,
contractual emancipation, or enforcement under Article 3.
(5) "Commencement" means the filing of the first pleading in a proceeding.
(6) "Court" means an entity authorized under the law of a state to establish, enforce, or
modify a child-custody determination.
(7) "Home state" means the state in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as
a parent for at least six consecutive months immediately before the commencement of
a child-custody proceeding. In the case of a child less than six months of age, the term
means the state in which the child lived from birth with any of the persons mentioned.
A period of temporary absence of any of the mentioned persons is part of the period.
(8) "Initial determination" means the first child-custody determination concerning a
particular child.
(9) "Issuing court" means the court that makes a child-custody determination for which
enforcement is sought under this Act.
(10) "Issuing state" means the state in which a child-custody determination is made.
(11) "Modification" means a child-custody determination that changes, replaces, supersedes,
or is otherwise made after a previous determination concerning the same child, whether
or not it is made by the court that made the previous determination.
(12) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership,
limited liability company, association, joint venture, government; governmental
subdivision, agency, or instrumentality; public corporation; or any other legal or
commercial entity.
(13) "Person acting as a parent" means a person, other than a parent, who:
(A) Has physical custody of the child or has had physical custody for a period of six
consecutive months, including any temporary absence, within one year
immediately before the commencement of a child-custody proceeding; and
(B) Has been awarded legal custody by a court or claims a right to legal custody
under the law of this state.
(14) "Physical custody" means the physical care and supervision of a child.
(15) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the
United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States.
(16) "Tribe" means an Indian tribe or band, or Alaskan Native village, which is recognized
by federal law or formally acknowledged by a state.
(17) "Warrant" means an order issued by a court authorizing law enforcement officers to take
physical custody of a child.
Section
3.
Section 103.
This Act does not govern an adoption proceeding or a proceeding
pertaining to the authorization of emergency medical care for a child.
Section
4.
Section 104.
(a) A child-custody proceeding that pertains to an Indian child as
defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq., is not subject to this Act to the
extent that it is governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act.
(b) A court of this state shall treat a tribe as if it were a state of the United States for the
purpose of applying Articles 1 and 2.
(c) A child-custody determination made by a tribe under factual circumstances in substantial
conformity with the jurisdictional standards of this Act must be recognized and enforced under
Article 3.
Section
5.
Section 105.
(a) A court of this state shall treat a foreign country as if it were a state
of the United States for the purpose of applying Articles 1 and 2.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), a child-custody determination made in a
foreign country under factual circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional
standards of this Act must be recognized and enforced under Article 3.
(c) A court of this state need not apply this Act if the child custody law of a foreign country
violates fundamental principles of human rights.
Section
6.
Section 106.
A child-custody determination made by a court of this state that had
jurisdiction under this Act binds all persons who have been served in accordance with the laws of
this state or notified in accordance with section 108 of this Act or who have submitted to the
jurisdiction of the court, and who have been given an opportunity to be heard. As to those persons,
the determination is conclusive as to all decided issues of law and fact except to the extent the
determination is modified.
Section
7.
Section 107.
If a question of existence or exercise of jurisdiction under this Act is
raised in a child-custody proceeding, the question, upon request of a party, must be given priority
on the calendar and handled expeditiously.
Section
8.
Section 108.
(a) Notice required for the exercise of jurisdiction when a person is
outside this state may be given in a manner prescribed by the law of this state for service of process
or by the law of the state in which the service is made. Notice must be given in a manner
reasonably calculated to give actual notice but may be by publication if other means are not
effective.
(b) Proof of service may be made in the manner prescribed by the law of this state or by the law
of the state in which the service is made.
(c) Notice is not required for the exercise of jurisdiction with respect to a person who submits
to the jurisdiction of the court.
Section
9.
Section 109.
(a) A party to a child-custody proceeding, including a modification
proceeding, or a petitioner or respondent in a proceeding to enforce or register a child-custody
determination, is not subject to personal jurisdiction in this state for another proceeding or purpose
solely by reason of having participated, or of having been physically present for the purpose of
participating, in the proceeding.
(b) A person who is subject to personal jurisdiction in this state on a basis other than physical
presence is not immune from service of process in this state. A party present in this state who is
subject to the jurisdiction of another state is not immune from service of process allowable under
the laws of that state.
