19-A M.R.S. § 1554 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 53 / Section 1554
19-A §1554. Limitation on recovery from father
Status: in_force

The father's liabilities for past education and support are limited to the 6-year period preceding the commencement of an action. [PL 1997, c. 537, §17 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

A complainant may commence an action at any time prior to the child's 18th birthday. Notwithstanding the effective date of this paragraph, an action may be commenced for the benefit of a child whose paternity has not been established or to establish paternity of a child for whom an action had been commenced but dismissed because a statute of limitations of less than 18 years was then in effect. [PL 1997, c. 537, §17 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2305 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2305
19-A §2305. Effect and implementation of health insurance obligations; failure of responsible parent to comply
Status: in_force

1. Responsible parent's failure to comply. If a responsible parent fails to obtain health insurance coverage as required by an administrative decision, that parent is liable for any expenses incurred, for each dependent child, that would have been paid by the insurance coverage, regardless of incurred expenses. Incurred liability may be enforced as a child support debt under this article or by judicial action. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Insurer's obligation under authorization. Upon receipt of a written authorization by a responsible parent to make health insurance payments to the department for each dependent child of that parent, whether or not public assistance is being expended for the benefit of each child, an insurer shall make all payments directly to the department until the authorization is withdrawn. Upon receipt of authorization from the responsible parent, the department is subrogated to the rights of the responsible parent under the insurance policy for each child. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Insurer's obligation under order or decision and notice. Upon receipt of a copy of a court order or administrative decision establishing the obligation of a responsible parent to provide health insurance coverage for each dependent child of that parent, and receipt of a copy of a notice from the department that public assistance is being expended for the benefit of each dependent child of the responsible parent or that the department is furnishing support enforcement services to a person with whom each child resides other than the responsible parent, an insurer shall make all health insurance payments for each child directly to the department until otherwise notified by the department. In all such cases, the responsibility of the department is subrogated to the rights of the responsible parent under the insurance policy for each child. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

4. Insurers to provide information. Upon request by the department, a nonprofit hospital or medical service organization authorized under Title 24 or an insurer authorized under Title 24 -A shall provide to the department a list of persons who have health insurance coverage with that organization or insurer. The information must be transmitted in a manner prescribed by the department to allow electronic identification of responsible parents who have health insurance coverage. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2655 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2655
19-A §2655. Payor notice
Status: in_force

The department shall make available to the court and the public a payor notice, which also constitutes an income withholding order, that conforms to standard formats prescribed by the federal Secretary of Health and Human Services and complies with the requirements of the Social Security Act, Title IV-D and the regulations issued under that Act. [PL 2011, c. 528, §4 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2802-A — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 2802-A
19-A §2802-A. State tribunal and support enforcement agency
Status: in_force

1. State tribunals. The District Court and the Department of Health and Human Services are tribunals of this State. [PL 2009, c. 95, §22 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

2. State support enforcement agency. The Department of Health and Human Services is the support enforcement agency of this State. [PL 2009, c. 95, §22 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2966 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 2966
19-A §2966. Continuing jurisdiction to enforce child support order
Status: in_force

1. Initiating tribunal to enforce. A tribunal of this State that has issued a child support order consistent with the laws of this State may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce: A. 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 [PL 2003, c. 436, §10 (NEW).] B. 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. [PL 2009, c. 95, §28 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 436, §10 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §28 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

2. Responding tribunal to enforce. A tribunal of this State having continuing jurisdiction over a support order may act as a responding tribunal to enforce the order. [PL 2003, c. 436, §10 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1557 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 53 / Section 1557
19-A §1557. Time of trial
Status: in_force

If the issue of paternity is raised in an action commenced during the pregnancy of the mother, the trial may not, without the consent of the alleged father, be held until after the birth or miscarriage. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2606 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2606
19-A §2606. Discovery of past income in department support enforcement cases
Status: in_force

The responsible parent has an obligation to supply evidence regarding past income in order to calculate the debt owed the department or an applicant for services under section 2103 if the evidence is reasonably available. A request for evidence regarding past income may be made through a document request pursuant to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 34. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

