Md. Code, Family Law, Title 10

in effect

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-1A-01

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Child support order” means: (1) any support order for a child issued by a tribunal; or (2) an executed affidavit of support. (c) “Party” means: (1) the legal parent of a child; (2) a caretaker with whom the child resides; or (3) the Administration when: (i) it has accepted an assignment of support under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article; or (ii) the child has been placed in the care and custody of the State. (d) “Tribunal” has the meaning stated in § 10–301(dd) of this title.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-1A-02

(a) (1) An affidavit of support may be executed in the manner provided under this section if: (i) a party is receiving child support enforcement services under Title IV, Part D, of the Social Security Act; (ii) paternity of the child has been established; (iii) a support conference has been conducted in which the Administration determined the amount of support in accordance with the child support guidelines provided in Title 12, Subtitle 2 of this article; and (iv) the support conference resulted in an agreement by the parties. (2) (i) The Administration shall set the amount of the support obligation in accordance with the guidelines. (ii) Unless the Administration determines that application of the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case, the amount specified in the guidelines shall apply. (iii) In determining whether application of the guidelines is unjust or inappropriate, the Administration may consider the factors stated in § 12-202 of this article. (iv) If the Administration finds that application of the guidelines is unjust or inappropriate in a particular case, the Administration shall make a written finding on the record stating the reasons for departing from the guidelines. (v) The Administration’s finding shall state: 1. the amount of child support that would have been required under the guidelines; 2. how the affidavit of support varies from the guidelines; 3. how the finding serves the best interests of the child; and 4. in cases in which items of value are conveyed instead of a portion of the support presumed under the guidelines, the estimated value of the items conveyed. (b) An affidavit of support shall be completed on a standardized form developed by the Administration. (c) (1) The completed affidavit of support form shall contain: (i) a statement that the executed affidavit of support is a legal document and constitutes a legal finding of a support obligation; (ii) the date of the signed affidavit of support; (iii) the full names of the parties; (iv) the full name and birth date of each child for whom support is to be paid; (v) the support order amount, including an amount for current support, and an amount for arrears, if appropriate; (vi) the frequency of child support to be paid, including the payment due date; (vii) a provision for making child support payments payable to the State disbursement unit; (viii) a provision for medical support; (ix) a provision for immediate earnings withholding; (x) a statement that if the obligor becomes delinquent in fulfilling the child support obligation, any enforcement remedy provided in accordance with State and federal law may be applied; (xi) a statement that it is the responsibility of each party under the affidavit of support to advise the Administration of any change of address, employment, or medical support; (xii) a statement that the provisions of the affidavit of support are subject to review by the Administration for possible modification on request of any party; (xiii) a statement that the provisions of the affidavit of support remain in effect until the first of the following events occurs: 1. the child becomes an adult; 2. the child dies; 3. the child marries; or 4. the child becomes self-supporting; (xiv) a statement that the provisions of the affidavit of support remain in effect until superseded by: 1. a court order; or 2. a subsequently executed affidavit of support; (xv) any information that the Administration considers appropriate; and (xvi) the signatures of all parties and the date of the signatures. (2) Before completing an affidavit of support form, the parties shall be advised orally and in writing of the legal consequences of executing the affidavit and of the right to seek legal counsel. (3) The Administration shall provide each party with a copy of the executed affidavit of support. (d) An executed affidavit of support constitutes a legal finding of a support obligation, subject to the right of any party to: (1) rescind the affidavit in writing to the Administration within 60 days after execution of the affidavit; or (2) challenge the affidavit of support in court on the basis of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact or that the affidavit of support is not in accordance with the child support guidelines. (e) Within 30 days after expiration of the 60-day recission period specified in subsection (d)(1) of this section, the Administration shall file an affidavit of support with the clerk of a circuit court for approval by the court.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-1A-03

(a) The Administration shall enforce and collect the support obligation, including any arrearages, from the date of execution. (b) The affidavit of support shall have all of the force, effect, and attributes of a child support order issued by a tribunal, including the ability to be enforced by any and all enforcement remedies available to the Administration to enforce a child support order issued by a tribunal, including contempt of court proceedings. (c) (1) If any party to the affidavit of support presents evidence to the Administration of a material change in circumstances since the entry of the last child support order, the parties may execute an affidavit of support in accordance with the Maryland child support guidelines. (2) If there is a pre-existing child support order, the subsequently executed affidavit of support shall supersede the order unless and until overruled by a tribunal. (d) All courts in this State shall recognize an affidavit of support issued by the Administration as a child support order. (e) An executed affidavit of support does not preclude any subsequent proceedings under this article.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-101

(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Administration” means the Child Support Administration of the Department of Human Services. (c) “Earnings” includes: (1) any form of periodic payment to an individual, including: (i) an annuity; (ii) a pension; (iii) Social Security payments; (iv) workers’ compensation payments; and (v) unemployment insurance benefits; and (2) any commissions or fees paid in connection with the obligor’s employment. (d) (1) “Employer” means any person who is paying earnings to an obligor. (2) “Employer” includes a governmental entity. (e) “Local support enforcement office” means 1 of the following that is responsible for support enforcement: (1) a county agency; or (2) a component of the circuit court for a county. (f) (1) “Obligee” means any person who is entitled to receive support. (2) “Obligee” includes a state. (g) “Obligor” means an individual who is required to pay support under a court order. (h) “Support” includes: (1) child support; (2) spousal support; (3) support of destitute adult children; and (4) support of destitute parents. (i) “Support enforcement agency” means 1 of the following that receives support payments under a court order: (1) the Administration; or (2) a local support enforcement office.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-102

A contempt proceeding for failure to make a payment of child or spousal support under a court order shall be brought within 3 years of the date that the payment of support became due.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-103

This subtitle does not limit the authority of a State’s Attorney, the Administration, or a local support enforcement office to use any other civil or criminal remedy to enforce a child or spousal support order.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-106

There is a Child Support Administration in the Department of Human Services.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-106.1

§10–106.1. (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) “Federal performance incentive payments” means federal funds paid to the Department of Human Services as provided under Title IV–D of the federal Social Security Act. (3) “Fund” means the Child Support Reinvestment Fund. (b) There is established a Child Support Reinvestment Fund within the Administration. (c) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that shall consist of all of the federal performance incentive payments received by the Department of Human Services in a fiscal year. (2) The Fund is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. (d) (1) The State Treasurer shall hold and the State Comptroller shall account for the Fund. (2) The proceeds of the Fund shall be invested and reinvested. (3) Any investment earnings shall be paid into the Fund. (e) Money in the Fund, including any money that is distributed from the Fund to a county under § 10–116(b) of this subtitle, and any federal funds leveraged with money from the Fund shall only be expended by the Administration or by a county for activities that may contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the statewide child support enforcement program established under this subtitle, including: (1) privatizing and outsourcing of child support enforcement services; (2) improving automation capabilities; (3) creating public awareness projects; (4) developing programs and special projects; (5) establishing a performance incentive program to provide incentives for employees; (6) assisting in staff development and training; and (7) establishing community outreach programs and activities. (f) Money from the Fund shall supplement and may not be used to supplant the budget of the Administration, a county, or a local support enforcement office. (g) Expenditures from the Fund may only be made: (1) pursuant to an appropriation approved by the General Assembly in the annual State budget; or (2) by the budget amendment procedure provided for in § 7–209 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-107

The Administration exercises its authority, duties, and functions under any law of this State subject to the authority of the Secretary of Human Services under any law of this State.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-108

(a) The Administration shall: (1) coordinate a statewide program for support enforcement; (2) maintain a central registry of records on absent parents as required under § 12–105 of this article; (3) locate absent parents; (4) determine the ability of an absent parent to pay child support; (5) accept assignment of right, title, or interest in child support made under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article; (6) in any case in which an assignment is made under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article, prosecute and maintain any legal or equitable action available to establish each absent parent’s obligation to pay child support; (7) cooperate with other states in establishing and enforcing child support obligations; (8) collect and disburse support payments through the State disbursement unit established under § 10–108.7 of this subtitle; and (9) use established legal processes to enforce court orders to pay support. (b) Except in a county that has a local support enforcement office, the Administration is the agency that is responsible for support enforcement in all cases where a court orders an obligor to make support payments to a public agency: (1) as the payee; or (2) as collection agent for the payee. (c) (1) In this subsection, “notice of arrearage” means a written notice provided by the Administration: (i) to an obligor who is in arrears in making child support payments; and (ii) relating to the arrearage. (2) If the Administration sends a notice of arrearage within the first 120 days that the obligor is in arrears in making child support payments, the Administration shall include notice that continued arrearage may result in revocation or denial of a license under § 10-119.3 of this subtitle.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-108.1

§10–108.1. (a) In this section, “consumer reporting agency” means any person or entity that, for monetary fees or dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer credit reports to third parties. (b) (1) If a child support obligation owed by an obligor and enforced by the Administration or a local support enforcement office becomes 60 days or more in arrears, the Administration shall make available, upon request in a format acceptable to the consumer reporting agency and the Administration, information regarding the arrears to all consumer reporting agencies that operate in the State. (2) The Administration shall: (i) designate one or more persons to receive and process requests from the consumer reporting agencies regarding the reverification of information; and (ii) respond to requests made by the consumer reporting agencies in a timely manner. (c) (1) Before supplying any information to a consumer reporting agency under this section, the Administration shall: (i) send written notice of the proposed action to the obligor including the obligor’s right to contest the accuracy of the reported arrearage; and (ii) give the obligor a reasonable opportunity to contest the accuracy of the information. (2) The obligor may appeal a decision of the Administration to provide the information regarding arrears to consumer reporting agencies in accordance with Title 10 of the State Government Article. (d) The Secretary of Human Services shall adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section. (e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a consumer reporting agency that receives information regarding child support arrears under this section shall comply with the provisions of Title 14, Subtitle 12 of the Commercial Law Article. (2) If the Administration finds that it has supplied erroneous information concerning arrears owed by an obligor to a consumer reporting agency: (i) the Administration shall notify the consumer reporting agency; and (ii) the consumer reporting agency shall remove any information concerning the erroneous arrears from the obligor’s credit file.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-108.2

§10–108.2. (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, in this section and in §§ 10-108.3 and 10-108.4 of this subtitle, the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) (i) “Account” means: 1. any funds from a demand deposit account, checking account, negotiable order of withdrawal account, savings account, time deposit account, money market mutual fund account, or certificate of deposit account; 2. any funds paid towards the purchase of shares or other interest in a financial institution, as defined in paragraph (4)(ii) and (iii) of this subsection; and 3. any funds or property held by a financial institution, as defined in paragraph (4)(iv) of this subsection. (ii) “Account” does not include: 1. an account or portion of an account to which an obligor does not have access due to the pledge of the funds as security for a loan or other obligation; 2. funds or property deposited to an account after the time that the financial institution initially attaches the account; 3. an account or portion of an account to which the financial institution has a present right to exercise a right of setoff; 4. an account or portion of an account that has an account holder of interest named as an owner on the account; or 5. an account or portion of an account to which the obligor does not have an unconditional right of access. (3) “Account holder of interest” means any person, other than the obligor, who asserts an ownership interest in an account. (4) “Financial institution” means: (i) a depository institution, as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(c); (ii) an institution-affiliated party, as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u); (iii) a federal or state credit union, as defined in the Federal Credit Union Act at 12 U.S.C. § 1752; (iv) a State credit union regulated under Title 6 of the Financial Institutions Article; (v) an institution-affiliated party, as defined in the Federal Credit Union Act at 12 U.S.C. § 1786(r); or (vi) a benefit association, insurance company, safe deposit company, money-market mutual fund, or similar entity doing business in the State that holds property or maintains accounts reflecting property belonging to others. (b) For purposes of subsection (a)(4)(v) of this section, any reference to “insured credit union” at 12 U.S.C. § 1786(r) shall be construed to include a credit union insured in accordance with § 6-701(a)(2) of the Financial Institutions Article. (c) To carry out the purposes of this section, the Administration may request from any financial institution information and assistance to enable the Administration to enforce the liability of a parent to support a child of the parent. (d) (1) The Administration may request not more than four times a year from a financial institution the information set forth in subsection (e)(2) of this section concerning any obligor in arrears in paying child support through a support enforcement agency. (2) A request for information by the Administration under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall: (i) contain: 1. the full name of the obligor and any other names known to be used by the obligor; and 2. the Social Security number or other taxpayer identification number of the obligor; and (ii) be transmitted to the financial institution in an electronic format unless the financial institution specifically asks the Administration to submit the request in writing. (e) (1) Within 30 days after a financial institution receives a request for information under subsection (d) of this section, the financial institution shall: (i) notify the Administration that the financial institution submits reports indirectly through the Federal Parent Locator Service under 42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(17); or (ii) with respect to each obligor whose name the Administration submitted to the financial institution and who maintains an account with the financial institution, submit a report to the Administration. (2) The report described in paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection shall contain, to the extent reflected in the records of the financial institution: (i) the full name of the obligor; (ii) the address of the obligor; (iii) the Social Security number or other taxpayer identification number of the obligor; (iv) any other identifying information needed to assure positive identification of the obligor; and (v) for each account of the obligor, the obligor’s account number and balance. (3) A report submitted under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection shall be provided to the Administration in machine readable form. (4) The Administration shall pay the financial institution a reasonable fee, not to exceed the actual costs incurred by the financial institution to comply with the requirements of this section and § 10-108.3 of this subtitle including costs for: (i) compiling and providing reports to the Administration; (ii) compiling and providing reports through the Federal Parent Locator Service, but in such a case the actual costs of the financial institution shall be based on a percentage of the financial institution’s total actual cost, which percentage shall be determined by dividing the total number of accounts maintained by the financial institution in Maryland by the total number of accounts maintained by the financial institution for all jurisdictions included in the report; and (iii) necessary upgrades to existing computer, software, or other data compilation systems that are directly related to compliance with the requirements of this section and § 10-108.3 of this subtitle. (5) The Administration may institute civil proceedings to enforce this section. (f) A financial institution that complies with a request from the Administration by notifying the Administration or submitting a report to the Administration in accordance with subsection (e) of this section is not liable under State law to any person for any: (1) disclosure of information to the Administration under this section; or (2) other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of this section. (g) An institution-affiliated party, as defined in subsection (a)(4)(ii) and (v) of this section, is not required to provide information and assistance under this section if the financial institution with which the party is affiliated has otherwise provided the required information or assistance.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-108.3