(c) The immunity granted by subsection (a) does not extend to civil litigation based on acts
unrelated to the participation in a proceeding under this Act committed by an individual while
present in this state.
Section
10.
Section 110.
(a) A court of this state may communicate with a court in another state
concerning a proceeding arising under this Act.
(b) The court may allow the parties to participate in the communication. If the parties are not
able to participate in the communication, they must be given the opportunity to present facts and
legal arguments before a decision on jurisdiction is made.
(c) Communication between courts on schedules, calendars, court records, and similar matters
may occur without informing the parties. A record need not be made of the communication.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), a record must be made of a communication
under this section. The parties must be informed promptly of the communication and granted
access to the record.
(e) For the purposes of this section, "record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible
medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
Section
11.
Section 111.
(a) In addition to other procedures available to a party, a party to a
child-custody proceeding may offer testimony of witnesses who are located in another state,
including testimony of the parties and the child, by deposition or other means allowable in this
state for testimony taken in another state. The court on its own motion may order that the testimony
of a person be taken in another state and may prescribe the manner in which and the terms upon
which the testimony is taken.
(b) A court of this state may permit an individual residing in another state to be deposed or to
testify by telephone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means before a designated court or at
another location in that state. A court of this state shall cooperate with courts of other states in
designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.
(c) Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a court of this state by
technological means that do not produce an original writing may not be excluded from evidence
on an objection based on the means of transmission.
Section
12.
Section 112.
(a) A court of this state may request the appropriate court of another
state to:
(1) Hold an evidentiary hearing;
(2) Order a person to produce or give evidence pursuant to procedures of that state;
(3) Order that an evaluation be made with respect to the custody of a child involved in a
pending proceeding;
(4) Forward to the court of this state a certified copy of the transcript of the record of the
hearing, the evidence otherwise presented, and any evaluation prepared in compliance
with the request; and
(5) Order a party to a child-custody proceeding or any person having physical custody of
the child to appear in the proceeding with or without the child.
(b) Upon request of a court of another state, a court of this state may hold a hearing or enter
an order described in subsection (a).
(c) Travel and other necessary and reasonable expenses incurred under subsections (a) and (b)
may be assessed against the parties according to the law of this state.
(d) A court of this state shall preserve the pleadings, orders, decrees, records of hearings,
evaluations, and other pertinent records with respect to a child-custody proceeding until the child
attains eighteen years of age. Upon appropriate request by a court or law enforcement official of
another state, the court shall forward a certified copy of those records.
Section
13.
Section 201.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in section 204 of this Act, a court
of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial child-custody determination only if:
(1) This state is the home state of the child on the date of the commencement of the
proceeding, or was the home state of the child within six months before the
commencement of the proceeding and the child is absent from this state but a parent or
person acting as a parent continues to live in this state;
(2) A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under paragraph (1), or a court of the
home state of the child has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that this state
is the more appropriate forum under section 207 or 208 of this Act, and:
(A) The child and the child's parents, or the child and at least one parent or a person
acting as a parent, have a significant connection with this state other than mere
physical presence; and
(B) Substantial evidence is available in this state concerning the child's care,
protection, training, and personal relationships;
(3) All courts having jurisdiction under paragraph (1) or (2) have declined to exercise
jurisdiction on the ground that a court of this state is the more appropriate forum to
determine the custody of the child under section 207 or 208 of this Act; or
(4) No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in
paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
(b) Subsection (a) is the exclusive jurisdictional basis for making a child-custody determination
by a court of this state.
(c) Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child is not necessary or
sufficient to make a child-custody determination.
Section
14.
Section 202.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in section 204 of this Act, a court
of this state which has made a child-custody determination consistent with section 201 or 203 of
this Act has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over the determination until:
(1) A court of this state determines that neither the child, nor the child and one parent, nor
the child and a person acting as a parent have a significant connection with this state and
that substantial evidence is no longer available in this state concerning the child's care,
protection, training, and personal relationships; or
(2) A court of this state or a court of another state determines that the child, the child's
parents, and any person acting as a parent do not presently reside in this state.
(b) A court of this state which has made a child-custody determination and does not have
exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under this section may modify that determination only if it has
jurisdiction to make an initial determination under section 201 of this Act.