Failure to provide the evidence in the time period set forth in the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 34, absent a showing of good cause for failure to do so or notification to the department of good faith attempts to secure the information, allows the court to draw any reasonable inference from the evidence available, including an inference that the responsible parent had a greater earning capacity than the average weekly wage of a worker in this State as defined by the most recent Department of Labor statistics. This remedy is in addition to remedies available under rules of discovery. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3503 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 69 / Section 3503
19-A §3503. Modification of order
Status: in_force

The court retains jurisdiction to modify or vacate the order of support when justice requires. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1841 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1841
19-A §1841. Admission of parentage authorized
Status: in_force

1. Admission of parentage. A respondent in a proceeding to adjudicate parentage may admit to the parentage of a child by filing a pleading to that effect or by admitting parentage under penalty of perjury when making an appearance or during a hearing. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

2. Order adjudicating parentage. If the court finds that an admission of parentage satisfies the requirements of this section and finds that there is no reason to question the admission, and no other party contests it, the court may issue an order adjudicating the child to be the child of the person admitting parentage. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2254 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2254
19-A §2254. Service
Status: in_force

Service of a notice, order or lien described in this article must be made in the manner provided for service of summons by the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4. For purposes of this section, this service must be deemed to be an action pursuant to Chapter XIII of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. Personal service within the State of a notice, order or lien described in this article may be made by an authorized representative of the commissioner. [PL 2009, c. 290, §27 (AMD).]

1. Date of service. [PL 2009, c. 290, §27 (RP).]

2. Branch banks. [PL 2009, c. 290, §27 (RP).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3006 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3006
19-A §3006. Inappropriate tribunal
Status: in_force

If a petition or comparable pleading is received by an inappropriate tribunal of this State, the inappropriate tribunal shall forward the petition or pleading and accompanying documents to an appropriate tribunal or to the state information agency in this State or another state and notify the petitioner where and when the pleading was sent. [PL 1997, c. 669, §16 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 603 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 21 / Section 603
19-A §603. Formalities
Status: in_force

A premarital agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. It is enforceable without consideration. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2105 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2105
19-A §2105. Duty of department to recognize and enforce actions of other states
Status: in_force

The department shall recognize and enforce the authority of agencies of other states that are responsible for administering the Social Security Act, 42 United States Code, Chapter 7, Subchapter IV (1996) to take actions under Section 325(a)(2) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, Public Law 104-193, 110 Stat. 2105. The department shall enforce the actions of other states as necessary by filing a civil action in the District Court. [PL 1997, c. 537, §29 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] Revisor's Note: §2105. State child support enforcement services (As enacted by PL 1997, c. 466, §8 and affected by §28 is REALLOCATED TO TITLE 19-A, SECTION 2108)
19-A M.R.S. § 2370 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2370
19-A §2370. Employer; payor compensation
Status: in_force

The commissioner may by rule establish a processing fee that an employer or individual possessing property belonging to the responsible parent may charge for implementation of an order to withhold and deliver, assignment of earnings or expedited wage withholding. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 605 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 21 / Section 605
19-A §605. Effect of marriage
Status: in_force

A premarital agreement becomes effective upon the marriage of the parties. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3150 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3150
19-A §3150. Registration of order for enforcement
Status: in_force

A support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or a foreign country may be registered in this State for enforcement. [PL 2009, c. 95, §60 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2402 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2402
19-A §2402. Dedicated funds
Status: in_force

Except as provided in section 2103, subsections 3 and 3‑A , all collections, fees and incentive payments received by the department from child support collections must be dedicated to reduce the State's General Fund share of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and to cover the costs of making such collections. The department may not expend more than $5,500,000 in any fiscal year of incentive payment revenue for the purpose of covering the costs of making child support collections. [PL 2013, c. 595, Pt. P, §1 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1908 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1908
19-A §1908. Deceased person
Status: in_force

For good cause shown, the court may order genetic testing of a deceased person. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2253 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2253
19-A §2253. Persons subject to jurisdiction
Status: in_force