§10–108.3. (a) (1) In this section and in § 10-108.4 of this subtitle, “financial institution” means: (i) a depository institution, as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(c); (ii) a federal or state credit union, as defined in the Federal Credit Union Act at 12 U.S.C. § 1752; (iii) a State credit union regulated under Title 6 of the Financial Institutions Article; or (iv) a benefit association, insurance company, safe deposit company, money market mutual fund, or similar entity doing business in the State that holds property or maintains accounts reflecting property belonging to others. (2) In this section and in § 10-108.4 of this subtitle, “financial institution” does not include an institution-affiliated party, as defined in § 10-108.2(a)(4)(ii) and (v) of this subtitle. (b) (1) If an obligor identified in a report submitted under § 10-108.2 of this subtitle or in a report made to the Federal Parent Locator Service under 42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(17) is $500 or more in arrears of a child support obligation and has not paid child support for more than 60 days, the Administration may institute an action to attach and seize the amount of the arrearage in one or more of the accounts of the obligor with a financial institution to satisfy the amount of arrearage owed by the obligor. (2) Before attaching and seizing the obligor’s accounts, the Administration shall send a notice to the obligor at the obligor’s last known address advising the obligor of the enforcement actions that may be taken, including that the obligor’s accounts may be subject to garnishment for payment of a child support arrearage. (c) (1) If the Administration institutes an action against an obligor under subsection (b) of this section, the Administration shall send a notice to the financial institution in which one or more of the obligor’s accounts are located, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by other method acceptable to the financial institution, at the address designated for this purpose by the financial institution or, if no address has been designated, to the principal office of the financial institution. (2) The notice shall contain the following information, to the extent known by the Administration: (i) the address of the Administration; (ii) the telephone number, address, and name of a contact person at the Administration; (iii) the name and Social Security number or other taxpayer identification number of the obligor; (iv) the address of the obligor; (v) for each account of the obligor, the obligor’s account number and known balance with the financial institution; (vi) the amount of arrearage that the financial institution shall seize and attach from one or more of the accounts of the obligor; and (vii) a statement instructing the financial institution to immediately attach and seize the amount of arrearage stated in item (vi) of this paragraph from one or more of the accounts of the obligor and, upon subsequent notice by the Administration, to forward the amount to the Administration. (d) (1) On receipt of the notice under subsection (c) of this section, the financial institution shall promptly seize and attach from one or more of the accounts identified in the Administration’s notice to the financial institution an aggregate amount equal to the lesser of the amounts in all accounts or the amount stated in the notice. (2) Not later than 30 days after the financial institution receives the notice directing it to seize and attach accounts of the obligor, the financial institution shall send notice to the Administration by regular mail specifying the aggregate amount held under this subsection. (3) If an account that has been seized and attached is maintained by the obligor with one or more account holders of interest as reflected on the records of the financial institution, the financial institution’s notice to the Administration shall state that fact and shall provide, to the extent reflected in the financial institution’s records, the name and address of the other person or persons. (4) (i) The financial institution may assess a fee against the accounts or the obligor, in addition to the amount identified in the notice under subsection (c) of this section. (ii) In the case of insufficient funds to cover both the fee and the amount identified in the notice under subsection (c) of this section, the financial institution may first deduct and retain the fee from the amount seized and attached as provided in this section. (5) The financial institution may not be held liable to any person, including the Administration, the obligor, or any person named on the account, for wrongful dishonor or for any other claim relating to the seizure and attachment of the account or other actions taken in compliance with this section. (e) (1) Within 2 days after the Administration has received the return receipt from the notice sent to the financial institution under subsection (c) of this section, the Administration shall promptly send a notice to the obligor, by regular mail, to the obligor’s last known address, or if the home address is not known, to the place of last known employment. (2) The notice shall contain the following information, to the extent known by the Administration: (i) the address of the Administration; (ii) the telephone number, address, and name of a contact person at the Administration; (iii) the name and Social Security number or other taxpayer identification number of the obligor; (iv) the address of the obligor; (v) for each account of the obligor, the obligor’s account number and known balances with the financial institution; (vi) the total amount of the arrearage owed by the obligor; (vii) the date the notice is being sent; (viii) a statement informing the obligor that the Administration has directed the financial institution to seize and attach the amount of the arrearage owed by the obligor from one or more of the accounts of the obligor and, upon subsequent notice by the Administration, to forward the amount to the Administration; and (ix) a statement informing the obligor that, unless a timely challenge is made to the Administration by the obligor or an account holder of interest under subsection (h) of this section, the Administration shall notify the financial institution to forward the amount seized and attached by the financial institution to the Administration. (f) If a timely challenge is not made by the obligor or an account holder of interest under subsection (h) of this section, the Administration shall send a notice to the financial institution, in the manner specified in subsection (c) of this section, directing the institution to forward the amount seized and attached by the financial institution to the Administration. (g) The Administration shall apply the amount seized and forwarded by the financial institution to the obligor’s child support arrears. If the obligor has more than one child support case with arrears, the Administration shall allocate the amount received among one or more of the obligor’s cases, as determined appropriate by the Administration. (h) (1) An obligor or an account holder of interest may challenge the actions of the Administration under this section by: (i) filing a request for an investigation with the Administration; or (ii) filing a motion with the circuit court. (2) A challenge under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection shall: (i) be in writing; (ii) be received by the Administration within 30 days from the date of the notice under subsection (e) of this section; (iii) be sent to the contact person identified in the notice sent to the obligor under subsection (e) of this section; and (iv) specify, in detail, the reasons for the challenge. (3) An obligor or account holder of interest may not challenge the actions of the Administration on issues related to visitation, custody, or other matters not related to an account. (4) An obligor or an account holder of interest may challenge the actions of the Administration based on an exemption in § 11-504 or § 11-603 of the Courts Article or for any other good cause. (i) (1) Upon receipt of a challenge under subsection (h) of this section, the Administration shall review the challenge in accordance with this subsection. (2) The Administration shall release or reduce the amount seized and attached by the financial institution for a mistake of fact, including: (i) a mistake in the identity of the obligor; (ii) a mistake in the ownership of an account; (iii) a mistake in the contents of an account; (iv) a mistake in the amount of arrearage due; or (v) any other good cause. (3) The Administration shall release or reduce the amount seized and attached by the financial institution if the account is exempt under § 11-504 or § 11-603 of the Courts Article or for any other good cause. (4) The Administration shall send a notice to the financial institution, in the manner specified in subsection (c) of this section, directing the financial institution to release the amount seized and attached by the financial institution if the Administration determines that a mistake of fact has occurred, the account is exempt under § 11-504 or § 11-603 of the Courts Article, or other good cause exists. (5) The Administration shall send a notice to the financial institution, in the manner specified in subsection (c) of this section, directing the financial institution to reduce the amount seized and attached to the revised amount stated and to release the excess amount if the Administration determines that: (i) the amount owed by the obligor is less than the amount originally indicated on the notice under subsection (b) of this section; (ii) the obligor does not have an ownership interest in one or more of the accounts seized and attached or a portion thereof; or (iii) the account or a portion of the account is exempt under § 11-504 or § 11-603 of the Courts Article or other good cause exists. (j) (1) The Administration shall send by regular mail a notice of its findings, including a finding of no mistake of fact, to the obligor and any other challenging party. (2) The notice shall inform the obligor or the challenging party of the right to appeal the decision of the Administration to the Office of Administrative Hearings or to the circuit court. (k) If no timely appeal is filed, the Administration shall send a notice to the financial institution, in the manner specified in subsection (c) of this section, directing the financial institution to forward the amount specified in the notice, including any revised amount under subsection (i)(5) of this section, to the Administration. (l) (1) An appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings authorized under subsection (j) of this section shall be conducted in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. (2) An appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings shall be: (i) in writing; and (ii) received by the Office of Administrative Hearings within 30 days after the notice is sent to the obligor or other challenging party under subsection (j) of this section. (m) After the completion of an appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings authorized under subsection (j) of this section, the Administration shall: (1) send a notice to the financial institution, in the manner specified in subsection (c) of this section, directing the financial institution to release the amount seized and attached by the financial institution if the Office of Administrative Hearings finds that: (i) there is a mistake of identity; (ii) the obligor does not have an ownership interest in the contents of any account held; or (iii) there is no arrearage; (2) send a notice to the financial institution, in the manner specified in subsection (c) of this section, directing the financial institution to release the attachment on any amount in excess of the revised amount stated and that the revised amount stated be forwarded to the Administration if the Office of Administrative Hearings finds that: (i) the obligor is delinquent, but the amount of the arrearage is less than the amount indicated in the notice under subsection (c) of this section or in a subsequent notice under subsection (i)(5) of this section; or (ii) the obligor does not have ownership interest in one or more of the accounts seized and attached or a portion of the accounts; or (3) send a notice to the financial institution, in the manner specified in subsection (c) of this section, directing the financial institution to transfer the amounts seized and attached to the Administration if the Office of Administrative Hearings upholds the determination of the Administration. (n) (1) A challenging party may withdraw an administrative challenge or appeal by submitting a notice of the withdrawal to the person identified as the contact person for the Administration in the notice under subsection (e) of this section, or to the Office of Administrative Hearings. (2) The Administration may withdraw the notice to attach accounts by sending notice to the financial institution, in the manner specified in subsection (c) of this section, directing the financial institution to release the attachment on the account. (o) If a determination is made by the Administration or by the Office of Administrative Hearings that the account or accounts of the obligor should not have been held, the Administration shall notify the financial institution, in the manner specified in subsection (c) of this section, to release the amount seized and attached by the financial institution. (p) (1) A financial institution that complies with a request or notice from the Administration made under this section is not liable under State law to any person for: (i) any disclosure of information to the Administration under this section; (ii) seizing and attaching any amounts from an account, sending any amount seized and attached by the financial institution to the Administration, or releasing all or a part of the amount seized and attached by the financial institution; or (iii) any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of this section. (2) An institution-affiliated party, as defined in § 10-108.2(a)(4)(ii) and (v) of this subtitle, is immune from any civil liability or criminal penalty for any action taken under this section. (q) (1) Notwithstanding any other statutory provisions or rules of court that provide for the execution, attachment, garnishment, or levy against an account, and subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Administration may utilize the procedures established in this section exclusively to collect delinquent child support. (2) This section may not be construed to prohibit the Administration from collecting delinquent child support in any other manner authorized by law.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-108.4

§10–108.4. (a) If the Administration institutes an action under § 10-108.3(b) of this subtitle and no obligor has any ownership interest in a seized account at the time the Administration institutes the action, the Administration shall reimburse the account holders of interest for fees incurred as a result of instituting the action, including: (1) fees assessed by the financial institution as a result of the Administration’s action; (2) fees assessed by the financial institution for insufficient funds; (3) fees assessed by merchants for dishonored checks; and (4) reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the account holders of interest related to an administrative or judicial review of the Administration’s decision to institute the action. (b) An account holder of interest who wishes to request reimbursement under this section shall file a written request within 60 days after the account is seized. The request shall include copies of the notices or other proof of the assessment of fees for which reimbursement is sought. (c) The Administration is not required to reimburse an account holder of interest for fees incurred if: (1) the account holder of interest fails to make a request for reimbursement within 60 days after the account was seized; (2) the account holder of interest fails to provide proof of the assessment of fees; or (3) the fees were incurred as a result of a debit made to the account after the account holder of interest had actual notice of the account seizure. (d) This section does not apply to fees incurred as a result of a judicial garnishment. (e) A financial institution has no obligation to reimburse fees assessed as a result of the Administration instituting an action under § 10-108.3 of this subtitle or as otherwise permitted by law or authorized by contract.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-108.5

§10–108.5. (a) In any case in which a court has ordered an obligor to send support payments directly to an obligee, the Administration may direct an obligor to forward any support payments through a support enforcement agency if the Administration has: (1) sent a notice to the obligor directing the obligor to send support payments through a support enforcement agency; (2) advised the obligee that it is issuing a notice to change payees under this section; and (3) filed a notice with the court that the Administration is directing the obligor to change payees. (b) When an obligor receives notice to change payees under subsection (a) of this section, the obligor shall forward all future support payments to the support enforcement agency designated in the notice.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-108.6

§10–108.6. (a) In order to establish, modify, or enforce a duty of support, the Administration may issue subpoenas to compel the production of documents and other tangible items. (b) A subpoena issued under subsection (a) of this section shall: (1) specify the name and address of the person to be subpoenaed; (2) describe the items to be produced with particularity; and (3) include a return date for the subpoena. (c) The Administration may serve a subpoena by: (1) hand delivery; or (2) certified mail. (d) If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued by the Administration, the Administration may: (1) reissue the subpoena; (2) exercise the Administration’s authority under § 10-119.3 of this subtitle to suspend any license held by the person; or (3) apply, upon affidavit, to any judge of a circuit court for an order requiring the person to obey the subpoena. (e) If a person knowingly fails or refuses to obey a court order to comply with a subpoena issued under this section, the court may compel compliance with the administrative subpoena in any manner available to the court to enforce its own order or subpoena.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-108.7

§10–108.7. The Administration shall establish a State disbursement unit for collection and disbursement of support payments in any case in which: (1) an assignment is made under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article; (2) an obligee files an application and pays a fee for child support services as required by the Administration; or (3) an employer is required to send payments to a support enforcement agency.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-109

The Administration shall approve for child support services any individual who files an application and pays a fee for child support services as required by the Administration.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-110

§10–110. ** CONTINGENCY – IN EFFECT – CHAPTER 162 OF 2008 ** (a) The Administration may: (1) charge an initial application fee of not more than $ 25 for support services; (2) deduct from the child support payment to defray the cost of providing support enforcement services under: (i) the Income Tax Refund Intercept Program under this subtitle; and (ii) the Federal Treasury Offset Program; (3) collect fees from the obligor to defray the costs of providing support enforcement services; and (4) deduct from child support payments an annual collection fee in an amount not exceeding the amount authorized under 42 U.S.C. § 654(6)(b)(ii) for cases in which the family never received temporary cash assistance and has received at least $ 3,500 in child support payments during the federal fiscal year. (b) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the Administration may not: (1) collect fees from the child support obligee; or (2) deduct fees from the child support payment. §10–110. ** CONTINGENCY – NOT IN EFFECT – CHAPTER 162 OF 2008 ** (a) The Administration may: (1) charge an initial application fee of not more than $25 for support services; (2) deduct from the child support payment to defray the cost of providing support enforcement services under: (i) the Income Tax Refund Intercept Program under this subtitle; and (ii) the Federal Treasury Offset Program; and (3) collect fees from the obligor to defray the costs of providing support enforcement services. (b) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the Administration may not: (1) collect fees from the child support obligee; or (2) deduct fees from the child support payment.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-111

(a) The Administration may make a cooperative agreement with a private or public agency, a circuit court, an institution, or a law enforcement official as to: (1) establishing paternity; (2) establishing liability for support; (3) collecting support; or (4) enforcing a court order to pay support. (b) A cooperative agreement made under this section may include arrangements for reimbursement for expenditures incurred that are reimbursable under federal regulations that relate to federal financial participation in the operation of a support enforcement program.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-112

(a) (1) Subject to the best interest of the child, if the Administration considers it to be in the best interest of this State in a case in which an assignment has been made under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article, the Administration may accept in full settlement of an arrearage in child support payments an amount that is less than the total arrearage. (2) On request of the Administration, a court may approve by order an amount that is less than the total arrearage as full settlement of the arrearage. (b) (1) In a case in which an assignment has been made under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article, there is a presumption that it is in the best interest of this State for the Administration to accept in full settlement of an arrearage in child support payments an amount that is less than the total arrearage if: (i) 1. the obligor, the individual who has made an assignment under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article, and the child who is the subject of the support order have resided together for at least the 12 months immediately preceding a request for settlement under this section; or 2. the obligor and the child who is the subject of the support order have resided together for at least the 12 months immediately preceding a request for settlement under this section, and the individual who has made an assignment under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article is deceased, incapacitated, or otherwise unavailable to reside with the obligor and the child; (ii) the obligor has been supporting the child for at least the 12 months immediately preceding a request for settlement under this section; and (iii) the gross income of the obligor is less than 225 percent of the federal poverty level, as defined by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(i)2 of this subsection, an individual who has made an assignment under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article may not be considered incapacitated or otherwise unavailable due solely to a change in legal or physical custody of the child. (3) (i) If the Administration does not accept in full settlement of an arrearage in child support payments an amount that is less than the total arrearage under this subsection, the Administration shall notify the obligor of the decision and of the obligor’s right to appeal the decision to the Office of Administrative Hearings. (ii) An appeal under this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. (c) The Secretary of Human Services, in cooperation with the Office of Administrative Hearings, may adopt regulations to implement this section.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-112.1

