Bill Text: NY S05423 | 2015-2016 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Relates to administrative procedures for establishing support orders.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-03-15 - REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE [S05423 Detail]

Download: New_York-2015-S05423-Introduced.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         5423
                              2015-2016 Regular Sessions
                                   I N  S E N A T E
                                     May 14, 2015
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by Sen. FELDER -- (at request of the Office of Temporary and
         Disability Assistance) -- read twice and  ordered  printed,  and  when
         printed to be committed to the Committee on Social Services
       AN  ACT  to  amend  the social services law and the family court act, in
         relation to administrative procedures for establishing support orders;
         and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration there-
         of
         THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. Paragraph g of subdivision 2 of section 111-c of the social
    2  services law, as added by chapter 809 of the laws of 1985, is amended to
    3  read as follows:
    4    g. obtain from respondent, when appropriate and in accordance with the
    5  procedures  established  by section one hundred eleven-k AND SECTION ONE
    6  HUNDRED ELEVEN-L of this [chapter] TITLE, an [acknowledgement]  ACKNOWL-
    7  EDGMENT of paternity or an agreement to make support payments, or both;
    8    S  2.  The  opening  paragraph  and  paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 of
    9  section 111-k of the social  services  law,  the  opening  paragraph  as
   10  amended  by chapter 398 of the laws of 1997 and paragraph (b) as amended
   11  by chapter 214 of the laws of 1998, is amended to read as follows:
   12    A social services official or his or her designated representative who
   13  confers with a potential respondent or respondent, hereinafter  referred
   14  to  in  this  section as the "respondent,"[,] the mother of a child born
   15  out of wedlock and any other interested persons, pursuant to section one
   16  hundred eleven-c of this title, may obtain:
   17    (b) an agreement to make support payments as provided  in  SUBDIVISION
   18  (A)  OF  section four hundred twenty-five of the family court act. Prior
   19  to the execution of such agreement, the  respondent  shall  be  advised,
   20  orally, which may be through the use of audio or video equipment, and in
   21  writing,  of the consequences of such agreement, that the respondent can
   22  be held liable for support only if the family court,  after  a  hearing,
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD09631-01-5
       S. 5423                             2
    1  makes  an  order of support; that respondent has a right to consult with
    2  an attorney and that the agreement will be submitted to the family court
    3  for approval pursuant to SUBDIVISION (A) OF section four  hundred  twen-
    4  ty-five  of  the  family court act; and that by executing the agreement,
    5  the respondent waives any  right  to  a  hearing  regarding  any  matter
    6  contained in such agreement.
    7    S  3. The social services law is amended by adding a new section 111-l
    8  to read as follows:
    9    S 111-L. CHILD SUPPORT ORDER ESTABLISHMENT CONFERENCE  PILOT  PROCESS.
   10  1.  PURPOSE.  TO AUTHORIZE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A THREE-YEAR PILOT PROJECT
   11  ALLOWING SOCIAL SERVICES  DISTRICTS  TO  TAKE  EXPEDITED  ADMINISTRATIVE
   12  ACTIONS TO FACILITATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS CONSIST-
   13  ENT WITH THE STATE'S CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES.
   14    2.  INITIATING  ADMINISTRATIVE  ACTIONS.  (A)  A  CHILD SUPPORT ORDER,
   15  EITHER AGREED OR NON-AGREED, ISSUED UNDER THIS SECTION AND CONFIRMED  BY
   16  A  COURT PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (B) OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE
   17  OF THE FAMILY COURT ACT  CONSTITUTES  AN  ORDER  OF  THE  COURT  AND  IS
   18  ENFORCEABLE  BY ANY MEANS AVAILABLE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT
   19  OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS TITLE, ARTICLES FOUR AND  FIVE-B  OF  THE  FAMILY
   20  COURT  ACT,  OR  UNDER  ARTICLE  FIFTY-TWO OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND
   21  RULES, AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF LAW.
   22    (B) AN ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION UNDER THIS SECTION MAY  BE  INITIATED  BY
   23  SERVING  A  NOTICE  TO  ESTABLISH A CHILD SUPPORT ORDER BY CONFERENCE TO
   24  EACH PARTY ENTITLED TO NOTICE.
   25    (C) CASES THAT INVOLVE  MINOR  PARENTS,  REQUIRE  A  DETERMINATION  OF
   26  PATERNITY,  OR HAVE VERIFIED FAMILY VIOLENCE INDICATORS WILL BE EXCLUDED
   27  FROM AN ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION UNDER THIS SECTION.
   28    3. CONTENTS OF NOTICE TO ESTABLISH A CHILD SUPPORT  ORDER  BY  CONFER-
   29  ENCE.    THE  NOTICE  TO  ESTABLISH  A CHILD SUPPORT ORDER BY CONFERENCE
   30  ISSUED BY THE SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICIAL MUST:
   31    (A) DESCRIBE THE PROCEDURE FOR THE CONFERENCE;
   32    (B) INFORM THE PARTY THAT THE PARTY MAY BE REPRESENTED BY LEGAL  COUN-
   33  SEL DURING THE CONFERENCE OR AT A COURT HEARING;
   34    (C) INFORM THE PARTY THAT THE PARTY MAY REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE OR CEASE
   35  PARTICIPATION  IN  THE  CONFERENCE, BUT THAT THE REFUSAL BY THE PARTY TO
   36  PARTICIPATE WILL NOT PREVENT THE COMPLETION OF  THE  CONFERENCE  OR  THE
   37  FILING  OF A NON-AGREED PROPOSED ORDER WITH THE COURT PURSUANT TO SUBDI-
   38  VISION FOURTEEN OF THIS SECTION;
   39    (D) INFORM THE PARTY THAT AN AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT  OF  THE  CONFERENCE
   40  PROCESS  PROMULGATED  BY THE COMMISSIONER AND SENT WITH THE NOTICE SHALL
   41  BE EXECUTED BY THE PARTY AND RETURNED TO THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES  OFFICIAL
   42  ALONG  WITH ANY DOCUMENTATION OR INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF THE AFFIDAVIT
   43  NOT LATER THAN THE FIFTEENTH DAY AFTER THE DATE THE NOTICE IS SERVED;
   44    (E) INFORM THE PARTY THAT IF THE REQUESTED AFFIDAVIT IS  NOT  RETURNED
   45  AS REQUIRED, THE AGENCY MAY:
   46    (I) PROCEED WITH THE CONFERENCE PROCESS USING THE INFORMATION PROVIDED
   47  BY THE PARTIES OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED OR AVAILABLE TO THE AGENCY; OR
   48    (II) FILE A PETITION WITH THE COURT FOR CHILD SUPPORT; AND
   49    (F)  DIRECT  THE  PARTY TO CONTACT THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT IF THE