Section
15.
Section 203.
Except as otherwise provided in section 204 of this Act, a court of this
state may not modify a child-custody determination made by a court of another state unless a court
of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial determination under section 201(a)(1) or (2) of this
Act and:
(1) The court of the other state determines it no longer has exclusive, continuing
jurisdiction under section 202 of this Act or that a court of this state would be a more
convenient forum under section 207 of this Act; or
(2) A court of this state or a court of the other state determines that the child, the child's
parents, and any person acting as a parent do not presently reside in the other state.
Section
16.
Section 204.
(a) A court of this state has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the
child is present in this state and the child has been abandoned or it is necessary in an emergency
to protect the child because the child, or a sibling or parent of the child, is subjected to or
threatened with mistreatment or abuse.
(b) If there is no previous child-custody determination that is entitled to be enforced under this
Act and a child-custody proceeding has not been commenced in a court of a state having
jurisdiction under sections 201 to 203, inclusive, of this Act, a child-custody determination made
under this section remains in effect until an order is obtained from a court of a state having
jurisdiction under sections 201 to 203, inclusive, of this Act. If a child-custody proceeding has not
been or is not commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under sections 201 to 203,
inclusive, of this Act, a child-custody determination made under this section becomes a final
determination, if it so provides and this state becomes the home state of the child.
(c) If there is a previous child-custody determination that is entitled to be enforced under this
Act, or a child-custody proceeding has been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction
under sections 201 to 203, inclusive, of this Act, any order issued by a court of this state under this
section must specify in the order a period that the court considers adequate to allow the person
seeking an order to obtain an order from the state having jurisdiction under sections 201 to 203,
inclusive, of this Act. The order issued in this state remains in effect until an order is obtained from
the other state within the period specified or the period expires.
(d) A court of this state which has been asked to make a child-custody determination under this
section, upon being informed that a child-custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child-
custody determination has been made by, a court of a state having jurisdiction under sections 201
to 203, inclusive, of this Act, shall immediately communicate with the other court. A court of this
state which is exercising jurisdiction pursuant to sections 201 to 203, inclusive, of this Act, upon
being informed that a child-custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child-custody
determination has been made by, a court of another state under a statute similar to this section shall
immediately communicate with the court of that state to resolve the emergency, protect the safety
of the parties and the child, and determine a period for the duration of the temporary order.
Section
17.
Section 205.
(a) Before a child-custody determination is made under this Act,
notice and an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the standards of section 108 of this Act
must be given to all persons entitled to notice under the law of this state as in child-custody
proceedings between residents of this state, any parent whose parental rights have not been
previously terminated, and any person having physical custody of the child.
(b) This Act does not govern the enforceability of a child-custody determination made without
notice or an opportunity to be heard.
(c) The obligation to join a party and the right to intervene as a party in a child-custody
proceeding under this Act are governed by the law of this state as in child-custody proceedings
between residents of this state.
Section
18.
Section 206.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in section 204 of this Act, a court
of this state may not exercise its jurisdiction under this article if, at the time of the commencement
of the proceeding, a proceeding concerning the custody of the child has been commenced in a court
of another state having jurisdiction substantially in conformity with this Act, unless the proceeding
has been terminated or is stayed by the court of the other state because a court of this state is a
more convenient forum under section 207 of this Act.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in section 204 of this Act, a court of this state, before hearing
a child-custody proceeding, shall examine the court documents and other information supplied by
the parties pursuant to section 209 of this Act. If the court determines that a child-custody
proceeding has been commenced in a court in another state having jurisdiction substantially in
accordance with this Act, the court of this state shall stay its proceeding and communicate with the
court of the other state. If the court of the state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with
this Act does not determine that the court of this state is a more appropriate forum, the court of this
state shall dismiss the proceeding.
(c) In a proceeding to modify a child-custody determination, a court of this state shall
determine whether a proceeding to enforce the determination has been commenced in another state.
If a proceeding to enforce a child-custody determination has been commenced in another state, the
court may:
(1) Stay the proceeding for modification pending the entry of an order of a court of the
other state enforcing, staying, denying, or dismissing the proceeding for enforcement;
(2) Enjoin the parties from continuing with the proceeding for enforcement; or
(3) Proceed with the modification under conditions it considers appropriate.