1. Declaration of purpose. It is declared, as a matter of legislative determination, that the public interest demands that the State provide its citizens with an effective means of redress against nonresident persons who, through certain significant minimal contacts with this State, incur obligations to citizens entitled to the State's protection. This section, to ensure maximum protection to citizens of this State, must be applied so as to assert jurisdiction over nonresident responsible parents to the fullest extent permitted by the due process clause of the United States Constitution, Amendment XIV. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Causes of action. A person who does any of the acts enumerated in this subsection is deemed to have submitted to the jurisdiction of the department for the purpose of enforcing this article as to a cause of action arising from the doing of the following acts: A. Maintaining a domicile in this State while subject to a marital or family relationship out of which arises a claim for child support or spousal support or the commission in this State of any act giving rise to such a claim; or [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. Conception resulting in parentage within the meaning of chapter 61 . [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. C, §22 (AMD); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. C, §22 (AMD); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

3. Personal service. [PL 2009, c. 290, §26 (RP).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1845 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1845
19-A §1845. Full faith and credit
Status: in_force

A court of this State shall give full faith and credit to a determination of parentage, including but not limited to an acknowledgment of paternity, from another state if the determination is valid and effective in accordance with the law of the other state. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2156 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2156
19-A §2156. Annual statement
Status: in_force

The department shall send an annual statement of arrearages to all obligors who owe past-due child support that the department is authorized to collect. The statement must include notice to the obligor that the department may collect the amount owed by issuing an order to seize and sell property. The statement may include other notices that the department considers appropriate. The department shall send the statement to the obligor by regular mail to the obligor's last known address. If the obligor disagrees with the department's statement of arrearages, the obligor must immediately notify the department. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1772 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1772
19-A §1772. Costs, fees and expenses
Status: in_force

1. Award to prevailing party; exception. The court shall award the prevailing party, including a state, necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by or on behalf of the party, including costs, communication expenses, attorney's fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses and child care during the course of the proceedings, unless the court finds that special circumstances make the award of these expenses unjust. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Award against a state. The court may not assess fees, costs or expenses against a state unless authorized by law other than this chapter. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1608 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 53 / Section 1608
19-A §1608. Multiple alleged fathers
Status: in_force

When it appears to the department that there may be more than one alleged father, the department may maintain proceedings against each alleged father, simultaneously or successively. Failure to serve a notice on an alleged father does not bar the department from maintaining a proceeding under this chapter against any other alleged father. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

When the department initiates proceedings against one alleged father when there may be more than one alleged father, the department may require the parties to submit to blood or tissue-typing tests prior to accepting an acknowledgment of paternity from the alleged father. If the alleged father refuses to participate in testing, the department may file the action in court. [PL 2001, c. 554, §5 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1867 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1867
19-A §1867. Proceeding for rescission
Status: in_force

A signatory may rescind an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage under this subchapter by commencing a court proceeding subject to section 1869, subsection 4 . [PL 2021, c. 141, §12 (AMD).]

1. Timing. The court proceeding to rescind an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage must be commenced before the earlier of: A. Sixty days after the effective date of the acknowledgment or denial, as provided in section 1864 ; and [PL 2021, c. 141, §12 (NEW).] B. The date of the first hearing, in a court proceeding to which the signatory is a party, to adjudicate an issue relating to the child, including a proceeding seeking child support. [PL 2021, c. 141, §12 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 141, §12 (AMD).]

2. Date of first hearing. [PL 2021, c. 141, §12 (RP).]

3. Notice. If an acknowledgment of parentage is rescinded under this section, any associated denial of parentage becomes invalid, and the Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics shall notify the woman who gave birth to the child and any person who signed a denial of parentage of the child that the acknowledgment of parentage has been rescinded. Failure to give notice required by this section does not affect the validity of the rescission. [PL 2021, c. 141, §12 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3501 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 69 / Section 3501
19-A §3501. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

1. Child. "Child" means a son or daughter under 21 years of age or a son or daughter who is incapable of earning a living and without sufficient means. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Parent. "Parent" includes either a biological parent or an adoptive parent. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1933 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1933
19-A §1933. Parentage; parental rights and responsibilities
Status: in_force

If a gestational carrier agreement satisfies the requirements of this chapter: [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

1. Parentage. The intended parent or parents are by operation of law the parent or parents of the resulting child immediately upon the birth of the child, and the resulting child is considered the child of the intended parent or parents immediately upon the birth of the child. A. Neither the gestational carrier nor her spouse, if any, is the parent of the resulting child. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] B. A person who is determined to be a parent of the resulting child is obligated to support the child. The breach of the gestational carrier agreement by the intended parent or parents does not relieve the intended parent or parents of the obligation to support the resulting child; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