§10–112.1. (a) In this section, “Program” means the Child Support Payment Incentive Program. (b) (1) By June 1, 2008, the Administration shall develop a statewide Child Support Payment Incentive Program to encourage payment of child support in cases in which an assignment has been made under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article by entering into agreements with child support obligors in exchange for reductions in the amount of arrearages as authorized under § 10–112 of this subtitle. (2) The Administration shall develop an electronic application process for participation in the Program. (c) (1) (i) To participate in the Program, the obligor’s income shall meet the criteria described in § 10–112(b)(1)(iii) of this subtitle. (ii) For purposes of determining the applicable federal poverty level for a Program applicant, the obligor’s household shall include the children for whom the obligor is required to pay child support under a child support order that is the subject of the application to the Program. (2) (i) In determining whether to authorize an obligor to participate in the Program, the Administration shall consider the following factors: 1. whether the obligor has a current ability to pay; 2. whether the reduction of arrearages will encourage the obligor’s economic stability; and 3. whether the agreement serves the best interests of the children whom the obligor is required to support. (ii) If any of the factors specified in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph are met, there is a presumption that it is in the best interest of the State to authorize an obligor to participate in the Program. (d) (1) Except as provided under paragraph (3) of this subsection, under the Program, the Administration shall agree to reduce the arrearages in accordance with the following schedule: (i) after 12 months of uninterrupted court–ordered payments, the arrearages shall be reduced by 50% of the amount of arrearages owed before the agreement; and (ii) after 24 months of uninterrupted court–ordered payments, the arrearages balance shall be reduced to zero in full settlement of the arrearages. (2) In determining the period of uninterrupted payments made under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Administration shall include any uninterrupted court–ordered payments made immediately before the obligor’s participation in the Program. (3) The Administration may develop an alternative schedule for obligors who are employed seasonally. (e) The Administration shall distribute any child support arrearages received under this section in accordance with federal law. (f) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, for the duration of an agreement under subsection (d) of this section, all child support enforcement actions shall be suspended, unless the suspension would be in conflict with federal law. (2) For the duration of an agreement under subsection (d) of this section, any earnings withholding shall continue in an amount consistent with the agreement. (g) (1) When the Administration enters into a Program agreement with an obligor, the Administration shall file a copy of the agreement with the court within 30 days after the agreement is executed. (2) If an obligor satisfies the requirements for a reduction in arrearages under the schedule specified in subsection (d) of this section, the Administration shall: (i) file a notice of reduction of arrearages with the court; and (ii) provide a copy of the notice to the obligor that reflects the adjusted amount of any arrearages that the obligor owes. (h) A Program agreement is effective without the necessity of judicial approval. (i) (1) An agreement under this section shall be terminated if the obligor fails to make payments equal to two times the monthly support obligation amount. (2) An obligor who has been terminated from a Program agreement more than two times is not eligible for future participation in the Program. (j) (1) The Administration shall develop an application form for obligors to request participation in the Program. (2) Within 60 days after receipt of a request from an obligor, the Administration shall provide a written decision to the obligor. (3) (i) If the Administration does not authorize participation of an obligor in the Program, the Administration shall notify the obligor of the decision and of the obligor’s right to appeal the decision to the Office of Administrative Hearings. (ii) An appeal under this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. (k) (1) If an unemployed obligor applies to participate in the Program, the Administration shall give the obligor a list of referrals to programs that prepare individuals for entry into the workforce. (2) If an obligor becomes unemployed through no fault of the obligor, the Administration: (i) shall give the obligor a list of referrals for securing reemployment; and (ii) for up to 6 months of unemployment, may not penalize the obligor for payments missed due to unemployment and on reemployment, uninterrupted payments shall be added to the payments made before the obligor’s unemployment for purposes of determining the period of uninterrupted payments under subsection (d)(1) of this section. (l) The Administration and each local support enforcement office shall jointly develop and continue to update a public awareness campaign to publicize statewide the availability of the Program and the manner of applying to participate in the Program, with a focus on those jurisdictions with a low rate of participation in the Program. (m) The Administration shall develop, maintain, and continuously update training and awareness materials for use within the Administration and local support enforcement offices to ensure that staff members are aware of the Program and its benefits. (n) The Secretary of Human Services may adopt regulations to implement this section.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-113

(a) Each year, the Administration may certify to the State Comptroller any obligor who is in arrears of support payments amounting to more than $150 under the court order, if: (1) the Administration has accepted an assignment of support under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article; or (2) the recipient of support payments has filed an application for support enforcement services with the Administration. (b) The Administration shall notify the obligor that: (1) a certification has been made by the Administration; and (2) the obligor may ask the Administration to investigate the arrearage. (c) The certification shall include, if known: (1) the full name of the obligor, and any other names known to be used by the obligor; (2) the address and the Social Security number of the obligor; and (3) the amount of the arrearage. (d) (1) On receipt of notice of certification, any obligor who disputes the existence or amount of the arrearage may ask the Administration to investigate the arrearage. (2) On receipt of a request for investigation from the obligor, the Administration shall: (i) conduct an investigation as to the accuracy of the reported arrearage; and (ii) if the Administration finds that there is an error, correct the amount of the reported arrearage or withdraw the certification. (e) The State Comptroller may not question the certification made by the Administration. (f) The State Comptroller shall: (1) withhold and pay to the Administration any income tax refund due to the obligor, in an amount not more than the amount of the arrearage; (2) pay to the obligor any part of the income tax refund over the amount of the arrearage; and (3) notify the obligor of: (i) the amount paid to the Administration; and (ii) the rights of the obligor under subsection (g) of this section. (g) (1) On receipt of notice of intercept from the State Comptroller, any obligor who disputes the existence or amount of the arrearage may appeal to the Administration. (2) If the Administration finds that an excessive amount was withheld from the obligor’s income tax refund or State lottery prize, the Administration promptly shall pay to the taxpayer the excess amount withheld. (h) The State Comptroller shall honor refund interception requests in the following order: (1) a refund interception request to collect an unpaid State, county, or municipal tax; (2) a refund interception request under this Part II of this subtitle for arrears of support payments; (3) a refund interception request for converted funds under § 15–122.2 of the Health – General Article; and (4) any other refund interception request. (i) The Secretary of Human Services and the State Comptroller may adopt rules and regulations to carry out this section.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-113.1

§10–113.1. (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) “Agency” means the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. (3) “Video lottery facility” has the meaning stated in § 9–1A–01 of the State Government Article. (4) “Video lottery operation licensee” has the meaning stated in § 9–1A–01 of the State Government Article. (b) The Administration may certify to the Agency the name of any obligor who is in arrears in the amount of $150 or more if: (1) the Administration has accepted an assignment of support under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article; or (2) the recipient of support payments has filed an application for support enforcement services with the Administration. (c) The certification shall contain: (1) the full name of the obligor, and any other names known to be used by the obligor; (2) the Social Security number of the obligor; and (3) the amount of the arrearage. (d) If an obligor who has been certified as an obligor wins a lottery prize to be paid by check directly by the Agency, the Agency shall send a notice to the obligor that: (1) the obligor has won a prize to be paid by check directly by the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency; (2) the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency has received certification from the Child Support Administration of the obligor’s child support arrearage in the amount specified; (3) State law requires the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency to withhold the prize and to pay it towards the obligor’s support arrearage; (4) the obligor has 15 days to appeal to the Administration if the obligor disputes the existence or the amount of the arrearage; and (5) on interception of the prize, the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency will transfer the prize or the part of the prize that equals the obligor’s child support arrearage to the Administration. (e) If an obligor who owes child support and has been certified as an obligor wins a prize at a video lottery facility requiring the issuance of Internal Revenue Service form W–2G or a substantially equivalent form by a video lottery operation licensee, the video lottery operation licensee shall provide a notice to the obligor that: (1) the obligor has won a prize to be paid by cash or check directly by the video lottery operation licensee; (2) the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency has received certification from the Child Support Administration of the obligor’s child support arrearage in the amount specified; (3) State law requires the video lottery operation licensee to withhold the prize and to pay it towards the obligor’s child support arrearage; (4) the obligor has 15 days to appeal to the Administration if the obligor disputes the existence or the amount of the child support arrearage; and (5) on interception of the prize, the video lottery operation licensee will transfer the prize or the part of the prize that equals the obligor’s child support arrearage to the Administration. (f) (1) The Agency or the video lottery operation licensee shall: (i) withhold and transfer all or part of the prize up to the amount of the arrearage to the Administration; and (ii) pay the excess to the obligor. (2) The Agency and a video lottery operation licensee shall honor interception requests in the following order: (i) an interception request under this section; (ii) an interception request under § 11–618 of the Criminal Procedure Article; and (iii) an interception request under § 3–307 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. (g) (1) On receipt of a notice from the Agency or video lottery operation licensee, an obligor who disputes the existence or amount of the arrearage may appeal the transfer. (2) If no appeal is filed within 15 days, the Administration may retain the withheld prize. (3) If the obligor appeals the transfer, after a hearing by the Administration, the withheld prize shall be: (i) paid to the obligor; (ii) retained by the Administration; or (iii) partly paid to the obligor and partly retained by the Administration, in the amounts specified. (h) The Secretary of Human Services and the Director of the Agency may jointly adopt regulations to implement this section. (i) A video lottery operation licensee may not be held liable for an act or omission taken in good faith to comply substantially with the requirements of this section.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-113.2

§10–113.2. (a) The Administration may certify to the State Comptroller any obligor who is in arrears under a child support order, if: (1) the amount of arrears exceeds $150; and (2) the Administration is providing services in the case under Title IV, Part D, of the federal Social Security Act. (b) The Administration shall notify the obligor that: (1) a certification has been made by the Administration; and (2) the obligor has a right to request an investigation as provided under subsection (d) of this section. (c) The certification shall include, if known: (1) the full name of the obligor, and any other names known to be used by the obligor; (2) the address and Social Security number of the obligor; and (3) the amount of the arrearage. (d) (1) Within 30 days of the date of the notice of certification, an obligor who disputes the existence or amount of the arrearage may request that the Administration conduct an investigation of the arrearage. (2) (i) On receipt of a request for investigation from the obligor, the Administration shall conduct an investigation as to the existence or amount of the arrearage. (ii) On completion of the investigation, the Administration shall notify the obligor of the outcome of the investigation. (iii) If, after the investigation the Administration finds there is an error, the Administration shall correct the amount of the reported arrears, or, if appropriate, withdraw the certification. (e) The State Comptroller shall: (1) withhold the amount of the arrearage from: (i) any payment due to the obligor; or (ii) any abandoned property delivered to the State Comptroller under Title 17 of the Commercial Law Article in which the obligor has an interest; (2) forward the amount withheld to the Administration; and (3) notify the obligor of: (i) the amount paid to the Administration; and (ii) the right to appeal the intercept to the Office of Administrative Hearings as provided in subsection (g) of this section. (f) On receipt of the intercepted payment, the Administration shall: (1) retain any part of the payment that does not exceed the amount of arrearage owed at the time the payment was received; and (2) pay to the obligor any part of the payment that exceeds the amount of arrearage owed at the time the payment was received. (g) (1) Within 30 days of the date of the notice of intercept from the State Comptroller, an obligor who disputes the existence or amount of the arrearage may appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings. (2) An appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. (h) The Secretary of Human Services and the State Comptroller may adopt regulations to carry out this section.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-114

(a) The Secretary of Human Services shall: (1) adopt rules and regulations for the collection of support; (2) adopt standards for staffing, record keeping, reporting, intergovernmental cooperation, and other management operations that are necessary to proper and efficient collection of support; (3) delegate any responsibility for support enforcement to a local department, for as long as: (i) the local government asks that responsibility be delegated to the local department; (ii) the Secretary finds that the local department is capable of carrying out the responsibility; and (iii) a delegation of that responsibility is consistent with guidelines of the Department of Human Services; (4) delegate any responsibility for support enforcement to the clerk of a circuit court, for as long as: (i) the local government and the clerk, with the approval of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland, ask that responsibility be delegated to the clerk; (ii) the Secretary finds that the clerk is capable of carrying out the responsibility; (iii) a delegation of that responsibility is consistent with guidelines of the Department of Human Services; and (iv) the Administration makes a cooperative agreement with the clerk that: 1. includes arrangements for reimbursement for expenditures incurred by the clerk that are reimbursable under federal regulations that relate to federal financial participation in the operation of a support enforcement program; and 2. provides that federal collection incentives that would be payable to the county if the county had a local support enforcement office shall be payable to the Fund established in § 10–106.1 of this subtitle; and (5) adopt regulations establishing procedures for the periodic review and adjustment of child support orders being enforced by a support enforcement agency. (b) The clerk of a circuit court, with the approval of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland, may: (1) make a written agreement with the Secretary of Human Services and the Administration to provide support enforcement services pursuant to a delegation of responsibility under subsection (a) of this section; (2) employ the personnel necessary to perform the support enforcement services, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, including any law on the practice of law by employees of a clerk; and (3) include in the clerk’s annual budget request submitted to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland the projected costs of administering the support enforcement program that are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Secretary of Human Services and the Administration.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-115

(a) In this section, “legal proceeding” means: (1) a civil action for child support; (2) a paternity proceeding under Title 5, Subtitle 10 of this article; and (3) a proceeding under Subtitle 3 of this title. (b) In any support action in which the Administration is providing child support services under federal law, the Administration may initiate a legal proceeding to establish, modify, or enforce a duty of support. (c) In a legal proceeding, the Administration shall be represented by: (1) the Attorney General; (2) the State’s Attorney, if the State’s Attorney has agreed to provide representation under subsection (g) of this section; or (3) a qualified lawyer who is appointed by and subject to supervision and removal by the Attorney General. (d) An attorney who initiates or participates in a legal proceeding under this section shall represent the Administration. (e) Representation of the Administration by an attorney under this section: (1) creates an attorney–client relationship between that attorney and the Administration; and (2) does not create an attorney–client relationship between that attorney and any other person. (f) The attorney representing the Administration in a legal proceeding under this section shall advise the person whom the Administration has approved for child support services that the attorney’s representation of the Administration does not create an attorney–client relationship between the attorney and that person. (g) (1) A State’s Attorney may make a written agreement with the Secretary of Human Services and the county to provide legal representation for a fiscal year. An agreement shall be made by September 1 of the year preceding the fiscal year for which representation will be provided. (2) An agreement shall establish reasonable administrative and fiscal requirements for: (i) providing and continuing representation; and (ii) reimbursement.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-116

(a) A local support enforcement office: (1) shall be funded from local and federal resources; and (2) may keep any surcharge that is assessed against the obligor to defray the costs of support collection. (b) The Administration shall pay a county that has a local support enforcement office collection incentives pursuant to a methodology based on the performance of the county in accordance with regulations adopted by the Administration under subsection (d) of this section. (c) The rules, regulations, and standards of a local support enforcement office control if they generally conform to those adopted by the Secretary of Human Services under § 10–114 of this subtitle. (d) The Administration shall adopt any regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-117

(a) A county or circuit court with a local support enforcement office may request that the responsibility for support enforcement be transferred to the Administration. (b) A request for transfer of responsibility under this section must be made to the Department of Human Services by September 1 of the year preceding the fiscal year for which responsibility will be transferred. (c) Any personnel of the local support enforcement office involved in a transfer under this section shall be in the State Personnel Management System and shall be placed in the position that is comparable to or most closely compares to their former position, without further examination or qualification. These employees shall be credited with the years of service with the jurisdiction for purposes of seniority, including the determination of leave accumulation and the determination of layoff rights under Title 11, Subtitle 2 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article, and shall remain members of the Employees’ Pension System of the State of Maryland. These employees shall receive no diminution in compensation or accumulated leave solely as a result of the transfer. The salary grade of these employees shall be determined using a salary based on the same hourly rate of salary of the employee at the time of transfer. Annual leave in excess of that which may be retained annually in the State Personnel Management System may be retained at the time of transfer if that accumulation was permitted by the former employer.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-118

Subject to any federal law or program, the Administration and local support enforcement offices shall promote and serve the best interests of the child in carrying out their child support responsibilities under this subtitle.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-119

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) “License” has the meaning stated in § 11–128 of the Transportation Article. (3) “Motor Vehicle Administration” means the Motor Vehicle Administration of the Department of Transportation. (b) (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, the Administration may notify the Motor Vehicle Administration of an obligor with a noncommercial or commercial license who is 120 days or more out of compliance, with the most recent order of the court in making child support payments if: (i) the Administration has accepted an assignment of support under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article; or (ii) the recipient of support payments has filed an application for support enforcement services with the Administration. (2) Upon notification by the Administration under this subsection, the Motor Vehicle Administration: (i) shall suspend the obligor’s license or privilege to drive in the State; and (ii) may issue a work–restricted license or work–restricted privilege to drive in the State in accordance with § 16–203 of the Transportation Article. (c) (1) Before supplying any information to the Motor Vehicle Administration under this section, the Administration shall: (i) send written notice of the proposed action to the obligor, including notice of the obligor’s right to request an investigation on any of the following grounds: 1. the information regarding the reported arrearage is inaccurate; 2. suspension of the obligor’s license or privilege to drive would be an impediment to the obligor’s current or potential employment; or 3. suspension of the obligor’s license or privilege to drive would place an undue hardship on the obligor because of the obligor’s: A. documented disability resulting in a verified inability to work; or B. inability to comply with the court order; and (ii) give the obligor a reasonable opportunity to request an investigation of the proposed action of the Administration. (2) (i) Upon receipt of a request for investigation from the obligor, the Administration shall conduct an investigation to determine if any of the grounds under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection exist. (ii) The Administration shall: 1. send a copy of the obligor’s request for an investigation to the obligee by first–class mail; 2. give the obligee a reasonable opportunity to respond; and 3. consider the obligee’s response. (iii) Upon completion of the investigation, the Administration shall notify the obligor of the results of the investigation and the obligor’s right to appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings. (3) (i) An appeal under this section shall be conducted in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. (ii) An appeal shall be made in writing and shall be received by the Office of Administrative Hearings within 20 days after the notice to the obligor of the results of the investigation. (4) If, after the investigation or appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Administration finds that one of the grounds under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection exists, the Administration may not send any information about the obligor to the Motor Vehicle Administration. (5) The Administration may not send any information about an obligor to the Motor Vehicle Administration if: (i) the Administration reaches an agreement with the obligor regarding a scheduled payment of the obligor’s child support arrearage or a court issues an order for a scheduled payment of the child support arrearage; and (ii) the obligor is complying with the agreement or court order. (d) (1) If, after information about an obligor is supplied to the Motor Vehicle Administration, the obligor’s arrearage is paid in full, the obligor has demonstrated good faith by paying the ordered amount of support for 6 consecutive months, the obligor is a participant in full compliance in an employment program approved by the Administration, or the Administration finds that one of the grounds under subsection (c)(1)(i) of this section exists, the Administration shall notify the Motor Vehicle Administration to reinstate the obligor’s license or privilege to drive. (2) The Administration may request that the Motor Vehicle Administration expunge a record of a suspension of a license or privilege to drive for failure to pay child support: (i) for an obligor who is enrolled in and compliant with an employment program approved by the Administration; or (ii) if the information reported by the Administration that led to the suspension was inaccurate. (e) The Secretary of Human Services, in cooperation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Office of Administrative Hearings, shall adopt regulations to implement this section. (f) (1) This section does not apply to an obligor whose individual income for the current year is not greater than 250% of the federal poverty guidelines unless the obligor was judicially determined at the time the most recent child support order was entered to be voluntarily impoverished under § 12–204 of this article. (2) To determine the income of an obligor under this subsection, the Administration may consider: (i) the income of the obligor at the time the most recent child support order was entered; or (ii) information on the obligor’s income provided by the obligor or an employer of the obligor.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-119.3