Section
19.
Section 207.
(a) A court of this state which has jurisdiction under this Act to make
a child-custody determination may decline to exercise its jurisdiction at any time if it determines
that it is an inconvenient forum under the circumstances and that a court of another state is a more
appropriate forum. The issue of inconvenient forum may be raised upon motion of a party, the
court's own motion, or request of another court.
(b) Before determining whether it is an inconvenient forum, a court of this state shall consider
whether it is appropriate for a court of another state to exercise jurisdiction. For this purpose, the
court shall allow the parties to submit information and shall consider all relevant factors, including:
(1) Whether domestic violence has occurred and is likely to continue in the future and
which state could best protect the parties and the child;
(2) The length of time the child has resided outside this state;
(3) The distance between the court in this state and the court in the state that would assume
jurisdiction;
(4) The relative financial circumstances of the parties;
(5) Any agreement of the parties as to which state should assume jurisdiction;
(6) The nature and location of the evidence required to resolve the pending litigation,
including testimony of the child;
(7) The ability of the court of each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the
procedures necessary to present the evidence; and
(8) The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the pending
litigation.
(c) If a court of this state determines that it is an inconvenient forum and that a court of another
state is a more appropriate forum, it shall stay the proceedings upon condition that a child-custody
proceeding be promptly commenced in another designated state and may impose any other
condition the court considers just and proper.
(d) A court of this state may decline to exercise its jurisdiction under this Act if a child-custody
determination is incidental to an action for divorce or another proceeding while still retaining
jurisdiction over the divorce or other proceeding.
Section
20.
Section 208.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in section 204 of this Act, if a court
of this state has jurisdiction under this Act because a person seeking to invoke its jurisdiction has
engaged in unjustifiable conduct, the court shall decline to exercise its jurisdiction unless:
(1) The parents and all persons acting as parents have acquiesced in the exercise of
jurisdiction;
(2) A court of the state otherwise having jurisdiction under sections 201 to 203, inclusive,
of this Act determines that this state is a more appropriate forum under section 207 of
this Act; or
(3) No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in
sections 201 to 203, inclusive, of this Act.
(b) If a court of this state declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection (a), it may
fashion an appropriate remedy to ensure the safety of the child and prevent a repetition of the
unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a child-custody proceeding is
commenced in a court having jurisdiction under sections 201 to 203, inclusive, of this Act.
(c) If a court dismisses a petition or stays a proceeding because it declines to exercise its
jurisdiction pursuant to subsection (a), it shall assess against the party seeking to invoke its
jurisdiction necessary and reasonable expenses including costs, communication expenses,
attorney's fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses, and child care during
the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees are sought establishes that the
assessment would be clearly inappropriate. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses
against this state unless authorized by law other than this Act.
Section
21.
Section 209.
(a) In a child-custody proceeding, each party, in its first pleading or
in an attached affidavit, shall give information, if reasonably ascertainable, under oath as to the
child's present address or whereabouts, the places where the child has lived during the last five
years, and the names and present addresses of the persons with whom the child has lived during
that period. The pleading or affidavit must state whether the party:
(1) Has participated, as a party or witness or in any other capacity, in any other proceeding
concerning the custody of or visitation with the child and, if so, identify the court, the
case number, and the date of the child-custody determination, if any;
(2) Knows of any proceeding that could affect the current proceeding, including
proceedings for enforcement and proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective
orders, termination of parental rights, and adoptions and, if so, identify the court, the
case number, and the nature of the proceeding; and
(3) Knows the names and addresses of any person not a party to the proceeding who has
physical custody of the child or claims rights of legal custody or physical custody of, or
visitation with, the child and, if so, the names and addresses of those persons.
(b) If the information required by subsection (a) is not furnished, the court, upon motion of a
party or its own motion, may stay the proceeding until the information is furnished.
(c) If the declaration as to any of the items described in subsection (a) is in the affirmative, the
declarant shall give additional information under oath as required by the court. The court may
examine the parties under oath as to details of the information furnished and other matters
pertinent to the court's jurisdiction and the disposition of the case.
(d) Each party has a continuing duty to inform the court of any proceeding in this or any other
state that could affect the current proceeding.