2. Parental rights and responsibilities. Parental rights and responsibilities vest exclusively in the intended parent or parents immediately upon the birth of the resulting child; and [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

3. Laboratory error. If due to a laboratory error the resulting child is not genetically related to either the intended parent or parents or any donor who donated to the intended parent or parents, the intended parent or parents are considered the parent or parents of the child. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2204 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2204
19-A §2204. Caretaker relative; change of payee
Status: in_force

When the department pays cash aid to a caretaker relative who provides primary residential care for a dependent child for whom a support order has been issued, the obligor's obligation under the support order to pay child support and provide medical support continues. The child support is payable to the department for as long as the department pays cash aid for the child. Upon notice to the obligor and the payee named in the support order, the department may redirect payments under the support order to the caretaker relative if the caretaker relative states under penalty of perjury that physical custody of the child was not obtained illegally. The obligor and the payee may contest action to redirect payments at an administrative hearing. The department shall notify the obligor and the payee of the right to a hearing in the notice. If payments are redirected to a caretaker relative, the department may seek to establish an administrative support order against the nonobligated parent. [PL 1997, c. 466, §15 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 466, §28 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 651 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 23 / Section 651
19-A §651. Recording of intentions
Status: in_force

1. Place of recording. Residents of the State intending to be joined in marriage shall record notice of their intentions in the office of the clerk of the municipality in which at least one of them resides or with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. If only one of the parties resides in the State, the parties shall record notice of their intentions in the office of the clerk of the municipality in which the resident party resides or with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. If there is no clerk in the place of their residence, the notice must be filed with the clerk of an adjoining municipality or with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. If both parties to a marriage reside outside the State, they must file intentions in any municipal office or with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. Once the intentions are filed and the license is issued, the parties are free to marry anywhere within the State. [PL 2019, c. 340, §4 (AMD).]

2. Application. The parties wishing to record notice of their intentions of marriage shall submit an application for recording notice of their intentions of marriage. The application may be issued to any 2 persons otherwise qualified under this chapter regardless of the sex of each person if the clerk or State Registrar of Vital Statistics is satisfied as to the identity of the applicants. The application must include a signed certification that the information recorded on the application is correct and that the applicant is free to marry according to the laws of this State. If either party intends to change that party's name upon marriage, the application must include the proposed new name of that party. The applicant's signature must be acknowledged before an official authorized to take oaths. An electronic copy of the completed application must be attached to the marriage record in the electronic system specified by the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. An application recording notice of intention to marry is not open for public inspection for 50 years from the date of the application except that: A. The names of the parties for whom intentions to marry are filed and the intended date of marriage are public records and open for public inspection; and [PL 2021, c. 49, §1 (RPR).] B. A person with a researcher identification card under Title 22, section 2706, subsection 8 is permitted to inspect records and may be issued a noncertified copy of an application. [PL 2021, c. 49, §1 (RPR).] [PL 2025, c. 130, §1 (AMD).]

3. Related parties. If the parties recording notice of their intentions to marry are related as described in section 701, subsection 2 , the parties shall submit to the clerk or the State Registrar of Vital Statistics, at the time of recording their intentions to marry, a certificate from a physician stating that the parties have received genetic counseling from the physician. The physician making the certification required by this subsection shall sign the certificate. [PL 2019, c. 340, §6 (AMD).]

4. Prior marriages. Persons recording notice of intention to marry, either of whom has been previously married, shall submit with the application a certificate or certified copy of the divorce decree or annulment of the last marriage or the death record of the last spouse. If both have been previously married, both shall submit the certificates or certified copies. The clerk or State Registrar of Vital Statistics shall make a notation on the application under subsection 2 showing the title and location of the courts, the names of the parties to the proceeding for the divorces or annulments and the date when the decrees became absolute. In the case of a death of a former spouse, the clerk or State Registrar of Vital Statistics shall show the name of the deceased along with the date and place of death. [PL 2019, c. 340, §6 (AMD).]