§10–119.3. (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) “License” means any license, certificate, registration, permit, or other authorization that: (i) is issued by a licensing authority; (ii) is subject to suspension, revocation, forfeiture, or termination by a licensing authority; and (iii) is necessary for an individual to practice or engage in: 1. a particular business, occupation, or profession; or 2. recreational hunting or fishing. (3) (i) “Licensing authority” means a department, unit of a department, commission, board, office, or court of the State. (ii) “Licensing authority” includes: 1. the Maryland Department of Labor; 2. the Maryland Department of Health; 3. the Department of Human Services; 4. the Department of Transportation; 5. the Department of the Environment; 6. the Comptroller of the Treasury; 7. the Department of Agriculture; 8. the Maryland Insurance Administration; 9. the Public Service Commission; 10. the Secretary of State; 11. the State Department of Education; 12. the Department of Natural Resources; 13. the Office of the Attorney General; 14. the clerks of the court that are authorized to issue a license or certificate for professional services or recreational uses; and 15. the Supreme Court of Maryland. (b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a licensing authority shall: (i) require each applicant for a license to disclose the Social Security number of the applicant; and (ii) record the applicant’s Social Security number on the application. (2) The Department of Natural Resources shall: (i) require an applicant for a recreational hunting or fishing license to disclose only the last four digits of the Social Security number of the applicant instead of the full Social Security number; and (ii) record the applicant’s partial Social Security number on the application. (3) Each health occupations board and the State Emergency Services Board shall: (i) require each applicant for a license to: 1. disclose the Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number of the applicant; or 2. provide alternative documentation as permitted by the Department of Health and Human Services under Section 466(a)(13) of the Social Security Act; and (ii) record the applicant’s Social Security number, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or alternative documentation provided under item (i) of this paragraph in the application file. (c) (1) To carry out its responsibility under State and federal law, the Administration may request from a licensing authority information concerning any obligor in arrears in paying child support through a support enforcement agency. (2) A request for information by the Administration under paragraph (1) of this subsection: (i) shall contain: 1. the full name of the obligor; and 2. A. the Social Security number or, as appropriate, the partial Social Security number of the obligor, if known; or B. the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number of the obligor, if known; and (ii) may be transmitted to a licensing authority using an electronic format. (3) A request for information may not be made by the Administration to a licensing authority more frequently than four times in each calendar year except with respect to an obligor whom the Administration has reason to believe is licensed by, or has applied for a license from, the licensing authority. (4) In addition to requests for information under this subsection, the Administration may request a licensing authority to periodically share its licensing database with the Administration. (d) (1) Upon receipt of a request for information under subsection (c) of this section, a licensing authority shall submit the following information to the Administration with respect to each obligor who is licensed by, or has applied for a license from, the licensing authority: (i) the full name of the obligor; (ii) the address of the obligor, if known; (iii) if known: 1. the Social Security number or, as appropriate, the partial Social Security number of the obligor; or 2. the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number of the obligor; and (iv) a description of the license held by the obligor. (2) The information may be transmitted to the Administration in an electronic format. (3) Except as otherwise provided by law, any record compiled under this subsection shall be made available only to a person who has a right to the record in an official capacity. (e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection and subject to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section, the Administration may request a licensing authority to suspend or deny an individual’s license if: (i) 1. the individual is 120 days or more out of compliance with the most recent order; and 2. A. the Administration has accepted an assignment of support under § 5–312(b)(2) of the Human Services Article; or B. the recipient of support payments has filed an application for support enforcement services with the Administration; or (ii) the individual has failed to comply with a subpoena issued by the Administration under § 10–108.6 of this subtitle. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, upon notification by the Administration under this section, a licensing authority shall: (i) suspend an individual’s license; or (ii) deny the license of an individual who is an applicant for a license from the licensing authority. (3) (i) This paragraph applies if the licensing authority is the Supreme Court of Maryland. (ii) If an individual meets the criteria specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Administration may make a referral to the Attorney Grievance Commission for proceedings in accordance with the Maryland Rules governing attorney discipline. (iii) On recommendation of the Attorney Grievance Commission, the Supreme Court of Maryland may suspend an individual’s license or take other action against the individual as authorized by the Maryland Rules governing attorney discipline. (iv) The Supreme Court of Maryland may adopt rules to implement the provisions of this paragraph. (f) (1) At least 30 days before requesting a licensing authority to suspend or deny a license or at least 30 days before making a referral under subsection (e)(3) of this section, the Administration shall: (i) send written notice of the proposed action to the individual whose license is subject to suspension under this section, including notice of the individual’s right to request an investigation; and (ii) give the individual a reasonable opportunity to contest the accuracy of the information. (2) For a license necessary to practice or engage in a particular business, occupation, or profession, the notice shall include a statement that the obligor has the right to request an investigation on the following grounds: (i) the reported arrearage is inaccurate; (ii) 1. the suspension of the license would be an impediment to current or potential employment because the license is necessary for the primary source of income for the obligor; and 2. the obligor has made good faith payments toward the child support obligation; or (iii) the suspension of the license would result in an undue hardship because: 1. the obligor has a documented disability resulting in a verified inability to work; or 2. the suspension of the license would result in the inability of the obligor to comply with the court order. (3) (i) Upon receipt of a request for investigation from an individual whose license is subject to suspension, the Administration shall conduct an investigation. (ii) Upon completion of the investigation, the Administration shall notify the individual of the result of the investigation and the individual’s right to appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings. (4) (i) An appeal under this section shall be conducted in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. (ii) An appeal shall be made in writing and shall be received by the Office of Administrative Hearings within 30 days after the notice to the individual whose license is subject to suspension of the results of the investigation. (5) If, after the investigation or appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Administration finds that it erred in making a decision or that one of the grounds under paragraph (2) of this subsection exists, the Administration may not send a notification about an individual to a licensing authority or make a referral under subsection (e)(3) of this section. (g) The Administration may not send a notification about an individual to a licensing authority or make a referral under subsection (e)(3) of this section if: (1) with respect to an individual with a child support arrearage: (i) the Administration reaches an agreement with the individual regarding a scheduled payment of the child support arrearage or a court issues an order for a scheduled payment of the child support arrearage; and (ii) the individual is complying with the agreement or court order; or (2) with respect to an individual who failed to comply with a subpoena issued under § 10–108.5 of this subtitle, the individual has complied with the subpoena. (h) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, prior to the suspension or denial of a license under subsection (e) of this section, a licensing authority shall send written notice of the proposed action to the individual whose license is subject to suspension or denial, including notice of the individual’s right to contest the identity of the individual whose license or application is to be suspended or denied. (2) If the licensing authority is the Supreme Court of Maryland, notice shall be as provided in the Maryland Rules governing attorney discipline. (i) (1) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an individual may appeal a decision of a licensing authority to suspend or deny the individual’s license in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. (ii) At a hearing under this paragraph, the issue shall be limited to whether the Administration has mistaken the identity of the individual whose license has been suspended or denied. (2) If the licensing authority is the Supreme Court of Maryland, an individual may appeal a decision in accordance with the Maryland Rules governing attorney discipline. (j) The Administration shall notify the licensing authority to reinstate any license suspended or denied under this section within 10 days after the occurrence of any of the following events: (1) the Administration receives a court order to reinstate the suspended license; (2) with respect to an individual with a child support arrearage, the individual has: (i) paid the support arrearage in full; (ii) demonstrated good faith by paying the ordered amount of support for 4 consecutive months; (iii) paid a lump sum equal to four times the ordered amount of monthly support; or (iv) cooperated with the Administration in entering into an enforceable wage withholding order with the maximum deduction permitted under federal law; or (3) with respect to an individual whose license was suspended or denied because of a failure to comply with a subpoena issued under § 10–108.5 of this subtitle, the individual has complied with the subpoena. (k) A licensing authority shall immediately reinstate any license suspended, or process an application for any license denied, under this section if: (1) notified by the Administration that the license should be reinstated; and (2) the individual otherwise qualifies for the license.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-120

(a) In this Part III of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Earnings withholding notice” means a notice in a format prescribed by federal law issued by the Administration to an employer requiring the employer to deduct support payments from the earnings of an obligor. (c) “Earnings withholding order” means an order in a format prescribed by federal law issued by a tribunal to an employer requiring the employer to deduct support payments from the earnings of an obligor. (d) “Support” includes: (1) child support; (2) spousal support; (3) nondifferentiated child and spousal support; and (4) any medical support ordered by the court, including converted funds as defined in § 15–122.2 of the Health – General Article. (e) “Tribunal” has the meaning stated in § 10–301(dd) of this title.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-121

(a) Any order under this Part III of this subtitle that is passed on or after July 1, 1985 shall constitute an immediate and continuing withholding order on all earnings of the obligor that are due on or after the date of the support order. (b) (1) Any order under this Part III of this subtitle that is passed before July 1, 1985 shall become an immediate and continuing withholding order on all earnings of the obligor that are due on or after the date of the withholding order on the filing by the recipient or support enforcement agency of: (i) a motion for a withholding order on the earnings of the obligor; and (ii) a current support order. (2) Notice of the filing of the motion and a statement that the support order constitutes an earnings withholding order subject to the conditions of this Part III of this subtitle shall be sent to the obligor by certified mail, return receipt requested and first–class mail, at the last known home address or, if the home address is unknown, the place of employment of the obligor. (c) Any support order or modification of support order not subject to immediate withholding under § 10-123 of this subtitle, that is passed on or after July 1, 1985, and any notice and statement issued under subsection (b)(2) of this section shall include a statement that: (1) if the obligor accumulates support payments arrears amounting to more than 30 days of support, the obligor shall be subject to earnings withholding; (2) so long as the support order is in effect, the obligor is required to notify the court of: (i) any change of address within 10 days after moving to a new address; or (ii) any change of employment within 10 days after receiving the first earnings from a new employer; and (3) failure to comply with item (2) of this subsection will subject the obligor to a penalty not to exceed $250 and may result in the obligor’s not receiving notice of proceedings for earnings withholding.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-122

(a) The amount of the earnings withholding shall: (1) be enough to pay the support and any arrearage included in the payments required by the support order; and (2) include any arrearage accrued since the support order. (b) (1) (i) When arrearages under subsection (a)(2) of this section are part of an earnings withholding order or earnings withholding notice, the total arrearage withheld shall be in one lump-sum payment or apportioned over a period of time. (ii) The amount of the arrearage withheld under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall be determined by the tribunal or, in a case in which the Administration is providing support services, by the Administration. (2) The amount of arrears under subsection (a)(2) of this section apportioned to each payment shall be at least $1 but not more than 25% of the current support payment. (c) If there is more than one earnings withholding order or earnings withholding notice against a single obligor, the Administration shall allocate amounts available for withholding, giving priority to current support, up to the limits imposed by the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-123

(a) Except as otherwise provided for in this section and notwithstanding any other provision of this Part III, a court shall immediately authorize service of an earnings withholding order when: (1) (i) a support order or modification of support order is passed on or after April 9, 1991; (ii) a case is being enforced by a support enforcement agency; and (iii) the recipient or support enforcement agency requests service of an earnings withholding order; or (2) the Maryland Department of Health requests service of an earnings withholding order for court ordered medical support. (b) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, for all child support orders that are initially issued in the State on or after January 1, 1994, regardless of whether child support payments are in arrears, a court shall immediately authorize service of an earnings withholding order on the effective date of the order. (c) When a court orders immediate service of an earnings withholding order on or after July 1, 1994, the court shall order payments through the State disbursement unit. (d) A court may not authorize the immediate service of an earnings withholding order if: (1) any party demonstrates, and the court finds, that there is good cause to not require immediate earnings withholding; or (2) the court approves of the terms of a written agreement of the parties providing for an alternative method of payment. (e) If the court authorizes the immediate service of an earnings withholding order, the court shall immediately cause a copy of the earnings withholding order to be served on any employer of the obligor.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-124

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Part III, the Administration may serve an earnings withholding notice on an employer of an obligor without the need for any modification of the support order or any further action by a tribunal if: (1) (i) a tribunal has issued a support order; and (ii) the Administration is providing child support services under Title IV, Part D, of the Social Security Act; or (2) an obligor requests the service of an earnings withholding notice. (b) The Administration may serve an employer with an earnings withholding notice using an electronic format if the employer has entered into an agreement with the Administration to accept service of an earnings withholding notice in this manner. (c) When the Administration serves an employer with an earnings withholding notice under this section, the Administration shall send to the obligor, by first-class mail, at the obligor’s last known home address and place of employment: (1) a copy of the earnings withholding notice; (2) a statement of the procedures under § 10-134 of this subtitle that the obligor must follow to terminate earnings withholding; (3) a statement of the obligor’s right to contest the accuracy of the information provided in the earnings withholding notice by filing a motion for a stay of the earnings withholding notice in circuit court or requesting an investigation no later than 30 days after a copy of the withholding notice is mailed to the obligor under this section; and (4) a statement of the amount of arrears apportioned to each payment that is to be included in the amount of earnings withheld under § 10-122 of this subtitle. (d) The only issues that may be adjudicated at a hearing or contested in an investigation under subsection (c)(3) of this section are: (1) whether an arrearage existed; (2) the amount of the withholding or the amount of any arrearage; (3) the identity of the obligor; or (4) that the amount of the withholding notice exceeds the limits of the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act. (e) (1) If an obligor requests an investigation, the Administration shall: (i) conduct an investigation within 15 days after the obligor’s request; and (ii) on completion of the investigation, notify the obligor of the results of the investigation and the obligor’s right to appeal the decision of the Administration to the Office of Administrative Hearings. (2) An appeal under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-125

Except as provided for in § 10-123 of this subtitle, the court may not cause a copy of the earnings withholding order to be served on any employer of the obligor until the court receives a request for service of the earnings withholding order under § 10-126 of this subtitle and the requirements of §§ 10-127 and 10-133 of this subtitle have been met.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-126

(a) If an obligor accrues support payment arrears amounting to more than 30 days of support, the recipient or the support enforcement agency may file a request for service of the earnings withholding order. (b) (1) The request shall: (i) be under oath; (ii) state the last date or dates on which support payments were received, and the amount or amounts of the support payments; and (iii) state the amount of arrearage. (2) The request may be filed on a form which shall be provided by the court. (c) Any person who willfully makes a false representation in a request for service of an earnings withholding order under this section shall be subject to the penalties for perjury. (d) When support payments are being made through the support enforcement agency, the agency shall file the request for service of the earnings withholding order.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-127

(a) When the court receives a request for service of the earnings withholding order under § 10-126 of this subtitle, the court shall send to the obligor, by certified mail, return receipt requested and first–class mail, at the home address or, if the home address is unknown, the place of employment last reported to the court: (1) a copy of the earnings withholding order; (2) a copy of the request for service of the earnings withholding order; (3) a statement of the procedures under § 10-133 of this subtitle that the obligor must follow to contest the earnings withholding; (4) the form permitted under § 10-133(b)(3) of this subtitle; (5) a statement of the issues that may be adjudicated under § 10-133 of this subtitle; and (6) notice that: (i) the order will be served on the employer and will include arrears as alleged in the request for service of the earnings withholding order unless the obligor moves for a stay of service within 15 days of mailing the notice under this section; and (ii) the arrears accrued since the issuance of the support order will be apportioned according to the requirements of § 10-122 of this subtitle. (b) If the obligor fails to move for a stay under § 10-133 of this subtitle, the court shall immediately cause a copy of the earnings withholding order to be served on the employer of the obligor.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-128