   50  PARTY BELIEVES THAT PURSUING CHILD SUPPORT WOULD EXPOSE THE PARTY OR THE
   51  CHILD TO PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL HARM.
   52    4. SERVICE OF NOTICE. ANY NOTICE OR ORDER REQUIRED TO BE SERVED  UNDER
   53  THIS SECTION MAY BE DELIVERED BY PERSONAL SERVICE OF FIRST CLASS MAIL ON
   54  EACH  PARTY  ENTITLED  TO  NOTICE  AS PROVIDED UNDER ARTICLE FOUR OF THE
   55  FAMILY COURT ACT.
       S. 5423                             3
    1    5. ISSUANCE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SUBPOENA.  AS  PART  OF  THE  CONFERENCE
    2  PROCESS  UNDER  THIS  SECTION,  THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES DISTRICT MAY ISSUE
    3  ADMINISTRATIVE  SUBPOENAS  AS  AUTHORIZED  UNDER  SECTION  ONE   HUNDRED
    4  ELEVEN-P OF THIS TITLE.
    5    6. NOTICE OF CONFERENCE. (A) THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT SHALL NOTIFY
    6  ALL  PARTIES ENTITLED TO NOTICE OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE DATE, TIME, AND
    7  PLACE OF THE CONFERENCE, SUCH CONFERENCE SHALL  BE  SCHEDULED  NO  LATER
    8  THAN THE THIRTIETH DAY AFTER THE DATE OF THE NOTICE.
    9    (B)  IF  A  PARTY  FAILS TO ATTEND THE SCHEDULED CONFERENCE THE SOCIAL
   10  SERVICES DISTRICT MAY PROCEED WITH THE CONFERENCE AND FILE A  NON-AGREED
   11  PROPOSED ORDER BASED UPON THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE DISTRICT.
   12    (C)  THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES DISTRICT MAY RESCHEDULE A CONFERENCE ON THE
   13  REASONABLE REQUEST OF ANY PARTY. THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT SHALL GIVE
   14  ALL PARTIES NOTICE OF A RESCHEDULED CONFERENCE NOT LATER THAN THE  THIRD
   15  DAY BEFORE THE DATE OF THE RESCHEDULED CONFERENCE.
   16    7. INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICIAL
   17  AT  THE  CONFERENCE.  AT  THE  BEGINNING  OF  THE CONFERENCE, THE SOCIAL
   18  SERVICES DISTRICT SHALL REVIEW WITH THE  PARTIES  PARTICIPATING  IN  THE
   19  CONFERENCE  THE  INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE NOTICE TO ESTABLISH A CHILD
   20  SUPPORT ORDER BY CONFERENCE AND INFORM THE PARTIES THAT:
   21    (A) THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE IS  TO  PROVIDE  AN  OPPORTUNITY  TO
   22  REACH  AN  AGREEMENT  ON  A  CHILD SUPPORT ORDER UNDER THE CHILD SUPPORT
   23  GUIDELINES AND THAT THE BASIC CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATION CALCULATED PURSU-
   24  ANT TO THE GUIDELINES WOULD PRESUMPTIVELY RESULT IN THE  CORRECT  AMOUNT
   25  OF  CHILD  SUPPORT  TO  BE AWARDED. THE PARTIES SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH A
   26  COPY OF THE CHILD SUPPORT STANDARDS CHART PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSION-
   27  ER PURSUANT TO SECTION ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN-I OF THIS TITLE AND A COPY  OF
   28  THE  CHILD  SUPPORT GUIDELINES WORKSHEET PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSIONER
   29  IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION;
   30    (B) IF THE PARTIES REACH AN AGREEMENT, THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT
   31  WILL  PREPARE  AN AGREED PROPOSED ORDER TO BE PRESENTED TO THE COURT FOR
   32  CONFIRMATION PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (B) OF SECTION FOUR  HUNDRED  TWEN-
   33  TY-FIVE OF THE FAMILY COURT ACT;
   34    (C)  A  PARTY  DOES  NOT HAVE TO SIGN THE ORDER PREPARED BY THE SOCIAL
   35  SERVICES DISTRICT; HOWEVER, THE SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT  MAY  FILE  A
   36  NON-AGREED  PROPOSED  ORDER  WITH THE COURT WITHOUT THE AGREEMENT OF THE
   37  PARTIES AND THE PARTIES SHALL BE LIABLE FOR SUPPORT ONLY UPON  CONFIRMA-
   38  TION  OF  THE  ORDER  BY THE FAMILY COURT PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (B) OF
   39  SECTION FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE OF THE FAMILY COURT ACT OR, IF A  PARTY
   40  REQUESTS A HEARING AND SUCH HEARING IS HELD, THE COURT MAKES AN ORDER OF
   41  SUPPORT;
   42    (D)  THE  PARTIES  WHO  REACH  AN AGREEMENT SHALL SIGN A WAIVER OF THE
   43  RIGHT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS  AND  TO  A  HEARING  REGARDING  ANY  MATTER
   44  CONTAINED IN AN AGREEMENT PROPOSED ORDER; AND
   45    (E)  A  PARTY MAY FILE A REQUEST FOR A DE NOVO HEARING ON A NON-AGREED
   46  PROPOSED ORDER NO LATER THAN THE TWENTIETH DAY AFTER THE DATE OF A  COPY
   47  OF THE PETITION FOR CONFIRMATION OF THE ORDER IS SERVED UPON THE PARTY.
   48    8.  CONDUCT  OF  THE CONFERENCE. (A) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION,
   49  THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT SHALL REVIEW  THE  AFFIDAVIT  SUBMITTED  BY
   50  EACH  PARTY  AND  ANY OTHER DOCUMENTATION OR INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE
   51  PARTIES OR OBTAINED PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY  GRANTED  IN  THIS  TITLE  AND
   52  SHALL  COMPLETE  A  CHILD  SUPPORT GUIDELINES WORKSHEET TO CALCULATE THE
   53  SUPPORT OBLIGATION.
   54    (B) THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT SHALL REVIEW THE CHILD SUPPORT GUIDE-
   55  LINES WORKSHEET WITH THE PARTIES AND THE  SUPPORT  OBLIGATION  RESULTING
   56  FROM THE CALCULATIONS.
       S. 5423                             4
    1    (C)  THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT SHALL PREPARE THE PROPOSED ORDER,
    2  EITHER AGREED OR NON-AGREED, OR PREPARE A RECORD OF A DETERMINATION THAT
    3  NO ORDER SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE COURT AS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.
    4    9.  RECORD  OF  PROCEEDINGS.  (A)  FOR  THE  PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION,
    5  DOCUMENTATION OR INFORMATION RELIED ON BY THE SOCIAL SERVICES  DISTRICT,
    6  INCLUDING AN AFFIDAVIT OF A PARTY, TOGETHER WITH THE CHILD SUPPORT ORDER
    7  IS SUFFICIENT RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS.
    8    (B)  THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT IS NOT REQUIRED TO MAKE ANY OTHER