(e) If a party alleges in an affidavit or a pleading under oath that the health, safety, or liberty
of a party or child would be jeopardized by disclosure of identifying information, the information
must be sealed and may not be disclosed to the other party or the public unless the court orders the
disclosure to be made after a hearing in which the court takes into consideration the health, safety,
or liberty of the party or child and determines that the disclosure is in the interest of justice.
Section
22.
Section 210.
(a) In a child-custody proceeding in this state, the court may order a
party to the proceeding who is in this state to appear before the court in person with or without the
child. The court may order any person who is in this state and who has physical custody or control
of the child to appear in person with the child.
(b) If a party to a child-custody proceeding whose presence is desired by the court is outside
this state, the court may order that a notice given pursuant to section 108 of this Act include a
statement directing the party to appear in person with or without the child and informing the party
that failure to appear may result in a decision adverse to the party.
(c) The court may enter any orders necessary to ensure the safety of the child and of any person
ordered to appear under this section.
(d) If a party to a child-custody proceeding who is outside this state is directed to appear under
subsection (b) or desires to appear personally before the court with or without the child, the court
may require another party to pay reasonable and necessary travel and other expenses of the party
so appearing and of the child.
Section
23.
Section 301.
In this article:
(1) "Petitioner" means a person who seeks enforcement of an order for return of a child
under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or
enforcement of a child-custody determination.
(2) "Respondent" means a person against whom a proceeding has been commenced for
enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague Convention on the Civil
Aspects of International Child Abduction or enforcement of a child-custody
determination.
Section
24.
Section 302.
Under this article a court of this state may enforce an order for the
return of the child made under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child
Abduction as if it were a child-custody determination.
Section
25.
Section 303.
(a) A court of this state shall recognize and enforce a child-custody
determination of a court of another state if the latter court exercised jurisdiction in substantial
conformity with this Act or the determination was made under factual circumstances meeting the
jurisdictional standards of this Act and the determination has not been modified in accordance with
this Act.
(b) A court of this state may utilize any remedy available under other law of this state to
enforce a child-custody determination made by a court of another state. The remedies provided in
this article are cumulative and do not affect the availability of other remedies to enforce a child-
custody determination.
Section
26.
Section 304.
(a) A court of this state which does not have jurisdiction to modify
a child-custody determination, may issue a temporary order enforcing:
(1) A visitation schedule made by a court of another state; or
(2) The visitation provisions of a child-custody determination of another state that does not
provide for a specific visitation schedule.
(b) If a court of this state makes an order under subsection (a)(2), it shall specify in the order
a period that it considers adequate to allow the petitioner to obtain an order from a court having
jurisdiction under the criteria specified in Article 2. The order remains in effect until an order is
obtained from the other court or the period expires.
Section
27.
Section 305.
(a) A child-custody determination issued by a court of another state
may be registered in this state, with or without a simultaneous request for enforcement, by sending
to the appropriate court in this state:
(1) A letter or other document requesting registration;
(2) Two copies, including one certified copy, of the determination sought to be registered,
and a statement under penalty of perjury that to the best of the knowledge and belief of
the person seeking registration the order has not been modified; and
(3) Except as otherwise provided in section 209 of this Act, the name and address of the
person seeking registration and any parent or person acting as a parent who has been
awarded custody or visitation in the child-custody determination sought to be registered.
(b) On receipt of the documents required by subsection (a), the registering court shall:
(1) Cause the determination to be filed as a foreign judgment, together with one copy of any
accompanying documents and information, regardless of their form; and
(2) Serve notice upon the persons named pursuant to subsection (a)(3) and provide them
with an opportunity to contest the registration in accordance with this section.
(c) The notice required by subsection (b)(2) must state that:
(1) A registered determination is enforceable as of the date of the registration in the same
manner as a determination issued by a court of this state;
(2) A hearing to contest the validity of the registered determination must be requested
within twenty days after service of notice; and
(3) Failure to contest the registration will result in confirmation of the child-custody
determination and preclude further contest of that determination with respect to any
matter that could have been asserted.