5. Recognition of foreign divorces. A record of divorce from another state or foreign country is evidence of divorce. If the record is not in English, the record must be translated into English by a disinterested 3rd person at the parties' expense. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Resident defined. For the purposes of this chapter, "resident" means a person whose habitation is fixed in a place within this State and to which that person, whenever temporarily absent, has the intention to return. A person is a resident of a municipality if the place of habitation is within that particular municipality. The clerk of a municipality or the State Registrar of Vital Statistics shall consider a person who qualifies as a resident under Title 21‑A, section 112 for voting purposes a resident for the purposes of this chapter. [PL 2019, c. 340, §7 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1911 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1911
19-A §1911. Court order for testing
Status: in_force

1. Order to submit to genetic testing. Except as provided in section 1912 or as otherwise provided in this chapter, the court may order a child and other designated individuals to submit to genetic testing if the request for testing is supported by the sworn statement of a party to a proceeding setting forth a reasonable, good faith basis for alleging or denying genetic parentage. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

2. Presumption of genetic maternity. Genetic testing of the woman who gave birth to a child is not required and may not be ordered to prove that she is the genetic mother, unless there is a reasonable, good faith basis to dispute genetic maternity. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

3. No presumed, acknowledged or adjudicated parent. A child support enforcement agency may seek an order for genetic testing only if there is no presumed parent, acknowledged parent, adjudicated parent or intended parent who consented to assisted reproduction pursuant to this chapter. Genetic testing may not be ordered if the person who is the subject of the request for order is a donor. [PL 2021, c. 610, §5 (AMD).]

4. In utero testing. If a request for genetic testing of a child is made before birth, the court may not order in utero testing. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

5. Concurrent or sequential testing. If 2 or more individuals are subject to court-ordered genetic testing, the testing may be ordered concurrently or sequentially. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1658 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 55 / Section 1658
19-A §1658. Termination of parental rights and responsibilities
Status: in_force

1. Petitioner. A petition for termination of a parent's parental rights and responsibilities with respect to a specific child may be filed by another parent or the parent or guardian of a child's minor parent on any grounds set forth in subsection 3‑A . A parent may not file a petition under this section to terminate the parent's own parental rights and responsibilities. [PL 2021, c. 676, Pt. A, §30 (AMD).]

1-A. Filing and contents of petition. A petition to terminate parental rights and responsibilities must be filed in the District Court. The petition must be sworn and must include at least the following: A. The name and date and place of birth of the child; [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).] B. The name and address of the petitioner and the nature of the petitioner's relationship to the child; [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).] C. The name of each of the child's parents; [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).] D. A summary statement of the alleged facts that the petitioner believes constitute grounds for termination under subsection 2 ; [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).] E. A statement of the effects of a termination order; and [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).] F. A statement that the parent whose rights and responsibilities are the subject of the petition to terminate parental rights and responsibilities is entitled to legal counsel in the termination proceedings and that, if the parent wants an attorney and is unable to afford one, the parent should contact the court as soon as possible to request appointed counsel. [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 20, §1 (AMD).]

2. Grounds for petition. The following allegations, if proven, are sufficient grounds to terminate a parent's parental rights and responsibilities under this section: A. The parent was convicted of a crime involving sexual assault, as defined in Title 17‑A, section 253 , 254 or 556 , or a comparable crime in another jurisdiction, that resulted in the conception of the child; [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (AMD).] B. The child was conceived as a result of an act of sexual assault, as defined in Title 17‑A, section 253 , 254 or 556 , or a comparable crime in another jurisdiction; or [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (AMD).] C. A final order, other than in a protection from abuse matter under former chapter 101 or chapter 103 , that has been in effect for at least 12 months grants the petitioner exclusive parental rights and responsibilities with respect to all aspects of the child's welfare, with the exception of the right and responsibility for support, without reserving for the parent any rights to make decisions, to have access to records or to have contact with the child, and termination of the parent's parental rights and responsibilities is necessary to protect the child from serious harm or the threat of serious harm. [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §35 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §35 (AMD).]