    9  RECORD OR TRANSCRIPT OF THE CONFERENCE.
   10    10. ISSUANCE OF A CHILD SUPPORT ORDER OR FINDING THAT NO ORDER  SHOULD
   11  BE SUBMITTED; EFFECT. (A) IF A CONFERENCE RESULTS IN AN AGREEMENT OF THE
   12  PARTIES, EACH PARTY SHALL SIGN THE CHILD SUPPORT ORDER NO LATER THAN THE
   13  FIFTH  DAY  AFTER THE DATE OF THE CONFERENCE AND THE ORDER SHALL CONTAIN
   14  THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION ELEVEN OF THIS SECTION.
   15    (B) IF A CONFERENCE DOES NOT RESULT IN AGREEMENT BY ALL PARTIES TO THE
   16  CHILD SUPPORT ORDER, THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT SHALL RENDER  A  FINAL
   17  DECISION NO LATER THAN THE FIFTH DAY AFTER THE DATE OF THE CONFERENCE IN
   18  THE  FORM  OF EITHER A NON-AGREED PROPOSED ORDER OR A DETERMINATION THAT
   19  THE AGENCY SHOULD NOT SUBMIT A CHILD SUPPORT ORDER TO THE COURT.
   20    (C) IF THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT DETERMINES THAT  A  CHILD  SUPPORT
   21  ORDER SHOULD NOT BE SUBMITTED TO THE COURT, THE AGENCY SHALL IMMEDIATELY
   22  PROVIDE EACH PARTY WITH NOTICE OF THE DETERMINATION BY PERSONAL DELIVERY
   23  OR  BY  FIRST  CLASS  MAIL.  A  DETERMINATION THAT A CHILD SUPPORT ORDER
   24  SHOULD NOT BE SUBMITTED TO THE COURT SHALL INCLUDE A  STATEMENT  OF  THE
   25  REASONS  THAT  AN  ORDER IS NOT BEING SUBMITTED AND A STATEMENT THAT THE
   26  AGENCY'S DETERMINATION DOES NOT AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE SOCIAL  SERVICES
   27  DISTRICT  OR A PARTY TO SEEK AN ORDER OF SUPPORT OR TO REQUEST ANY OTHER
   28  REMEDY PROVIDED BY LAW.
   29    11. CONTENTS OF AN ORDER. (A) AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL
   30  BE REVIEWED AND SIGNED BY A SOCIAL SERVICES  OFFICIAL,  OR  HIS  OR  HER
   31  DESIGNEE.
   32    (B)  IF A CONFERENCE RESULTS IN AN AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES, THE ORDER
   33  SHALL CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING AS TO EACH PARTY:
   34    (I) A WAIVER BY THE PARTY OF THE RIGHT TO SERVICE  OF  PROCESS  AND  A
   35  COURT HEARING;
   36    (II) THE MAILING ADDRESS OF THE PARTY; AND
   37    (III)  THE  FOLLOWING  STATEMENT  PRINTED  ON THE ORDER IN CONSPICUOUS
   38  TYPE:
   39    "I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ  AND  UNDERSTAND  THIS  CHILD  SUPPORT
   40  ORDER.  I  UNDERSTAND THAT IF I SIGN THIS ORDER, IT WILL BE CONFIRMED BY
   41  THE COURT WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE TO ME. I KNOW THAT IF I DO NOT OBEY THE
   42  TERMS OF THIS ORDER I MAY BE HELD IN CONTEMPT OF COURT."
   43    12. WITHDRAWAL OF AN ORDER. (A) THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT MAY WITH-
   44  DRAW A PROPOSED ORDER, EITHER AGREED OR NON-AGREED, AT ANY  TIME  BEFORE
   45  THE ORDER IS FILED WITH THE COURT.
   46    (B)  A NEW CONFERENCE, WITH NOTICE TO ALL PARTIES, MAY BE SCHEDULED OR
   47  THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT MAY  MAKE  A  DETERMINATION  THAT  A  CHILD
   48  SUPPORT ORDER SHOULD NOT BE ISSUED AND GIVE NOTICE OF THAT DETERMINATION
   49  AS PROVIDED BY THIS SECTION.
   50    13.  FILING  OF AN AGREED PROPOSED ORDER. THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT
   51  SHALL FILE AN AGREED PROPOSED ORDER  THAT  CONTAINS  SIGNED  WAIVERS  OF
   52  SERVICE OF PROCESS AND A RIGHT TO A HEARING WITH THE COURT.
   53    14.  CONTENTS  OF  A  PETITION FOR CONFIRMATION OF NON-AGREED PROPOSED
   54  ORDER.   (A) THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT  SHALL  FILE  A  PETITION  FOR
   55  CONFIRMATION OF A NON-AGREED PROPOSED ORDER.
       S. 5423                             5
    1    (B)  THE  PETITION SHALL INCLUDE THE NON-AGREED PROPOSED ORDER AND THE
    2  CHILD SUPPORT WORKSHEET AS ATTACHMENTS, AS WELL AS ANY DOCUMENTATION  OR
    3  INFORMATION RELIED ON BY THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT.
    4    15.  EVALUATION.  THE  OFFICE  OF  TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