(d) A person seeking to contest the validity of a registered order must request a hearing within
twenty days after service of the notice. At that hearing, the court shall confirm the registered order
unless the person contesting registration establishes that:
(1) The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Article 2;
(2) The child-custody determination sought to be registered has been vacated, stayed, or
modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2; or
(3) The person contesting registration was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in
accordance with the standards of section 108 of this Act, in the proceedings before the
court that issued the order for which registration is sought.
(e) If a timely request for a hearing to contest the validity of the registration is not made, the
registration is confirmed as a matter of law and the person requesting registration and all persons
served must be notified of the confirmation.
(f) Confirmation of a registered order, whether by operation of law or after notice and hearing,
precludes further contest of the order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted at
the time of registration.
Section
28.
Section 306.
(a) A court of this state may grant any relief normally available under
the law of this state to enforce a registered child-custody determination made by a court of another
state.
(b) A court of this state shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, except in accordance
with Article 2, a registered child-custody determination of a court of another state.
Section
29.
Section 307.
If a proceeding for enforcement under this article is commenced in
a court of this state and the court determines that a proceeding to modify the determination is
pending in a court of another state having jurisdiction to modify the determination under Article
2, the enforcing court shall immediately communicate with the modifying court. The proceeding
for enforcement continues unless the enforcing court, after consultation with the modifying court,
stays or dismisses the proceeding.
Section
30.
Section 308.
(a) A petition under this article must be verified. Certified copies of
all orders sought to be enforced and of any order confirming registration must be attached to the
petition. A copy of a certified copy of an order may be attached instead of the original.
(b) A petition for enforcement of a child-custody determination must state:
(1) Whether the court that issued the determination identified the jurisdictional basis it
relied upon in exercising jurisdiction and, if so, what the basis was;
(2) Whether the determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed,
or modified by a court whose decision must be enforced under this Act and, if so,
identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding;
(3) Whether any proceeding has been commenced that could affect the current proceeding,
including proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders, termination of
parental rights, and adoptions and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the
nature of the proceeding;
(4) The present physical address of the child and the respondent, if known;
(5) Whether relief in addition to the immediate physical custody of the child and attorney's
fees is sought, including a request for assistance from law enforcement officials and, if
so, the relief sought; and
(6) If the child-custody determination has been registered and confirmed under section 305
of this Act, the date and place of registration.
(c) Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall issue an order directing the respondent to
appear in person with or without the child at a hearing and may enter any order necessary to ensure
the safety of the parties and the child. The hearing must be held on the next judicial day after
service of the order unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on
the first judicial day possible. The court may extend the date of hearing at the request of the
petitioner.
(d) An order issued under subsection (c) must state the time and place of the hearing and advise
the respondent that at the hearing the court will order that the petitioner may take immediate
physical custody of the child and the payment of fees, costs, and expenses under section 312 of this
Act, and may schedule a hearing to determine whether further relief is appropriate, unless the
respondent appears and establishes that:
(1) The child-custody determination has not been registered and confirmed under section
305 of this Act and that:
(A) The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Article 2;
(B) The child-custody determination for which enforcement is sought has been
vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under Article
2; or
(C) The respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance
with the standards of section 108 of this Act, in the proceedings before the court
that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or
(2) The child-custody determination for which enforcement is sought was registered and
confirmed under section 304 of this Act, but has been vacated, stayed, or modified by
a court of a sate having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2.
Section
31.
Section 309.
Except as otherwise provided in section 311 of this Act, the petition
and order must be served, by any method authorized by the state statute, upon respondent and any
person who has physical custody of the child.
Section
32.
Section 310.
(a) Unless the court issues a temporary emergency order pursuant to
section 204 of this Act, upon a finding that a petitioner is entitled to immediate physical custody
of the child, the court shall order that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the
child unless the respondent establishes that:
(1) The child-custody determination has not been registered and confirmed under section
305 of this Act and that:
(A) The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Article 2;
(B) The child-custody determination for which enforcement is sought has been
vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so
under Article 2; or
(C) The respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance
with the standards of section 108 of this Act, in the proceedings before the court
that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or
(2) The child-custody determination for which enforcement is sought was registered and
confirmed under section 305 of this Act but has been vacated, stayed, or modified by
a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2.
(b) The court shall award the fees, costs, and expenses authorized under section 312 of this Act
and may grant additional relief, including a request for the assistance of law enforcement officers,
and set a further hearing to determine whether additional relief is appropriate.