(a) An earnings withholding order or an earnings withholding notice sent to the obligor’s employer shall: (1) be a separate document, and not include any other orders or pleadings; and (2) include only the following information: (i) the amount to be withheld from the obligor’s earnings including explanation of the application of the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act limits; (ii) that subject to further orders of the tribunal, the employer is required to withhold the stated amount on a regular and continuing basis commencing on the beginning of the next pay period after receipt of the earnings withholding order or the earnings withholding notice; (iii) that the employer may deduct and retain from the employee’s earnings an additional $2 for each deduction made under the earnings withholding order or earnings withholding notice; (iv) that the net amount withheld is to be sent promptly to the State disbursement unit; and (v) any other information that the employer needs to comply with the earnings withholding order or earnings withholding notice. (b) An earnings withholding order or earnings withholding notice is binding on each present and future employer of the obligor on whom a copy of the earnings withholding order or earnings withholding notice is served. (c) Subject to federal law, an earnings withholding order or earnings withholding notice under this Part III of this subtitle has priority over any other lien or legal process. (d) The copy of the earnings withholding order or earnings withholding notice served on the employer of the obligor shall contain a statement that upon willful violation of the earnings withholding order or earnings withholding notice the employer shall be subject to civil penalties.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-129

(a) On receipt of a copy of an earnings withholding order or earnings withholding notice an employer shall, beginning with the next pay period after receipt of the earnings withholding order or earnings withholding notice: (1) deduct the amount of the withholding from the obligor’s earnings on a regular basis; and (2) send the deducted net amount directly to the State disbursement unit within 7 days not including Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday after the day on which the earnings are paid to the obligor. (b) An employer may deduct and retain from the obligor’s wages an additional $2 for each deduction made under the earnings withholding order or earnings withholding notice. (c) An employer may not use the withholding as a basis for: (1) reprisal against the obligor; (2) dismissal of the obligor from employment; or (3) refusal to hire or to promote the obligor. (d) (1) Subject to the provisions of § 10-131 of this subtitle: (i) the recipient or the support enforcement agency may bring a civil action against an employer who willfully violates subsection (a) of this section; and (ii) an employer is liable for damages under this subsection in an amount equal to the amount of any withholding that the employer failed to deduct from the obligor’s earnings or failed to send within the time required under subsection (a) of this section. (2) The employer’s liability under this subsection shall be in addition to any amounts paid directly or indirectly by the obligor.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-130

Within 10 days after the employer receives notice of an obligor’s decision to terminate employment or within 10 days after the termination, whichever occurs earlier, the employer shall: (1) notify the court and the support enforcement agency; and (2) forward to the court any available information as to the obligor’s: (i) Social Security number; (ii) home address; and (iii) new place of employment.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-131

(a) If the address of a recipient changes, the recipient, within 10 days after moving to the new address, shall send the change of address to: (1) the court: (i) by certified mail, return receipt requested; or (ii) by filing in person at the court and obtaining proof of filing; (2) the obligor, at the obligor’s last known address, by first–class mail; and (3) (i) each employer who has been served with a copy of the earnings withholding order, by first–class mail; or (ii) if the support enforcement agency receives the support payments, the support enforcement agency: 1. by certified mail, return receipt requested; 2. if the agency’s website allows parents to update address information, by entering the new address on–line; 3. by filing in person at the agency and obtaining proof of filing; or 4. by telephone or electronic communication to the agency and obtaining proof of change. (b) If, because of the failure of a recipient to give notice under this section, an employer or the support enforcement agency is unable for a 2-month period to deliver deductions under the earnings withholding order, the employer or agency: (1) may not make further deductions; (2) shall return each undeliverable payment to the obligor; and (3) shall notify the court.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-132

If the address or place of employment of the obligor changes, the obligor, within 10 days after moving to a new address or receiving the first earnings from a new employer, shall send the change of address or new place of employment to: (1) the court: (i) by certified mail, return receipt requested; or (ii) by filing in person at the court and obtaining proof of filing; and (2) (i) if the recipient receives the support payments, the recipient, by first–class mail; or (ii) if the support enforcement agency receives the support payments, the support enforcement agency: 1. by certified mail, return receipt requested; 2. if the agency’s website allows parents to update address and employment information, by entering the new address or place of employment on–line; 3. by filing in person at the agency and obtaining proof of filing; or 4. by telephone or electronic communication to the agency and obtaining proof of change.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-133

(a) Except as provided in § 10-123 or § 10-124 of this subtitle, an obligor may contest the issuance of an earnings withholding order by moving for a stay of the order no later than 15 days after a copy of the withholding order is mailed to the obligor under § 10-127 of this subtitle. (b) A motion for a stay of the withholding order: (1) shall be under oath; (2) shall state the grounds for contesting the earnings withholding, including dates and amount of payments in dispute; and (3) may be on a form that shall be prepared by the court. (c) Any person who willfully makes a false representation of facts on a motion for stay of the withholding order under this section shall be subject to the penalties for perjury. (d) Upon receipt of a motion for a stay of the withholding order under subsection (a) of this section, the court shall immediately notify the recipient and the support enforcement agency, if applicable, and shall schedule a hearing within 15 days. (e) The only issues that may be adjudicated at a hearing scheduled under this section are: (1) whether the alleged arrearage existed; (2) the amount of the arrearage; (3) the identity of the obligor; and (4) that the amount of the withholding order exceeds the limits of the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act. (f) Payment of arrearage after the date of the motion for service of the withholding order is not a defense against withholding. (g) After adjudication of the issues under subsection (e) of this section, if the court finds that the obligor owed an amount in excess of 30 days’ support at the time the request for service of the withholding order was filed, the court shall cause the earnings withholding order to be served on the obligor’s employer immediately and shall deny the stay. (h) If the court finds that the amount of the withholding order exceeds the limits of the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, the court shall alter the amount of the earnings withholding to the maximum allowed under the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act. (i) In any event, the court shall rule on the request for service of the earnings withholding order within 45 days of the mailing of the notice to the obligor.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-134

(a) On motion of the obligor or the recipient that may be filed on a form which shall be prepared by the court, the court shall terminate the withholding if: (1) the support obligation is terminated and the total arrearages are paid; (2) all of the parties join in a motion for termination of the withholding; or (3) within 60 days of the withholding order being served, the court finds: (i) no history of child support arrearages; and (ii) the arrearage which gave rise to the withholding order was the result of a bona fide medical emergency involving hospitalization of the obligor or the death of the obligor’s parents, spouse, children, or stepchildren. (b) The Administration shall notify the employer to terminate the withholding without the necessity of a further order when: (1) the support obligation is fulfilled; and (2) no arrearage exists.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-135

Earnings withholding orders issued out of state shall be enforced in the same manner under this Part III of this subtitle as earnings withholding orders issued in this State.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-136

(a) Support orders issued out of state shall be enforced in the same manner under this Part III of this subtitle as support orders issued in this State. (b) A recipient of an out-of-state support order may file a request for service of an earnings withholding order under § 10-126 of this subtitle by submitting the information required under § 10-126 of this subtitle, and a certified support order or a support order registered in this State. (c) (1) A recipient of an out-of-state support order may request that the support enforcement agency file with the court a request for service of an earnings withholding order under § 10-126 of this subtitle by submitting a request for service, a certified support order, and a statement of arrears under oath. (2) A request under this subsection may be submitted by the recipient or a support enforcement agency.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-137

In the case of an out-of-state obligor or out-of-state employer, the support enforcement agency shall, upon receipt of a request for service of an earnings withholding on the accrual of 30 days’ support arrears, send to the appropriate state agency or court a request for earnings withholding and any information and fees required by that state to process the request.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-138

(a) Upon request of the obligor, the court shall immediately authorize service of an earnings withholding order. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part III, a court may at any time issue an earnings withholding order, in a contempt or other proceeding, if: (1) the recipient or the support enforcement agency has filed a petition that includes a request for an earnings withholding order; and (2) the obligor is in arrears in support payments of more than 30 days. (c) A hearing shall be held if the obligor appears and contests the issuance of the order. (d) The amount of the wage withholding order entered under this subsection: (1) shall be enough to pay the support as originally entered by the court; and (2) may include a part of the arrearage.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-140

(a) (1) Unpaid child support, due under an order requiring payments through a support enforcement agency, constitutes a lien in favor of the obligee on all real and personal property of the obligor. (2) The Administration shall notify the obligor and obligee of any child support lien established under paragraph (1) of this subsection. (b) A child support lien established under subsection (a) of this section arises on the date of notice that the support is due and continues to the date on which the child support lien is: (1) satisfied; (2) released by the Administration because the child support lien is: (i) unenforceable; or (ii) uncollectible; or (3) released by order of the court.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-141

(a) The Administration may file a notice of a child support lien with the clerk of a circuit court. (b) (1) On receipt of a notice of a child support lien, the clerk of a circuit court shall: (i) record and index the lien; and (ii) enter the lien in the judgment docket of the court. (2) The docket entry shall include: (i) the name of the person whose property is subject to the child support lien; and (ii) the amount and date of the child support lien. (c) (1) From the date on which a child support lien is filed, the child support lien has the full force and effect of a judgment lien. (2) A child support lien established under this Part IV of this subtitle may be enforced in accordance with the Maryland Rules.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-142

(a) If a child support lien is not satisfied or released, the Administration may bring an action in a circuit court to enforce the lien. (b) The following persons shall be made parties to the proceeding: (1) each person who has a recorded lien on the property that is sought to be subjected to the proceedings under this section; and (2) each person who claims a right or interest in the property that is sought to be subjected to the proceedings under this section. (c) The court, acting without a jury, shall: (1) adjudicate all matters involved in the proceedings; and (2) determine the merits of all claims or liens. (d) If the claim of the obligee is established, the court may order: (1) a sale of the property or rights to property; and (2) a distribution of any proceeds of sale to the Administration or obligee.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-143

Upon request of the Administration, a child support lien arising in another state may be recorded and enforced in the same manner and to the same extent as a lien arising under § 10-140 of this subtitle.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-144

The remedies provided in this Part IV are in addition to and not in substitution for any other remedies.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-201

(a) A spouse may not willfully fail to provide for the support of the other spouse, without just cause. (b) An individual who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 or imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or both. (c) If an individual is convicted under this section, the court may order the individual to pay any fine wholly or partly to the spouse.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-202

(a) Before trial and with the written consent of the accused individual, or on conviction of the individual under § 10-201 of this subtitle, instead of or in addition to imposing a penalty under § 10-201 of this subtitle, the court may: (1) order the individual to pay spousal support periodically in a certain amount for 3 years; and (2) place the individual on probation on the individual’s entering into a recognizance. (b) In passing the order, the court shall consider the financial circumstances of the accused individual. (c) The accused individual shall make the payments to the spouse directly or through the appropriate support enforcement agency. (d) The court may modify the order as circumstances require.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-203

(a) A parent may not willfully fail to provide for the support of his or her minor child. (b) A parent may not desert his or her minor child. (c) An individual who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 or imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or both.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-204

(a) Before trial and with the written consent of the accused individual, or on conviction of the individual under § 10-203 of this subtitle, instead of or in addition to imposing a penalty under § 10-203 of this subtitle, the court may: (1) order the individual to pay child support periodically in a certain amount for 3 years, or, if there is an agreement with respect to support of the child, order the individual to make payments as provided in the agreement; and (2) place the individual on probation on the individual’s entering into a recognizance. (b) In passing the order, the court shall consider the financial circumstances of the accused individual. (c) The accused individual shall make the payments: (1) to the person who has custody of the minor child, through the appropriate support enforcement agency; or (2) if there is an agreement with respect to support of the child, to the recipient designated in the agreement. (d) The court may modify the order as circumstances require.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-205

(a) A recognizance ordered by the court under § 10-202 or § 10-204 of this subtitle shall be: (1) in an amount that the court directs; and (2) on the conditions that: (i) if the individual is summoned to appear by the court within the 3-year probationary period, the individual shall appear; and (ii) the individual shall pay support as ordered by the court. (b) During the 3-year probationary period, if an individual fails to pay support under the court’s order, the court may proceed to try or sentence the individual. (c) The court may order that a forfeited recognizance be paid wholly or partly as provided in § 10-202(c) or § 10-204(c) of this subtitle, as appropriate.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-206

(a) An order to pay support under this subtitle is a lien on the earnings of the accused individual. (b) The court shall send a certified copy of each order that establishes a lien on earnings to the appropriate support enforcement agency. The support enforcement agency shall notify the individual’s employer of the lien. (c) On receipt of notice of the lien from the support enforcement agency, the employer shall: (1) on a regular basis, deduct the amount of the lien from the individual’s earnings; and (2) send the deducted amount to the support enforcement agency.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-207

(a) If the court sentences an individual who is convicted under § 10-201 or § 10-203 of this subtitle to the jurisdiction of the Division of Correction, the court may order the Commissioner of Correction: (1) to deduct an amount from any earnings of the individual; and (2) to pay that amount at certain intervals: (i) as provided in § 10-202(c) of this subtitle, if the individual is convicted of nonsupport of the individual’s spouse under § 10-201 of this subtitle; or (ii) as provided in § 10-204(c) of this subtitle, if the individual is convicted of nonsupport or desertion of the individual’s minor child under § 10-203 of this subtitle. (b) During the defendant’s imprisonment, the court may modify or revoke the order.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-208

(a) An individual who is charged with nonsupport of the individual’s spouse may be prosecuted in the jurisdiction where the individual or the spouse resides. (b) An individual who is charged with nonsupport or desertion of the individual’s minor child may be prosecuted in the jurisdiction where the individual or the individual’s minor child resides.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-209

The commencement of a civil action for child support does not affect the jurisdiction of the court in a criminal action for nonsupport or desertion.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-212

This Part II of this subtitle applies only to Baltimore City.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-213

(a) On receipt of a complaint or on personal knowledge or information that an individual has violated § 10-201 or § 10-203 of this subtitle, the State’s Attorney, a deputy State’s Attorney, or an assistant State’s Attorney may hold a pretrial inquiry. (b) In connection with any pretrial inquiry under this section: (1) the State’s Attorney may issue a summons that requires a person other than the accused individual to appear, to testify, and to produce documents connected to the inquiry; and (2) the State’s Attorney, a deputy State’s Attorney, or an assistant State’s Attorney may: (i) administer oaths; (ii) examine witnesses; and (iii) receive evidence. (c) (1) If a person fails to obey a summons, or fails to testify or comply with a request of the State’s Attorney, a deputy State’s Attorney, or an assistant State’s Attorney, the State’s Attorney may request the circuit court to order the person: (i) to obey the summons; (ii) to testify; or (iii) to produce any document that the court considers necessary for the inquiry. (2) If a person fails or refuses to obey the order of court after the order has been served, the person is in contempt of court and the court may punish the person for the contempt. (3) A finding of contempt under this subsection is subject to appeal.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-214

Before the State’s Attorney conducts an inquiry under § 10-213 of this subtitle, the State’s Attorney shall notify the accused individual in writing of: (1) the time and place of the inquiry; (2) the accused individual’s right to appear at the inquiry and to produce evidence or information that relates to the matters examined; and (3) the accused individual’s right to testify if the individual: (i) notifies the State’s Attorney of the individual’s desire to testify; and (ii) signs a waiver that permits the individual’s testimony to be used against the individual in any later trial that arises from the inquiry.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-215

(a) After a pretrial inquiry before the State’s Attorney, a deputy State’s Attorney, or an assistant State’s Attorney, the State’s Attorney may: (1) file an information that charges the accused individual with nonsupport or desertion, as appropriate; or (2) seek an indictment that charges the accused individual with nonsupport or desertion, as appropriate. (b) After an information is filed and before trial, the court, with the written consent of the accused individual, may pass an order under § 10-202 or § 10-204 of this subtitle. (c) If the accused individual fails or refuses to consent to a court order being passed, the individual has a right to be tried on the charge.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-216

(a) The clerk of the court shall keep a docket known as the “domestic information docket”. (b) The domestic information docket shall contain the records and orders of each case brought under this Part II of this subtitle.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-219