    5  SHALL CONDUCT AN EVALUATION OF THE OPERATION AND  IMPACT  OF  THE  CHILD
    6  SUPPORT  ORDER  ESTABLISHMENT CONFERENCE PILOT PROCESS, AND SHALL SUBMIT
    7  TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE AN EVALUATION REPORT CONTAINING  THE
    8  FINDINGS  FROM  THE  PILOT,  THE FEASIBILITY OF A STATEWIDE PROGRAM, AND
    9  RECOMMENDATIONS, IF ANY, FOR ESTABLISHING A STATEWIDE PROGRAM.
   10    S 4. Section 425 of the family court act, as amended by chapter 81  of
   11  the laws of 2003, is amended to read as follows:
   12    S  425.  Agreement  to support. (A) If an agreement for the support of
   13  the petitioner is brought about, it  must  be  reduced  to  writing  and
   14  submitted to the family court or a support magistrate appointed pursuant
   15  to  section  four  hundred  thirty-nine of this act for approval. If the
   16  court or support magistrate approves it, the court without further hear-
   17  ing may thereupon enter an order for the support of  the  petitioner  by
   18  the  respondent in accordance with the agreement, which shall be binding
   19  upon the respondent and shall in all respects be a valid order as though
   20  made after process had been issued out of the court.  The  court  record
   21  shall show that such order was made upon agreement.
   22    (B)  WHERE  A CHILD SUPPORT ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE CONFERENCE