2-A. Procedure on petition to terminate parental rights and responsibilities. Once a petition to terminate parental rights and responsibilities is filed, the following procedure applies. A. The court shall appoint an attorney for a parent who is the subject of a petition to terminate parental rights and responsibilities under this section and who is indigent. In a contested action, the court may also appoint counsel for any indigent petitioner who files a petition under this section when the parent who is the subject of the petition is represented by counsel. [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).] B. The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child if the petition to terminate parental rights and responsibilities is brought under subsection 2, paragraph C . The appointment may be made at any time, but the court shall make every effort to make the appointment as soon as possible after the commencement of the proceeding. [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).] C. The court may hold a status conference prior to scheduling a hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights and responsibilities. [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).] D. The court may refer the parties to mediation prior to conducting a hearing on a petition to terminate parental rights and responsibilities. [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).] E. A parent may consent to an order terminating the parent's rights and responsibilities after a judge has fully explained the effects of the termination order and if such consent is written and voluntarily and knowingly executed in court. A parent's consent to the order is not a sufficient basis to enter an order in the absence of the findings required in subsection 3‑A and any other applicable provisions of this section. [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).] F. The federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, 25 United States Code, Section 1901 et seq. and the Maine Indian Child Welfare Act govern all proceedings under this section that pertain to an Indian child as defined in those Acts. [PL 2023, c. 359, §3 (AMD).] G. Proceedings and records under this section are not public unless the court orders otherwise. The Supreme Judicial Court may adopt rules governing requests for access to these proceedings and records. [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 359, §3 (AMD).]

3. Termination. [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (RP).]

3-A. Termination. The court: A. Shall order termination of the parent's parental rights and responsibilities if the court finds based on a preponderance of the evidence that the petitioner has proven the allegations in subsection 2, paragraph A unless the court determines that the exception in subsection 4 applies; or [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).] B. May order termination of the parent's parental rights and responsibilities if the court finds based on clear and convincing evidence: (1) That the petitioner has proven the allegations in subsection 2, paragraph B ; or (2) That the petitioner has proven the allegations in subsection 2, paragraph C and, if so, that the termination is also in the best interest of the child. Evidence that termination is necessary to protect the child from harm or threat of serious harm may include, but is not limited to, proof of: (a) The parent's conduct demonstrating an intent to permanently forgo all parental duties or relinquish parental claims regarding the child when that conduct results in harm or threat of harm to the child; or (b) The parent's acts of abuse, as defined in section 4102, subsection 1 , upon the petitioner or a minor child in the parent's or petitioner's household. [PL 2023, c. 646, Pt. C, §6 (AMD).] Except as provided in this section or in Title 18‑C, section 9‑204 , a court may not terminate the parental rights and responsibilities of a parent on a petition filed by another parent or the parent or guardian of a child's minor parent. [PL 2023, c. 646, Pt. C, §6 (AMD).]

4. Exception. The court is not required to terminate the parental rights and responsibilities of a parent convicted of gross sexual assault under Title 17‑A, section 253, subsection 1, paragraph B that resulted in the conception of the child if: A. The parent or guardian of the other parent filed the petition; [PL 2015, c. 427, §1 (RPR).] B. The other parent informs the court that the sexual act was consensual; and [PL 2015, c. 427, §1 (RPR).] C. The other parent opposes the termination of the parental rights and responsibilities of the parent convicted of the gross sexual assault. [PL 2015, c. 427, §1 (RPR).] [PL 2015, c. 427, §1 (RPR).]

5. Effects of termination order. An order terminating parental rights and responsibilities under this section has the effects set forth in Title 22, section 4056 . [PL 2021, c. 340, §2 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2366 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2366
19-A §2366. Employer or holder responsibility and liability
Status: in_force

A person who fails to honor an order to withhold and deliver, an order for expedited withholding, or a duly executed assignment of earnings, or fails to surrender property under section 2363 , is liable to the department for the greater of $500 or the amount the person was required to remit to the department under a lien, order to withhold and deliver, order for expedited withholding, demand for surrender or assignment of earnings, together with costs, interest and reasonable attorney's fees. [PL 1997, c. 332, §1 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 332, §2 (AFF).]