(a) An individual who has care, custody, or control of a minor child may not desert the child: (1) with the intent that the child become a public charge; or (2) without providing for the child’s support for at least 3 years by a responsible individual or a licensed child care facility. (b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-301

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Child” means an individual, whether over or under the age of majority, who is or is alleged to be owed a duty of support by the individual’s parent or who is or is alleged to be the beneficiary of a support order directed to the parent. (c) “Child support order” means a support order for a child, including a child who has attained the age of majority under the law of the issuing state or foreign country. (d) “Convention” means the Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance, concluded at the Hague on November 23, 2007. (e) “Duty of support” means an obligation imposed or imposable by law to provide support for a child, spouse, or former spouse, including an unsatisfied obligation to provide support. (f) “Foreign country” means a country, including a political subdivision of the country, other than the United States, that authorizes the issuance of support orders and: (1) which has been declared under the law of the United States to be a foreign reciprocating country; (2) which has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this State as provided in § 10–320 of this subtitle; (3) which has enacted a law or established procedures for the issuance and enforcement of support orders which are substantially similar to the procedures under this subtitle; and (4) in which the Convention is in force with respect to the United States. (g) “Foreign support order” means a support order of a foreign tribunal. (h) (1) “Foreign tribunal” means a court, administrative agency, or quasi–judicial entity of a foreign country which is authorized to establish, enforce, or modify support orders or to determine parentage of a child. (2) “Foreign tribunal” includes a competent authority under the Convention. (i) “Home state” means the state or foreign country in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as parent for at least 6 consecutive months immediately preceding the time of filing of a complaint or comparable pleading for support and, if a child is less than 6 months old, the state or foreign country in which the child lived from birth with any of them. A period of temporary absence of any of them is counted as part of the 6–month or other period. (j) “Income” includes earnings or other periodic entitlements to money from any source and any other property subject to withholding for support under the law of this State. (k) “Income withholding order” means an order or other legal process directed to an obligor’s employer under Subtitle 1 of this title to withhold support from the income of the obligor. (l) “Initiating tribunal” means the tribunal of a state or foreign country from which a complaint or comparable pleading is forwarded or in which a complaint or comparable pleading is filed for forwarding to another state or foreign country. (m) “Issuing foreign country” means the foreign country in which a tribunal issues a support order or a judgment determining parentage of a child. (n) “Issuing state” means the state in which a tribunal issues a support order or a judgment determining parentage of a child. (o) “Issuing tribunal” means the tribunal of a state or foreign country that issues a support order or a judgment determining parentage of a child. (p) “Law” includes decisional and statutory law and rules and regulations having the force of law. (q) “Obligee” means: (1) an individual to whom a duty of support is or is alleged to be owed or in whose favor a support order or a judgment determining parentage of a child has been issued; (2) a foreign country, state, or political subdivision of a state to which the rights under a duty of support or support order have been assigned or which has independent claims based on financial assistance provided to an individual obligee in place of child support; (3) an individual seeking a judgment determining parentage of the individual’s child; or (4) a person that is a creditor in a proceeding under Part VII of this subtitle. (r) “Obligor” means an individual or the estate of a decedent that: (1) owes or is alleged to owe a duty of support; (2) is alleged but has not been adjudicated to be a parent of a child; (3) is liable under a support order; or (4) is a debtor in a proceeding under Part VII of this subtitle. (s) “Outside this State” means a location in another state or a country other than the United States whether or not the country is a foreign country. (t) “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity. (u) “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. (v) “Register” means to record in a tribunal of this State a support order or judgment determining parentage of a child issued in another state or a foreign country. (w) “Registering tribunal” means a tribunal in which a support order or judgment determining parentage of a child is registered. (x) “Responding state” means a state in which a complaint or comparable pleading for support or to determine parentage of a child is filed or to which a complaint or comparable pleading is forwarded for filing from another state or a foreign country. (y) “Responding tribunal” means the authorized tribunal in a responding state or foreign country. (z) “Spousal support order” means a support order for a spouse or former spouse of the obligor. (aa) (1) “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 under the jurisdiction of the United States. (2) “State” includes an Indian nation or tribe. (bb) “Support enforcement agency” means a public official, governmental entity, or private agency authorized to: (1) seek enforcement of support orders or laws relating to the duty of support; (2) seek establishment or modification of child support; (3) request determination of parentage of a child; (4) attempt to locate obligors or their assets; or (5) request determination of the controlling child support order. (cc) (1) “Support order” means a judgment, decree, order, decision, or directive whether temporary, final, or subject to modification, issued in a state or foreign country for the benefit of a child, a spouse, or a former spouse, that provides for monetary support, health care, arrearages, retroactive support, or reimbursement for financial assistance provided to an individual obligee in place of child support. (2) “Support order” may include related costs and fees, interest, income withholding, automatic adjustment, reasonable attorney’s fees, and other relief. (dd) “Tribunal” means a court, administrative agency, or quasi–judicial entity authorized to establish, enforce, or modify support orders or to determine parentage of a child.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-302

(a) The circuit courts, and the Administration, in the context of an affidavit of support, are the tribunals of this State. (b) The Child Support Administration is the support enforcement agency of this State.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-303

(a) Remedies provided by this subtitle are cumulative and do not affect the availability of remedies under other law or the recognition of a foreign support order on the basis of comity. (b) This subtitle does not: (1) provide the exclusive method of establishing or enforcing a support order under the law of this State; or (2) grant a tribunal of this State jurisdiction to render judgment or issue an order relating to child custody or visitation in a proceeding under this subtitle.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-303.1

§10–303.1. (a) A tribunal of this State shall apply Parts I through VI of this subtitle and, as applicable, Part VII, to a support proceeding involving: (1) a foreign support order; (2) a foreign tribunal; or (3) an obligee, obligor, or child residing in a foreign country. (b) A tribunal of this State that is requested to recognize and enforce a support order on the basis of comity may apply the procedural and substantive provisions of Parts I through VI of this subtitle. (c) Part VII of this subtitle applies only to a support proceeding under the Convention. In such a proceeding, if a provision of Part VII is inconsistent with Parts I through VI, Part VII controls.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-304

(a) In a proceeding to establish or enforce a support order or to determine parentage of a child, a tribunal of this State may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident individual or the individual’s guardian or conservator if: (1) the individual is personally served within this State; (2) the individual submits to the jurisdiction of this State by consent in a record, by entering a general appearance, or by filing a responsive document having the effect of waiving any contest to personal jurisdiction; (3) the individual resided with the child in this State; (4) the individual resided in this State and provided prenatal expenses or support for the child; (5) the child resides in this State as a result of the acts or directives of the individual; (6) the individual engaged in sexual intercourse in this State and the child may have been conceived by that act of intercourse; or (7) there is any other basis consistent with the constitutions of this State and the United States for the exercise of personal jurisdiction. (b) The bases of personal jurisdiction set forth in subsection (a) of this section or in any other law of this State may not be used to acquire personal jurisdiction for a tribunal of this State to modify a child support order of another state unless the requirements of § 10–350 of this subtitle are met, or, in the case of a foreign support order, unless the requirements of § 10–353.1 of this subtitle are met.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-305

Personal jurisdiction acquired by a tribunal of this State in a proceeding under this subtitle or other law of this State relating to a support order continues as long as a tribunal of this State has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify its order or continuing jurisdiction to enforce its order as provided in §§ 10–308, 10–309, and 10–312.2 of this subtitle.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-306

Under this subtitle, a tribunal of this State may serve as an initiating tribunal to forward proceedings to a tribunal of another state, and as a responding tribunal for proceedings initiated in another state or foreign country.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-307

(a) A tribunal of this State may exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the complaint or comparable pleading is filed after a pleading is filed in another state or foreign country only if: (1) the complaint or comparable pleading in this State is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the other state or foreign country for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by the other state or foreign country; (2) the contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in the other state or foreign country; and (3) if relevant, this State is the home state of the child. (b) A tribunal of this State may not exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the complaint or comparable pleading is filed before a complaint or comparable pleading is filed in another state or foreign country if: (1) the complaint or comparable pleading in the other state or foreign country is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in this State for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by this State; (2) the contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in this State; and (3) if relevant, the other state or foreign country is the home state of the child.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-308

(a) A tribunal of this State that has issued a child support order consistent with the law of this State has and shall exercise continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify its child support order if the order is the controlling order and: (1) at the time of filing of a request for modification this State is the residence of the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit the support order is issued; or (2) even if this State is not the residence of the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit the support order is issued, the parties consent in a record or in open court that the tribunal of this State may continue to exercise jurisdiction to modify its order. (b) A tribunal of this State that has issued a child support order consistent with the law of this State may not exercise continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the order if: (1) all of the parties who are individuals file consent in a record with the tribunal of this State that a tribunal of another state that has jurisdiction over at least one of the parties who is an individual or that is located in the state of residence of the child may modify the order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction; or (2) its order is not the controlling order. (c) If a tribunal of another state has issued a child support order pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act or a law substantially similar to that act that modifies a child support order of a tribunal of this State, tribunals of this State shall recognize the continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of the tribunal of the other state. (d) A tribunal of this State that lacks continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify a child support order may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to modify a support order issued in that state. (e) A temporary support order issued ex parte or pending resolution of a jurisdictional conflict does not create continuing, exclusive jurisdiction in the issuing tribunal.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-309

(a) A tribunal of this State that has issued a child support order consistent with the law of this State may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce: (1) the order if the order is the controlling order and has not been modified by a tribunal of another state that assumed jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act; or (2) a money judgment for arrears of support and interest on the order accrued before a determination that an order of a tribunal of another state is the controlling order. (b) A tribunal of this State having continuing jurisdiction over a support order may act as a responding tribunal to enforce the order.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-310

(a) If a proceeding is brought under this subtitle and only one tribunal has issued a child support order, the order of that tribunal controls and must be recognized. (b) If a proceeding is brought under this subtitle, and two or more child support orders have been issued by tribunals of this State, another state, or a foreign country with regard to the same obligor and same child, a tribunal of this State having personal jurisdiction over both the obligor and individual obligee shall apply the following rules and by order shall determine which order controls and must be recognized: (1) if only one of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this subtitle, the order of that tribunal controls; (2) if more than one of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this subtitle: (i) an order issued by a tribunal in the current home state of the child controls; or (ii) if an order has not been issued in the current home state of the child, the order most recently issued controls; or (3) if none of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this subtitle, the tribunal of this State shall issue a child support order, which controls. (c) If two or more child support orders have been issued for the same obligor and same child, on request of a party who is an individual or that is a support enforcement agency, a tribunal of this State having personal jurisdiction over both the obligor and the obligee who is an individual shall determine which order controls under subsection (b) of this section. The request may be filed with a registration for enforcement or registration for modification pursuant to Part VI of this subtitle, or may be filed as a separate proceeding. (d) A request to determine which is the controlling order must be accompanied by a copy of every child support order in effect and the applicable record of payments. The requesting party shall give notice of the request to each party whose rights may be affected by the determination. (e) The tribunal that issued the controlling order under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section has continuing jurisdiction to the extent provided in § 10–308 or § 10–309 of this subtitle. (f) A tribunal of this State that determines by order the controlling child support order under subsection (b)(1) or (2) or (c) of this section or that issues a new controlling child support order under subsection (b)(3) of this section, shall include in that order: (1) the basis upon which the tribunal made its determination; (2) the amount of prospective support, if any; and (3) the total amount of consolidated arrears and accrued interest, if any, under all of the orders after all payments made are credited as provided by § 10–312 of this subtitle. (g) Within 30 days after issuance of the order determining the controlling order, the party obtaining that order shall file a certified copy of it in each tribunal that had issued or registered an earlier order of child support. Failure of the party or support enforcement agency obtaining the order to file a certified copy as required subjects that party or support enforcement agency to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in which the issue of failure to file arises, but that failure has no effect on the validity or enforceability of the controlling order. (h) An order that has been determined to be the controlling order, or a judgment for consolidated arrears of support and interest, if any, made pursuant to this section shall be recognized in proceedings under this subtitle.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-311

In responding to registrations or requests for enforcement of two or more child support orders in effect at the same time with regard to the same obligor and different individual obligees, at least one of which was issued by a tribunal of another state or a foreign country, a tribunal of this State shall enforce those orders in the same manner as if the orders had been issued by a tribunal of this State.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-312

A tribunal of this State shall credit amounts collected for a particular period pursuant to any child support order against the amounts owed for the same period under any other child support order for support of the same child issued by a tribunal of this State, another state, or a foreign country.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-312.1

§10–312.1. A tribunal of this State exercising personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a proceeding under this subtitle, under other law of this State relating to a support order, or recognizing a foreign support order may receive evidence from outside this State pursuant to § 10–328 of this subtitle, communicate with a tribunal outside this State pursuant to § 10–329 of this subtitle, and obtain discovery through a tribunal outside this State pursuant to § 10–330 of this subtitle. In all other respects, the provisions of Parts III through VI of this subtitle do not apply, and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this State.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-312.2

§10–312.2. (a) A tribunal of this State issuing a spousal support order consistent with the law of this State has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the spousal support order throughout the existence of the support obligation. (b) A tribunal of this State may not modify a spousal support order issued by a tribunal of another state or foreign country if the state or foreign country has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over the spousal support order under the law of that state or foreign country. (c) A tribunal of this State that has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order may serve as: (1) an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce the spousal support order issued in this State; or (2) a responding tribunal to enforce or modify its own spousal support order.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-313

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, Part III of this subtitle applies to all proceedings under this subtitle. (b) An individual or a support enforcement agency may initiate a proceeding authorized under this subtitle by filing a complaint in an initiating tribunal for forwarding to a responding tribunal or by filing a complaint or a comparable pleading directly in a tribunal of another state or foreign country which has or can obtain personal jurisdiction over the defendant.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-314

A minor parent, or a guardian or other legal representative of a minor parent, may maintain a proceeding on behalf of or for the benefit of the minor’s child.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-315

Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, a responding tribunal of this State shall: (1) apply the procedural and substantive law generally applicable to similar proceedings originating in this State and may exercise all powers and provide all remedies available in those proceedings; and (2) determine the duty of support and the amount payable in accordance with the law and support guidelines of this State.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-316

(a) Upon the filing of a complaint authorized by this subtitle, an initiating tribunal of this State shall forward the complaint and its accompanying documents: (1) to the responding tribunal or appropriate support enforcement agency in the responding state; or (2) if the identity of the responding tribunal is unknown, to the state information agency of the responding state with a request that they be forwarded to the appropriate tribunal and that receipt be acknowledged. (b) If requested by the responding tribunal, a tribunal of this State shall issue a certificate or other document and make findings required by the law of the responding state. If the responding tribunal is in a foreign country, on request, the tribunal of this State shall specify the amount of support sought, convert that amount into the equivalent amount in the foreign currency under applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported, and provide any other documents necessary to satisfy the requirements of the responding foreign tribunal.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-317

(a) When a responding tribunal of this State receives a complaint or comparable pleading from an initiating tribunal or directly pursuant to § 10–313(b) of this subtitle, it shall cause the complaint or pleading to be filed and notify the plaintiff where and when it was filed. (b) A responding tribunal of this State, to the extent not prohibited by other law, may do one or more of the following: (1) establish or enforce a support order, modify a child support order, determine the controlling child support order, or determine parentage of a child; (2) order an obligor to comply with a support order, specifying the amount and the manner of compliance; (3) order income withholding; (4) determine the amount of any arrearages and specify a method of payment; (5) enforce orders by civil or criminal contempt, or both; (6) set aside property for satisfaction of the support order; (7) place liens and order execution on the obligor’s property; (8) order an obligor to keep the tribunal informed of the obligor’s current residential address, electronic mail address, telephone number, employer, address of employment, and telephone number at the place of employment; (9) issue a bench warrant for an obligor who has failed after proper notice to appear at a hearing ordered by the tribunal and enter the bench warrant in any local and State computer systems for criminal warrants; (10) order the obligor to seek appropriate employment by specified methods; (11) award reasonable attorney’s fees and other fees and costs; and (12) grant any other available remedy. (c) A responding tribunal of this State shall include in a support order issued under this subtitle, or in the documents accompanying the order, the calculations on which the support order is based. (d) A responding tribunal of this State may not condition the payment of a support order issued under this subtitle upon compliance by a party with provisions for visitation. (e) If a responding tribunal of this State issues an order under this subtitle, the tribunal shall send a copy of the order to the plaintiff and the defendant and to the initiating tribunal, if any. (f) If requested to enforce a support order, arrears, or judgment or to modify a support order stated in a foreign currency, a responding tribunal of this State shall convert the amount stated in the foreign currency to the equivalent amount in dollars under the applicable official market exchange rate as publicly reported.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-318