   23  PROCESS PROVIDED IN SECTION ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN-L OF THE SOCIAL  SERVICES
   24  LAW, THE CHILD SUPPORT ORDER SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE COURT.
   25    (I)  UPON  THE FILING OF AN AGREED PROPOSED ORDER BY A SOCIAL SERVICES
   26  OFFICIAL:
   27    (A) THE COURT SHALL ENDORSE ON THE ORDER THE DATE THE ORDER  IS  FILED
   28  AND THE APPROPRIATE FAMILY COURT DOCKET NUMBER;
   29    (B)  PROVIDED THE AGREED PROPOSED ORDER AND THE WAIVERS OF SERVICE AND
   30  A RIGHT TO A HEARING ARE SIGNED BY THE PARTIES, THE COURT SHALL  CONFIRM
   31  AND SIGN THE AGREED PROPOSED ORDER NO LATER THAN THE THIRD DAY AFTER ITS
   32  FILING;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, IF THE COURT FINDS THAT THE AGREED PROPOSED
   33  ORDER AND WAIVERS OF SERVICE  AND  A  HEARING  ARE  NOT  SIGNED  BY  ALL
   34  PARTIES,  THE  COURT  SHALL  RETURN THE DOCUMENTS TO THE SOCIAL SERVICES
   35  OFFICIAL TO ALLOW SUCH OFFICIAL TO REMEDY THE DEFICIENCY NO  LATER  THAN
   36  THE THIRD DAY AFTER THE FILING OF THE AGREED PROPOSED ORDER; AND
   37    (C)  THE  ORDER  SIGNED  AND  CONFIRMED BY THE COURT SHALL IMMEDIATELY
   38  BECOME A FINAL ORDER OF THE COURT AND A COPY THEREOF SHALL BE MAILED  TO
   39  THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT AND THE PARTIES.
   40    (II)  UPON  THE  FILING OF A PETITION FOR CONFIRMATION OF A NON-AGREED
   41  PROPOSED ORDER ISSUED BY A SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT:
   42    (A) THE COURT SHALL IMMEDIATELY SERVE EACH PARTY WITH A  COPY  OF  THE
   43  PETITION  FOR  CONFIRMATION  OF THE NON-AGREED PROPOSED ORDER, A COPY OF
   44  THE ORDER, AND A COPY OF THE FORM TO REQUEST A COURT HEARING PROMULGATED
   45  BY THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF
   46  TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE.
   47    (B)(1) A PARTY MAY FILE A REQUEST FOR A DE NOVO HEARING NO LATER  THAN
   48  THE  TWENTIETH  DAY  AFTER  THE  DATE THE PETITION FOR CONFIRMATION OF A
   49  NON-AGREED PROPOSED ORDER IS MAILED TO THE PARTY.
   50    (2) A COURT SHALL CONSIDER ANY  RESPONSIVE  PLEADING  FILED  WITH  THE
   51  COURT  THAT  IS INTENDED AS AN OBJECTION TO CONFIRMATION OF A NON-AGREED
   52  PROPOSED ORDER, INCLUDING A GENERAL DENIAL, AS A REQUEST FOR A  DE  NOVO
   53  COURT HEARING.
   54    (3)  A  REQUEST  FOR  A  HEARING  FILED DURING THE PERIOD SET FORTH IN
   55  CLAUSE ONE OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH STAYS CONFIRMATION OF THE ORDER  PENDING
   56  THE HEARING.
       S. 5423                             6
    1    (4) FOR PURPOSES OF THE HEARING, THE PETITION FOR CONFIRMATION AND THE
    2  CHILD  SUPPORT  ORDER  CONSTITUTE  A  SUFFICIENT  PLEADING BY THE SOCIAL
    3  SERVICES DISTRICT FOR RELIEF ON ANY ISSUE ADDRESSED IN THE PETITION  AND
    4  ORDER.
    5    (C)(1)  WHEN  A  TIMELY  REQUEST FOR A COURT HEARING HAS BEEN FILED AS
    6  PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (B), THE COURT SHALL HOLD A DE NOVO HEARING  NO
    7  LATER THAN THE THIRTIETH DAY AFTER THE DATE THE REQUEST WAS FILED.
    8    (2)  IF  THE  COURT ADJOURNS THE HEARING, THE HEARING SHALL BE HELD NO
    9  LATER THAN THE THIRTIETH DAY AFTER THE DATE SET FOR THE INITIAL HEARING.
   10    (3) WHEN A REQUEST FOR A DE NOVO HEARING HAS NOT BEEN TIMELY RECEIVED,
   11  THE COURT SHALL CONFIRM THE NON-AGREED PROPOSED ORDER NO LATER THAN  THE
   12  THIRTIETH  DAY  AFTER  PETITION  FOR  CONFIRMATION  WAS FILED; PROVIDED,
   13  HOWEVER, THAT SUCH ORDER MAY BE RETROACTIVELY MODIFIED UPWARD WITHOUT  A
   14  SHOWING OF A CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES.
   15    (D)  IF  THE  PARTY  WHO  REQUESTED THE HEARING FAILS TO APPEAR AT THE
   16  HEARING, THE COURT SHALL CONFIRM THE NON-AGREED PROPOSED ORDER.
   17    (E) AFTER THE HEARING, THE COURT SHALL:
   18    (1) IMMEDIATELY CONFIRM THE NON-AGREED PROPOSED ORDER; OR
   19    (2) ENTER AN ORDER OF SUPPORT.
   20    (F) WHEN A CONFIRMATION ORDER IS SIGNED BY THE COURT,  THE  NON-AGREED
   21  PROPOSED ORDER BECOMES A FINAL ORDER OF THE COURT.
   22    (G)  THE  COURT SHALL IMMEDIATELY SERVE A COPY OF THE CONFIRMED NON-A-
   23  GREED PROPOSED ORDER UPON EACH PARTY AND THE SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT,
   24  TOGETHER WITH NOTICE OF THE RIGHT TO FILE AN OBJECTION NO LATER THAN THE
   25  THIRTIETH DAY AFTER THE DATE THE ORDER WAS CONFIRMED BY THE COURT.
   26    S  5.  This  act  shall  take effect on the two hundred seventieth day
   27  after it shall have become a law and shall  remain  in  full  force  and
   28  effect  until  three  years after such effective date at which time this
   29  act shall expire and be deemed repealed. The expiration  and  repeal  of
   30  this act, however, shall not diminish or impair the rights and responsi-
   31  bilities  of  any parties who were subject to the provisions of this act
   32  while it remained in effect.
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