25-1247. Duties of support enforcement agency

A. In a proceeding under this chapter, a support enforcement agency of this state, on request:

1. Shall provide services to a petitioner that resides in a state.

2. Shall provide services to a petitioner that requests services through a central authority of a foreign country described in section 25-1202, paragraph 5, subdivision (a) or (d).

3. May provide services to a petitioner who is an individual not residing in a state.

B. A support enforcement agency of this state that is providing services to the petitioner shall:

1. 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. Request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time and place for a hearing.

3. Make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant information, including information as to income and property of the parties.

4. Within two days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after receipt of a notice in a record from an initiating, responding or registering tribunal, send a copy of the notice by first class mail to the petitioner.

5. Within two days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after receipt of a communication in a record from the respondent or the respondent's attorney, send a copy of the communication by first class mail to the petitioner.

6. Notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the respondent cannot be obtained.

C. A support enforcement agency of this state that requests registration of a child support order in this state for enforcement or for modification shall make reasonable efforts to either:

1. Ensure that the order to be registered is the controlling order.

2. If two or more child support orders exist and the identity of the controlling order has not been determined, ensure that a request for such a determination is made in a tribunal having jurisdiction to do so.

D. A support enforcement 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.

E. A support enforcement agency of this state shall request a tribunal of this state to issue a child support order and an income withholding order that redirect payment of current support, arrears and interest if requested to do so by a support enforcement agency of another state pursuant to section 25-1259.

F. This chapter does not create or negate a relationship of attorney and client or other fiduciary relationship between a support enforcement agency or the attorney for the agency and the individual being assisted by the agency.