When an order to withhold and deliver or assignment of earnings is in effect and the obligor's employment is terminated or the periodic payment terminates, the obligor's employer or other payor of funds shall notify the department of the termination within 30 days of the termination date. The notice must include the obligor's last known home address, the obligor's social security number, the support enforcement case number and the name and address of the obligor's new employer or payor of funds, if known. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1657 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 55 / Section 1657
19-A §1657. Modification or termination of orders for parental rights and responsibilities
Status: in_force

1. Modification or termination. An order for parental rights and responsibilities may be modified or terminated as circumstances require: A. Upon the petition of one or both of the parents; or [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. Upon the motion of an agency or person who has been granted parental rights and responsibilities or contact with a child under this chapter. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Change in circumstances. In reviewing a motion for modification or termination filed under chapter 59 or section 1653 or 1655 , the following constitute a substantial change in circumstances: A. The relocation, or intended relocation, of a child resident in this state to another state by a parent, when the other parent is a resident of this State and there exists an award of shared or allocated parental rights and responsibilities concerning the child; [PL 1997, c. 403, §2 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 403, §4 (AFF).] A-1. The relocation, or intended relocation, of a child that will disrupt the parent-child contact between the child and the parent who is not relocating, if there exists an award of shared or allocated parental rights and responsibilities concerning the child. Relocating the child more than 60 miles from the residence of the parent who is relocating or more than 60 miles from the residence of the parent who is not relocating is presumed to disrupt the parent-child contact between the child and the parent who is not relocating; [PL 1997, c. 403, §3 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 403, §4 (AFF).] A-2. The receipt of notice of the intended relocation of the child as required under section 1653, subsection 14 ; or [PL 1997, c. 403, §3 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 403, §4 (AFF).] B. A finding by the court that domestic or family violence has occurred since the last determination of primary residence. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1997, c. 403, §§2, 3 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 403, §4 (AFF).]

3. Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. The jurisdiction granted by this section to make or alter an order concerning parental rights and responsibilities with respect to a minor child is limited by the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, if another state may have jurisdiction as provided in that Act. [PL 1999, c. 486, §1 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1925 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1925
19-A §1925. Challenge by spouse to consent
Status: in_force

1. Challenge by spouse to consent. The spouse of a person who gives birth to a child through assisted reproduction may challenge the spouse's own parentage of the child only if: A. The spouse did not provide gametes or embryos for the assisted reproduction; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] B. The spouse did not before or after the birth of the child consent to the assisted reproduction by the person who gave birth; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] C. The spouse and the person who gave birth to the child have not cohabitated since the time of the child's birth; and [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] D. The spouse did not openly hold out the child as the spouse's own. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2802 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 2802
19-A §2802. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

1. Child. "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. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Child support order. "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. [PL 2009, c. 95, §1 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

2-A. Convention. "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. [PL 2009, c. 95, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

3. Duty of support. "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. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3-A. Foreign country. "Foreign country" means a country, including a political subdivision thereof, other than the United States, that under its law authorizes the issuance of support orders and: A. Has been declared under the law of the United States to be a foreign reciprocating country; [PL 2009, c. 95, §3 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] B. Has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this State as provided in section 3008‑A ; [PL 2009, c. 95, §3 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] C. Has enacted a law or established procedures for the issuance and enforcement of support orders that are substantially similar to the procedures under this chapter; or [PL 2009, c. 95, §3 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] D. In which the Convention is in force with respect to the United States. [PL 2009, c. 95, §3 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] [PL 2009, c. 95, §3 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

3-B. Foreign support order. "Foreign support order" means a support order issued by a foreign tribunal. [PL 2009, c. 95, §4 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

3-C. Foreign tribunal. "Foreign tribunal" means a court, administrative agency or quasi-judicial entity of a foreign country authorized to establish, enforce or modify support orders or to determine parentage of a child. "Foreign tribunal" includes a competent authority under the Convention. [PL 2009, c. 95, §5 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

4. Home state. "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 petition 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 a parent or a person acting as parent. A period of temporary absence of a parent or a person acting as parent is counted as part of the 6-month or other period. [PL 2009, c. 95, §6 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

5. Income. "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. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Income-withholding order. "Income-withholding order" means an order or other legal process directed to an obligor's employer, as provided by chapter 65, subchapter IV , to withhold support from the income of the obligor. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

7. Initiating state. "Initiating state" means a state from which a proceeding is forwarded or in which a proceeding is filed for forwarding to a responding state under this chapter or a law or procedure substantially similar to this chapter. [PL 2003, c. 436, §1 (AMD).]