If a complaint or comparable pleading is received by an inappropriate tribunal of this State, the tribunal shall forward the pleading and accompanying documents to an appropriate tribunal of this State or another state and notify the plaintiff where and when the pleading was sent.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-319

(a) In a proceeding under this subtitle, a support enforcement agency of this State, on request: (1) shall provide services to a plaintiff residing in a state; (2) shall provide services to a plaintiff requesting services through a central authority of a foreign country as described in § 10–301(f)(1) or (4) of this subtitle; and (3) may provide services to a plaintiff who is an individual not residing in a state. (b) A support enforcement agency of this State that is providing services to the plaintiff 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 defendant; (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 2 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 plaintiff; (5) within 2 days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of communication in a record from the defendant or the defendant’s attorney, send a copy of the communication to the plaintiff; and (6) notify the plaintiff if jurisdiction over the defendant 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 ensure that: (1) the order to be registered is the controlling order; or (2) if two or more child support orders exist and the identity of the controlling order has not been determined, a request for a determination of the controlling order 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 amount stated in the foreign currency into the equivalent amount in dollars under the applicable official 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 § 10–331 of this subtitle. (f) This subtitle does not create 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. The attorney representing the support enforcement agency shall advise the person being assisted by the agency that the attorney’s representation of the Administration does not create an attorney–client relationship between the attorney and that person.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-320

(a) If the Attorney General determines that the support enforcement agency is neglecting or refusing to provide services to an individual, the Attorney General may order the agency to perform its duties under this subtitle or may provide those services directly to the individual. (b) The Attorney General may determine that a foreign country has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this State and take appropriate action for notification of the determination.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-321

An individual may employ private counsel to represent the individual in proceedings authorized by this subtitle.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-322

(a) The Child Support Administration is the State information agency under this subtitle. (b) The State information agency shall: (1) compile and maintain a current list, including addresses, of the tribunals in this State which have jurisdiction under this subtitle, and any support enforcement agencies in this State and transmit a copy to the state information agency of every other state; (2) maintain a register of names and addresses of tribunals and support enforcement agencies received from other states; (3) forward to the appropriate tribunal in the county in this State in which the obligee who is an individual or the obligor resides, or in which the obligor’s property is believed to be located, all documents concerning a proceeding under this subtitle received from another state or foreign country; and (4) obtain information concerning the location of the obligor and the obligor’s property within this State not exempt from execution, by such means as postal verification and federal or state locator services, examination of telephone directories, requests for the obligor’s address from employers, and examination of governmental records, including, to the extent not prohibited by other law, those relating to real property, vital statistics, law enforcement, taxation, motor vehicles, driver’s licenses, and Social Security.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-323

(a) In a proceeding under this subtitle, a plaintiff seeking to establish a support order, to determine parentage of a child, or to register and modify a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country must file a complaint. Unless otherwise ordered under § 10–324 of this subtitle, the complaint or accompanying documents must provide, so far as known, the name, residential address, and Social Security numbers of the obligor and the obligee or the parent and alleged parent, and the name, sex, residential address, Social Security number, and date of birth of each child for whose benefit support is sought or whose parentage is to be determined. Unless filed at the time of registration, the complaint must be accompanied by a copy of any support order known to have been issued by another tribunal. The complaint may include any other information that may assist in locating or identifying the defendant. (b) The complaint must specify the relief sought. The complaint and accompanying documents must conform substantially with the requirements imposed by the forms mandated by federal law for use in cases filed by a support enforcement agency.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-324

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 specific identifying information, that information shall be sealed and may not be disclosed to the other party or the public. After a hearing in which a tribunal takes into consideration the health, safety, or liberty of the party or child, the tribunal may order disclosure of information that the tribunal determines to be in the interest of justice.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-325

(a) The plaintiff may not be required to pay a filing fee or other costs. (b) If an obligee prevails, a responding tribunal of this State may assess against an obligor filing fees, reasonable attorney’s fees, other costs, and necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by the obligee and the obligee’s witnesses. The tribunal may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against the obligee or the support enforcement agency of either the initiating or the responding state or foreign country, except as provided by other law. Attorney’s fees may be taxed as costs, and may be ordered paid directly to the attorney, who may enforce the order in the attorney’s own name. Payment of support owed to the obligee has priority over fees, costs, and expenses. (c) The tribunal shall order the payment of costs and reasonable attorney’s fees if it determines that a hearing was requested primarily for delay. In a proceeding under Part VI of this subtitle a hearing is presumed to have been requested primarily for delay if a registered support order is confirmed or enforced without change.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-326

(a) Participation by a plaintiff in a proceeding under this subtitle before a responding tribunal, whether in person, by private attorney, or through services provided by the support enforcement agency, does not confer personal jurisdiction over the plaintiff in another proceeding. (b) A plaintiff is not amenable to service of civil process while physically present in this State to participate in a proceeding under this subtitle. (c) The immunity granted by this section does not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to a proceeding under this subtitle committed by a party while present in this State to participate in the proceeding.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-327

A party whose parentage of a child has been previously determined by or pursuant to law may not plead nonparentage as a defense to a proceeding under this subtitle.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-328

(a) The physical presence of a nonresident party who is an individual in a tribunal of this State is not required for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of a support order or the rendition of a judgment determining parentage of a child. (b) An affidavit, a document substantially complying with federally mandated forms, or a document incorporated by reference in any of them, which would not be excluded under the hearsay rule if given in person, is admissible in evidence if given under penalty of perjury by a party or witness residing outside this State. (c) A copy of the record of child support payments certified as a true copy of the original by the custodian of the record may be forwarded to a responding tribunal. The copy is evidence of facts asserted in it, and is admissible to show whether payments were made. (d) Copies of bills for testing for parentage of a child, and for prenatal and postnatal health care of the mother and child, furnished to the adverse party at least 10 days before trial, are admissible in evidence to prove the amount of the charges billed and that the charges were reasonable, necessary, and customary. (e) Documentary evidence transmitted from outside this State to a tribunal of this State by telephone, telecopier, or other electronic means that do not provide an original record may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission. (f) In a proceeding under this subtitle, a tribunal of this State shall permit a party or witness residing outside this State to be deposed or to testify under penalty of perjury by telephone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means at a designated tribunal or other location. A tribunal of this State shall cooperate with other tribunals in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony. (g) If a party called to testify at a civil hearing refuses to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self–incriminating, the trier of fact may draw an adverse inference from the refusal. (h) Laws attaching a privilege against the disclosure of communications between spouses do not apply to proceedings under this subtitle. (i) The defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife or parent and child does not apply in a proceeding under this subtitle. (j) A voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, certified as a true copy, is admissible to establish parentage of the child.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-329

A tribunal of this State may communicate with a tribunal outside this State in a record, or by telephone, electronic mail, or other means, to obtain information concerning the laws, the legal effect of a judgment, decree, or order of that tribunal, and the status of a proceeding. A tribunal of this State may furnish similar information by similar means to a tribunal outside this State.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-330

A tribunal of this State may: (1) request a tribunal outside this State to assist in obtaining discovery; and (2) upon request, compel a person over which it has jurisdiction to respond to a discovery order issued by a tribunal outside this State.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-331

(a) A support enforcement agency or tribunal of this State shall disburse promptly any amounts received pursuant to a support order, as directed by the order. The agency or tribunal shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of another state or a foreign country a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amounts and dates of all payments received. (b) If the obligor, the obligee who is an individual, and the child do not reside in this State, on request from the support enforcement agency of this State or another state, the support enforcement agency of this State or a tribunal of this State shall: (1) direct that the support payment be made to the support enforcement agency in the state in which the obligee is receiving services; and (2) issue and send to the obligor’s employer a conforming income–withholding order or an administrative notice of change of payee, reflecting the redirected payments. (c) The support enforcement agency of this State receiving redirected payments from another state pursuant to a law similar to subsection (b) of this section shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of the other state a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amount and dates of all payments received.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-332

(a) If a support order entitled to recognition under this subtitle has not been issued, a responding tribunal of this State with personal jurisdiction over the parties may issue a support order if: (1) the individual seeking the order resides outside this State; or (2) the support enforcement agency seeking the order is located outside this State. (b) The tribunal may issue a temporary child support order if the tribunal determines that such an order is appropriate and the individual ordered to pay is: (1) a presumed father of the child; (2) petitioning to have his paternity adjudicated; (3) identified as the father of the child through genetic testing; (4) an alleged father who has declined to submit to genetic testing; (5) shown by clear and convincing evidence to be the father of the child; (6) an acknowledged father as provided by § 5–306(a)(6) of this article; (7) the mother of the child; or (8) an individual who has been ordered to pay child support in a previous proceeding and the order has not been reversed or vacated. (c) Upon finding, after notice and opportunity to be heard, that an obligor owes a duty of support, the tribunal shall issue a support order directed to the obligor and may issue other orders pursuant to § 10–317 of this subtitle.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-332.1

§10–332.1. A tribunal of this State authorized to determine parentage of a child may serve as a responding tribunal in a proceeding to determine parentage of a child brought under this subtitle or a law or procedure substantially similar to this subtitle.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-333

An income withholding order issued in another state may be sent by or on behalf of the obligee, or by the support enforcement agency, to the person defined as the obligor’s employer under Subtitle 1 of this title without first filing a request for service of the order or comparable pleading or registering the order with a tribunal of this State.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-334

(a) Upon receipt of an income withholding order, the obligor’s employer shall immediately provide a copy of the order to the obligor. (b) The employer shall treat an income withholding order issued in another state which appears regular on its face as if it had been issued by a tribunal of this State. (c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section and § 10–335 of this subtitle, the employer shall withhold and distribute the funds as directed in the withholding order by complying with terms of the order which specify: (1) the duration and the amount of periodic payments of current child support, stated as a sum certain; (2) the person designated to receive payment and the address to which the payments are to be forwarded; (3) medical support, whether in the form of periodic cash payment, stated as a sum certain, or ordering the obligor to provide health insurance coverage for the child under a policy available through the obligor’s employment; (4) the amount of periodic payments of fees and costs for a support enforcement agency, the issuing tribunal, and the obligee’s attorney, stated as sums certain; and (5) the amount of periodic payments of arrearages and interest on arrearages, stated as sums certain. (d) An employer shall comply with the law of the state of the obligor’s principal place of employment for withholding from income with respect to: (1) the employer’s fee for processing an income withholding order; (2) the maximum amount permitted to be withheld from the obligor’s income; and (3) the time periods within which the employer must implement the withholding order and forward the child support payment.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-335

If an obligor’s employer receives two or more income withholding orders with respect to the earnings of the same obligor, the employer satisfies the terms of the orders if the employer complies with the law of the state of the obligor’s principal place of employment to establish the priorities for withholding and allocating income withheld for two or more child support obligees.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-336

An employer that complies with an income withholding order issued in another state in accordance with this subtitle is not subject to civil liability to an individual or agency with regard to the employer’s withholding of child support from the obligor’s income.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-337

An employer that willfully fails to comply with an income withholding order issued in another state and received for enforcement is subject to the same penalties that may be imposed for noncompliance with an order issued by a tribunal of this State.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-338

(a) An obligor may contest the validity or enforcement of an income withholding order issued in another state and received directly by an employer in this State by registering the order in a tribunal of this State and filing a contest to that order as provided in Part VI of this subtitle, or otherwise contesting the order in the same manner as if the order had been issued by a tribunal of this State. (b) The obligor shall give notice of the contest to: (1) a support enforcement agency providing services to the obligee; (2) each employer that has directly received an income withholding order relating to the obligor; and (3) the person designated to receive payments in the income withholding order or, if no person is designated, to the obligee.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-339

(a) A party or support enforcement agency seeking to enforce a support order or an income withholding order, or both, issued in another state or a foreign support order may send the documents required for registering the order to a support enforcement agency of this State. (b) Upon receipt of the documents, the support enforcement agency, without initially seeking to register the order, shall consider and, if appropriate, use any administrative procedure authorized by the law of this State to enforce a support order or an income withholding order, or both. If the obligor does not contest administrative enforcement, the order need not be registered. If the obligor contests the validity or administrative enforcement of the order, the support enforcement agency shall register the order pursuant to this subtitle.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-340

A support order or income withholding order issued in another state or a foreign support order may be registered in this State for enforcement.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-341

(a) Except as otherwise provided in § 10–359 of this subtitle, a support order or income withholding order of another state or a foreign support order may be registered in this State by sending the following records to the appropriate tribunal in this State: (1) a letter of transmittal to the tribunal requesting registration and enforcement; (2) two copies, including one certified copy, of the order to be registered, including any modification of the order; (3) a sworn statement by the person requesting registration or a certified statement by the custodian of the records showing the amount of any arrearage; (4) the name of the obligor and, if known: (i) the obligor’s address and Social Security number; (ii) the name and address of the obligor’s employer and any other source of income of the obligor; and (iii) a description and the location of property of the obligor in this State not exempt from execution; and (5) except as provided in § 10–324 of this subtitle, the name and address of the obligee and, if applicable, the person to whom support payments are to be remitted. (b) On receipt of a request for registration, the registering tribunal shall cause the order to be filed as an order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign support order, together with one copy of the documents and information, regardless of their form. (c) A complaint or comparable pleading seeking a remedy that must be affirmatively sought under other law of this State may be filed at the same time as the request for registration or later. The pleading must specify the grounds for the remedy sought. (d) If two or more orders are in effect, the person requesting registration shall: (1) furnish to the tribunal a copy of every support order asserted to be in effect in addition to the documents specified in this section; (2) specify the order alleged to be the controlling order, if any; and (3) specify the amount of consolidated arrears, if any. (e) A request for a determination of which is the controlling order may be filed separately or with a request for registration and enforcement or for registration and modification. The person requesting registration shall give notice of the request to each party whose rights may be affected by the determination.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-342

(a) A support order or income withholding order issued in another state or a foreign support order is registered when the order is filed in the registering tribunal of this State. (b) A registered support order issued in another state or a foreign country is enforceable in the same manner and is subject to the same procedures as an order issued by a tribunal of this State. (c) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, a tribunal of this State shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, a registered support order if the issuing tribunal had jurisdiction.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-343

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section, the law of the issuing state or foreign country governs: (1) the nature, extent, amount, and duration of current payments under a registered support order; (2) the computation and payment of arrearages and accrual of interest on the arrearages under the support order; and (3) the existence and satisfaction of other obligations under the support order. (b) In a proceeding for arrears under a registered support order, the statute of limitation of this State or of the issuing state or foreign country, whichever is longer, applies. (c) A responding tribunal of this State shall apply the procedures and remedies of this State to enforce current support and collect arrears and interest due on a support order of another state or a foreign country registered in this State. (d) After a tribunal of this State or another state determines which is the controlling order and issues an order consolidating arrears, if any, a tribunal of this State shall prospectively apply the law of the state or foreign country issuing the controlling order, including its law on interest on arrears, on current and future support, and on consolidated arrears.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-344

(a) When a support order or income withholding order issued in another state or a foreign support order is registered, the registering tribunal of this State shall notify the nonregistering party. Notice must be given by first–class, certified, or registered mail or by any means of personal service authorized by the law of this State. The notice must be accompanied by a copy of the registered order and the documents and relevant information accompanying the order. (b) A notice must inform the nonregistering party: (1) that a registered order is enforceable as of the date of registration in the same manner as an order issued by a tribunal of this State; (2) that a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order must be requested within 20 days after the date of mailing or personal service of the notice unless the registered order is under § 10–360 of this subtitle; (3) that failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order in a timely manner will result in confirmation of the order and enforcement of the order and the alleged arrearages and precludes further contest of that order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted; and (4) of the amount of any alleged arrearages. (c) If the registering party asserts that two or more orders are in effect, a notice must also: (1) identify the two or more orders and the order alleged by the registering party to be the controlling order and the consolidated arrears, if any; (2) notify the nonregistering party of the right to a determination of which is the controlling order; (3) state that the procedures provided in subsection (b) of this section apply to the determination of which is the controlling order; and (4) state that failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the order alleged to be the controlling order in a timely manner may result in confirmation that the order is the controlling order. (d) Upon registration of an income withholding order for enforcement, the support enforcement agency or the registering tribunal shall notify the obligor’s employer pursuant to Subtitle 1 of this title.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-345