(c) If a party called to testify refuses to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self-
incriminating, the court may draw an adverse inference from the refusal.
(d) A privilege against disclosure of communications between spouses and a defense of
immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife or parent and child may not be invoked
in a proceeding under this article.
Section
33.
Section 311.
(a) Upon the filing of a petition seeking enforcement of a child-
custody determination, the petitioner may file a verified application for the issuance of a warrant
to take physical custody of the child if the child is immediately likely to suffer serious physical
harm or be removed from this state.
(b) If the court, upon the testimony of the petitioner or other witness, finds that the child is
imminently likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this state, it may issue a
warrant to take physical custody of the child. The petition must be heard on the next judicial day
after the warrant is executed unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold the
hearing on the first judicial day possible. The application for the warrant must include the
statements required by section 308(b) of this Act.
(c) A warrant to take physical custody of a child must:
(1) Recite the facts upon which a conclusion of imminent serious physical harm or removal
from the jurisdiction is based;
(2) Direct law enforcement officers to take physical custody of the child immediately; and
(3) Provide for the placement of the child pending final relief.
(d) The respondent must be served with the petition, warrant, and order immediately after the
child is taken into physical custody.
(e) A warrant to take physical custody of a child is enforceable throughout this state. If the
court finds on the basis of the testimony of the petitioner or other witness that a less intrusive
remedy is not effective, it may authorize law enforcement officers to enter private property to take
physical custody of the child. If required by exigent circumstances of the case, the court may
authorize law enforcement officers to make a forcible entry at any hour.
(f) The court may impose conditions upon placement of a child to ensure the appearance of the
child and the child's custodian.
Section
34.
Section 312.
(a) The court shall award the prevailing party, including a state,
necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by or on behalf of the party, including costs,
communication expenses, attorney's fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel
expenses, and child care during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees
or expenses are sought establishes that the award would be clearly inappropriate.
(b) The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against a state unless authorized by law
other than this Act.
Section
35.
Section 313.
A court of this state shall accord full faith and credit to an order issued
by another state and consistent with this Act which enforces a child-custody determination by a
court of another state unless the order has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having
jurisdiction to do so under Article 2.
Section
36.
Section 314.
An appeal may be taken from a final order in a proceeding under this
article in accordance with expedited appellate procedures in other civil cases. Unless the court
enters a temporary emergency order under section 204 of this Act, the enforcing court may not stay
an order enforcing a child-custody determination pending appeal.
Section
37.
Section 315.
(a) In a case arising under this Act or involving the Hague Convention
on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the prosecutor or other appropriate public
official may take any lawful action, including resort to a proceeding under this article or any other
available civil proceeding to locate a child, obtain the return of a child, or enforce a child-custody
determination if there is:
(1) An existing child-custody determination;
(2) A request to do so from a court in a pending child-custody proceeding;
(3) A reasonable belief that a criminal statute has been violated; or
(4) A reasonable belief that the child has been wrongfully removed or retained in violation
of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
(b) A prosecutor or appropriate public official acting under this section acts on behalf of the
court and may not represent any party.
Section
38.
Section 316.
At the request of a prosecutor or other appropriate public official
acting under section 315 of this Act, a law enforcement officer may take any lawful action
reasonably necessary to locate a child or a party and assist a prosecutor or appropriate public
official with responsibilities under section 315 of this Act.
Section
39.
Section 317.
If the respondent is not the prevailing party, the court may assess
against the respondent all direct expenses and costs incurred by the prosecutor or other appropriate
public official and law enforcement officers under section 315 or 316 of this Act.
Section
40.
Section 401.
In applying and construing this Uniform Act, consideration must be
given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states
that enact it.
Section
41.
Section 402.
If any provision of this Act or its application to any person or
circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this
Act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the
provisions of this Act are severable.
Section
42.
Section 403.
This Act takes effect on July 1, 2005.
Section
43.
Section 404. That
§
§
26-5A-1
to 26-5A-26, inclusive, be repealed.
Section
44.
Section 405.
A motion or other request for relief made in a child-custody
proceeding or to enforce a child-custody determination which was commenced before the effective
date of this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time the motion or other request was made.
Signed February 24, 2005