(a) A nonregistering party seeking to contest the validity or enforcement of a registered order in this State shall request a hearing within the time required by § 10–344 of this subtitle. The nonregistering party may seek to vacate the registration, to assert any defense to an allegation of noncompliance with the registered order, or to contest the remedies being sought or the amount of any alleged arrearages pursuant to § 10–346 of this subtitle. (b) If the nonregistering party fails to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered support order in a timely manner, the order is confirmed by operation of law. (c) If a nonregistering party requests a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order, the registering tribunal shall schedule the matter for hearing and give notice to the parties of the date, time, and place of the hearing.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-346

(a) A party contesting the validity or enforcement of a registered support order or seeking to vacate the registration has the burden of proving one or more of the following defenses: (1) the issuing tribunal lacked personal jurisdiction over the contesting party; (2) the order was obtained by fraud; (3) the order has been vacated, suspended, or modified by a later order; (4) the issuing tribunal has stayed the order pending appeal; (5) there is a defense under the law of this State to the remedy sought; (6) full or partial payment has been made; (7) the statute of limitation under § 10–343 of this subtitle precludes enforcement of some or all of the alleged arrearages; or (8) the alleged controlling order is not the controlling order. (b) If a party presents evidence establishing a full or partial defense under subsection (a) of this section, a tribunal may stay enforcement of a registered support order, continue the proceeding to permit production of additional relevant evidence, and issue other appropriate orders. An uncontested portion of the registered support order may be enforced by all remedies available under the law of this State. (c) If the contesting party does not establish a defense under subsection (a) of this section to the validity or enforcement of a registered support order, the registering tribunal shall issue an order confirming the order.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-347

Confirmation of a registered support 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.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-348

A party or support enforcement agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a child support order issued in another state shall register that order in this State in the same manner provided in §§ 10–340 through 10–347 of this subtitle if the order has not been registered. A complaint for modification may be filed at the same time as a request for registration, or later. The pleading must specify the grounds for modification.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-349

A tribunal of this State may enforce a child support order of another state registered for purposes of modification, in the same manner as if the order had been issued by a tribunal of this State, but the registered support order may be modified only if the requirements of § 10–350 or § 10–352 of this subtitle have been met.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-350

(a) If § 10–352 of this subtitle does not apply, on the filing of a complaint, a tribunal of this State may modify a child support order issued in another state that is registered in this State if, after notice and hearing, the tribunal finds that: (1) the following requirements are met: (i) neither the child, nor the obligee who is an individual, nor the obligor resides in the issuing state; (ii) a plaintiff who is a nonresident of this State seeks modification; and (iii) the defendant is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this State; or (2) this State is the state of residence of the child or a party who is an individual is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this State and all of the parties who are individuals have filed consents in a record in the issuing tribunal for a tribunal of this State to modify the support order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction. (b) Modification of a registered child support order is subject to the same requirements, procedures, and defenses that apply to the modification of an order issued by a tribunal of this State, and the order may be enforced and satisfied in the same manner. (c) A tribunal of this State may not modify any provision of a child support order that may not be modified under the law of the issuing state, including the duration of the obligation of support. If two or more tribunals have issued child support orders for the same obligor and same child, the order that controls and must be so recognized under the provisions of § 10–310 of this subtitle establishes the provisions of the support order which are nonmodifiable. (d) In a proceeding to modify a child support order, the law of the state that is determined to have issued the initial controlling order governs the duration of the obligation of support. The obligor’s fulfillment of the duty of support established by that order precludes imposition of a further obligation of support by a tribunal of this State. (e) On issuance of an order by a tribunal of this State modifying a child support order issued in another state, the tribunal of this State becomes the tribunal of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction. (f) Notwithstanding subsection (a) through (e) of this section and § 10–304(b) of this subtitle, a tribunal of this State retains jurisdiction to modify an order issued by a tribunal of this State if: (1) one party resides in another state; and (2) the other party resides outside the United States.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-351

If a child support order issued by a tribunal of this State is modified by a tribunal of another state which assumed jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, a tribunal of this State: (1) may enforce its order that was modified only as to arrears and interest accruing before the modification; (2) may provide appropriate relief for violations of its order which occurred before the effective date of the modification; and (3) shall recognize the modifying order of the other state, upon registration, for the purpose of enforcement.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-352

(a) If all of the parties who are individuals reside in this State and the child does not reside in the issuing state, a tribunal of this State has jurisdiction to enforce and to modify the issuing state’s child support order in a proceeding to register that order. (b) A tribunal of this State exercising jurisdiction under this section shall apply the provisions of Parts I and II of this subtitle, this part, and the procedural and substantive law of this State to the proceeding for enforcement or modification. Parts III, IV, V, VII, and VIII of this subtitle do not apply.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-353

Within 30 days after issuance of a modified child support order, the party obtaining the modification shall file a certified copy of the order with the issuing tribunal that had continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over the earlier order, and in each tribunal in which the party knows the earlier order has been registered. A party who obtains the order and fails to file a certified copy is subject to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in which the issue of failure to file arises, but the failure to file does not affect the validity or enforceability of the modified order of the new tribunal having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-353.1

§10–353.1. (a) Except as provided in § 10–364 of this subtitle, if a foreign country lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to modify its child support order pursuant to its laws, a tribunal of this State may assume jurisdiction to modify the child support order and bind all individuals subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal whether the consent to modification of a child support order otherwise required of the individual in accordance with § 10–350 of this subtitle has been given or whether the individual seeking modification is a resident of this State or of the foreign country. (b) An order issued by a tribunal of this State modifying a foreign child support order pursuant to this section is the controlling order.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-353.2

§10–353.2. (a) A party or support enforcement agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a foreign child support order not under the Convention may register that order in this State under §§ 10–340 through 10–347 of this subtitle if the order has not been registered. A complaint for modification may be filed at the same time as a request for registration, or at another time. (b) The complaint shall specify the grounds for modification.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-354

(a) In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Application” means a request under the Convention by an obligee or obligor, or on behalf of a child, made through a central authority for assistance from another central authority. (c) “Central authority” means the entity designated by the United States or a foreign country described in § 10–301(f)(4) of this subtitle to perform the functions specified in the Convention. (d) “Convention support order” means a support order of a tribunal of a foreign country described in § 10–301(f)(4) of this subtitle. (e) “Direct request” means a complaint filed by an individual in a tribunal of this State in a proceeding involving an obligee, obligor, or child residing outside the United States. (f) “Foreign central authority” means the entity designated by a foreign country described in § 10–301(f)(4) of this subtitle to perform the functions specified in the Convention. (g) “Foreign support agreement”: (1) means an agreement for support in a record that: (i) is enforceable as a support order in the country of origin; (ii) has been: 1. formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument by a foreign tribunal; or 2. authenticated by, or concluded, registered, or filed with a foreign tribunal; and (iii) may be reviewed and modified by a foreign tribunal; and (2) includes a maintenance arrangement or authentic instrument under the Convention. (h) “United States central authority” means the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-355

(a) This part applies only to a support proceeding under the Convention. (b) In a support proceeding under the Convention, if a provision of this part is inconsistent with Parts I through VI of this subtitle, this part controls.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-356

The Child Support Administration of this State is recognized as the agency designated by the United States central authority to perform specific functions under the Convention.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-357

(a) In a support proceeding under this part, the Child Support Administration of this State shall: (1) transmit and receive applications; and (2) initiate or facilitate the institution of a proceeding regarding an application in a tribunal of this State. (b) The following support proceedings are available to an obligee under the Convention: (1) recognition or recognition and enforcement of a foreign support order; (2) enforcement of a support order issued or recognized in this State; (3) establishment of a support order if there is no existing order, including, if necessary, determination of parentage of a child; (4) establishment of a support order if recognition of a foreign support order is refused under § 10–361(b)(2), (4), or (9) of this subtitle; (5) modification of a support order of a tribunal of this State; and (6) modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country. (c) The following support proceedings are available under the Convention to an obligor against which there is an existing support order: (1) recognition of an order suspending or limiting enforcement of an existing support order of a tribunal of this State; (2) modification of a support order of a tribunal of this State; and (3) modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country. (d) A tribunal of this State may not require security, bond, or deposit, however described, to guarantee the payment of costs and expenses in proceedings under the Convention.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-358

(a) A plaintiff may file a direct request seeking establishment or modification of a support order or determination of parentage of a child. In the proceeding, the law of this State applies. (b) A plaintiff may file a direct request seeking recognition and enforcement of a support order or support agreement. In the proceeding, §§ 10–359 through 10–366 of this subtitle apply. (c) In a direct request for recognition and enforcement of a Convention support order or foreign support agreement: (1) a security, bond, or deposit is not required to guarantee the payment of costs and expenses; and (2) an obligee or obligor that in the issuing country has benefited from free legal assistance is entitled to benefit, at least to the same extent, from any free legal assistance provided for by the law of this State under the same circumstances. (d) A plaintiff filing a direct request is not entitled to assistance from the Administration. (e) This part does not prevent the application of laws of this State that provide simplified, more expeditious rules regarding a direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support order or foreign support agreement.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-359

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this part, a party who is an individual or a support enforcement agency seeking recognition of a Convention support order shall register the order in this State as provided in Part VI of this subtitle. (b) Notwithstanding §§ 10–323 and 10–341(a) of this subtitle, a request for registration of a Convention support order shall be accompanied by: (1) the complete text of the support order; (2) a record stating that the support order is enforceable in the issuing country; (3) if the respondent did not appear and was not represented in the proceedings in the issuing country, a record attesting, as appropriate, either that the respondent had proper notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard or that the respondent had proper notice of the support order and an opportunity to be heard in a challenge or appeal on fact or law before a tribunal; (4) a record showing the amount of arrears, if any, and the date the amount was calculated; (5) a record showing a requirement for automatic adjustment of the amount of support, if any, and the information necessary to make the appropriate calculations; and (6) if necessary, a record showing the extent to which the applicant received free legal assistance in the issuing country. (c) A request for registration of a Convention support order may seek recognition and partial enforcement of the order. (d) A tribunal of this State may vacate the registration of a Convention support order without the filing of a contest under § 10–360 of this subtitle only if, acting on its own motion, the tribunal finds that recognition and enforcement of the order would be manifestly incompatible with public policy. (e) The tribunal shall promptly notify the parties of the registration or the order vacating the registration of a Convention support order.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-360

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this part, §§ 10–344 through 10–347 of this subtitle apply to a contest of a registered Convention support order. (b) A party contesting a registered Convention support order shall file a contest not later than 30 days after notice of the registration, except that if the contesting party does not reside in the United States, the contest must be filed not later than 60 days after notice of the registration. (c) If the nonregistering party fails to contest the registered Convention support order by the time specified in subsection (b) of this section, the order is enforceable. (d) (1) A contest of a registered Convention support order may be based only on grounds set forth in § 10–361 of this subtitle. (2) The contesting party bears the burden of proof. (e) In a contest of a registered Convention support order, a tribunal of this State: (1) is bound by the findings of fact on which the foreign tribunal based its jurisdiction; and (2) may not review the merits of the order. (f) A tribunal of this State deciding a contest of a registered Convention support order shall promptly notify the parties of its decision. (g) A challenge or appeal, if any, does not stay the enforcement of a Convention support order unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-361

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, a tribunal of this State shall recognize and enforce a registered Convention support order. (b) The following grounds are the only grounds on which a tribunal of this State may refuse recognition and enforcement of a registered Convention support order: (1) recognition and enforcement of the order is manifestly incompatible with public policy, including the failure of the issuing tribunal to observe minimum standards of due process, which include notice and an opportunity to be heard; (2) the issuing tribunal lacked personal jurisdiction consistent with § 10–304 of this subtitle; (3) the order is not enforceable in the issuing country; (4) the order was obtained by fraud in connection with a matter of procedure; (5) a record transmitted in accordance with § 10–359 of this subtitle lacks authenticity or integrity; (6) a proceeding between the same parties and having the same purpose is pending before a tribunal of this State and that proceeding was the first to be filed; (7) the order is incompatible with a more recent support order involving the same parties and having the same purpose if the more recent support order is entitled to recognition and enforcement under this subtitle in this State; (8) payment, to the extent alleged arrears have been paid in whole or in part; (9) in a case in which the respondent neither appeared nor was represented in the proceeding in the issuing foreign country: (i) if the law of that country provides for prior notice of proceedings, the respondent did not have proper notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard; or (ii) if the law of that country does not provide for prior notice of the proceedings, the respondent did not have proper notice of the order and an opportunity to be heard in a challenge or appeal on fact or law before a tribunal; or (10) the order was made in violation of § 10–364 of this subtitle. (c) If a tribunal of this State does not recognize a Convention support order under subsection (b)(2), (4), or (9) of this section: (1) the tribunal may not dismiss the proceeding without allowing a reasonable time for a party to request the establishment of a new Convention support order; and (2) the Administration shall take all appropriate measures to request a child support order for the obligee if the application for recognition and enforcement was received under § 10–357 of this subtitle.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-362

(a) If a tribunal of this State does not recognize and enforce a Convention support order in its entirety, it shall enforce any severable part of the order. (b) An application or direct request may seek recognition and partial enforcement of a Convention support order.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-363

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, a tribunal of this State shall recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement registered in this State. (b) An application or direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be accompanied by: (1) a complete text of the foreign support agreement; and (2) a record stating that the foreign support agreement is enforceable as an order of support in the issuing country. (c) A tribunal of this State may vacate the registration of a foreign support agreement only if, acting on its own motion, the tribunal finds that recognition and enforcement would be manifestly incompatible with public policy. (d) In a contest of a foreign support agreement, a tribunal of this State may refuse recognition and enforcement of the agreement if it finds: (1) recognition and enforcement of the agreement is manifestly incompatible with public policy; (2) the agreement was obtained by fraud or falsification; (3) the agreement is incompatible with a support order involving the same parties and having the same purpose in this State, another state, or a foreign country if the support order is entitled to recognition and enforcement under this subtitle in this State; or (4) the record submitted under subsection (b) of this section lacks authenticity or integrity. (e) A proceeding for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement shall be suspended during the pendency of a challenge to or appeal of the agreement before a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-364

(a) A tribunal of this State may not modify a Convention child support order if the obligee remains a resident of the foreign country where the support order was issued unless: (1) the obligee submits to the jurisdiction of a tribunal of this State, either expressly or by defending on the merits of the case without objecting to the jurisdiction at the first available opportunity; or (2) the foreign tribunal lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to modify its support order or issue a new support order. (b) If a tribunal of this State does not modify a Convention child support order because the order is not recognized in this State, § 10–361(c) of this subtitle applies.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-365

Personal information gathered or transmitted under this part may be used only for the purposes for which it was gathered or transmitted.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-366

A record filed with a tribunal of this State under this part must be in the original language and, if not in English, must be accompanied by an English translation.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-367

(a) For purposes of this Part VIII, “governor” includes an individual performing the functions of governor or the executive authority of a state covered by this subtitle. (b) The Governor of this State may: (1) demand that the governor of another state surrender an individual found in the other state who is charged criminally in this State with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee; or (2) on the demand by the governor of another state, surrender an individual found in this State who is charged criminally in the other state with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee. (c) A provision for extradition of individuals not inconsistent with this subtitle applies to the demand even if the individual whose surrender is demanded was not in the demanding state when the crime was allegedly committed and has not fled therefrom.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-368

(a) Before making a demand that the governor of another state surrender an individual charged criminally in this State with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee, the Governor of this State may require a prosecutor of this State to demonstrate that at least 60 days previously the obligee had initiated proceedings for support pursuant to this subtitle or that the proceeding would be of no avail. (b) If, under this subtitle or a law substantially similar to this subtitle, the governor of another state makes a demand that the Governor of this State surrender an individual charged criminally in that state with having failed to provide for the support of a child or other individual to whom a duty of support is owed, the Governor may require a prosecutor to investigate the demand and report whether a proceeding for support has been initiated or would be effective. If it appears that a proceeding would be effective but has not been initiated, the Governor may delay honoring the demand for a reasonable time to permit the initiation of a proceeding. (c) If a proceeding for support has been initiated and the individual whose rendition is demanded prevails, the Governor may decline to honor the demand. If the plaintiff prevails and the individual whose rendition is demanded is subject to a support order, the Governor may decline to honor the demand if the individual is complying with the support order.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-369

In applying and construing this subtitle, consideration shall be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-370

If any provision of this subtitle or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this subtitle which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this subtitle are severable.

Md. Code, Family Law § 10-371

This subtitle may be cited as the Maryland Uniform Interstate Family Support Act.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatutesFetched: 10/16/2026