8. Initiating tribunal. "Initiating tribunal" means the tribunal of a state or foreign country from which a petition or comparable pleading is forwarded or in which a petition or comparable pleading is filed for forwarding to another state or foreign country. [PL 2009, c. 95, §7 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

8-A. Issuing foreign country. "Issuing foreign country" means the foreign country in which a tribunal issues a support order or judgment determining parentage. [PL 2009, c. 95, §8 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

9. Issuing state. "Issuing state" means the state in which a tribunal issues a support order or a judgment determining parentage of a child. [PL 2009, c. 95, §9 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

10. Issuing tribunal. "Issuing tribunal" means the tribunal of a state or foreign country that issues a support order or a judgment determining parentage of a child. [PL 2009, c. 95, §10 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

11. Law. "Law" includes decisional and statutory law and rules and regulations having the force of law. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

11-A. Outside this State. "Outside this State" means a location in another state or a country other than the United States, whether or not the country meets the definition of "foreign country" under subsection 3‑A . [PL 2009, c. 95, §11 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

12. Obligee. "Obligee" means: A. 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; [PL 2009, c. 95, §12 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] B. A foreign country or a state or a political subdivision of a state to which the rights under a duty of support or support order have been assigned or that has independent claims based on financial assistance provided to an individual obligee in place of child support; [PL 2009, c. 95, §12 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] C. An individual seeking a judgment determining parentage of the individual's child; or [PL 2009, c. 95, §12 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] D. A person that is a creditor in a proceeding subject to subchapter 7‑A . [PL 2009, c. 95, §12 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] [PL 2009, c. 95, §12 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

13. Obligor. "Obligor" means an individual or the estate of a decedent: A. Who owes or is alleged to owe a duty of support; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. Who is alleged but has not been adjudicated to be a parent of a child; [PL 2009, c. 95, §13 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] C. Who is liable under a support order; or [PL 2009, c. 95, §13 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] D. Who is a debtor in a proceeding under subchapter 7‑A . [PL 2009, c. 95, §13 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] [PL 2009, c. 95, §13 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

13-A. Person. "Person" means an individual; corporation; business 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. [PL 2009, c. 95, §14 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

13-B. Record. "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. [PL 2003, c. 436, §2 (NEW).]

14. Register. "Register" means to file in a tribunal of this State a support order or judgment determining parentage of a child issued in another state or foreign country. [PL 2009, c. 95, §15 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

15. Registering tribunal. "Registering tribunal" means a tribunal in which a support order or judgment determining parentage of a child is registered. [PL 2009, c. 95, §16 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

16. Responding state. "Responding state" means a state in which a petition or comparable pleading for support or to determine parentage of a child is filed or to which a petition or comparable pleading is forwarded for filing from another state or a foreign country. [PL 2009, c. 95, §17 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

17. Responding tribunal. "Responding tribunal" means the authorized tribunal in a responding state or foreign country. [PL 2009, c. 95, §18 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

18. Spousal support order. "Spousal support order" means a support order for a spouse or former spouse of the obligor. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

19. State. "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The term "state" includes an Indian nation or tribe. A. [PL 2009, c. 95, §19 (RP); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] B. [PL 2009, c. 95, §19 (RP); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] [PL 2009, c. 95, §19 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

20. State information agency. "State information agency" in this State is the Department of Health and Human Services. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6 (REV).]

21. Support enforcement agency. "Support enforcement agency" means a public official or agency authorized to: A. Seek enforcement of support orders or laws relating to the duty of support; [PL 2009, c. 95, §20 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] B. Seek establishment or modification of child support; [PL 2009, c. 95, §20 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] C. Request determination of parentage; [PL 2009, c. 95, §20 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] D. Attempt to locate obligors or their assets; or [PL 2009, c. 95, §20 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] E. Request determination of the controlling child support order. [PL 2009, c. 95, §20 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] The support enforcement agency in this State is the Department of Health and Human Services. [PL 2009, c. 95, §20 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

22. Support order. "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. "Support order" may include related costs and fees, interest, income withholding, automatic adjustment, reasonable attorney's fees and other relief. [PL 2009, c. 95, §21 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

23. Tribunal. "Tribunal" means a court, administrative agency or quasi-judicial entity authorized to establish, enforce or modify support orders or to determine parentage. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

24. Tribunal of this State. A "tribunal of this State" means the District Court or the Department of Health and Human Services. [PL 1999, c. 731, Pt. ZZZ, §36 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 731, Pt. ZZZ, §42 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6 (REV).]
19-A M.R.S. § 606 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 21 / Section 606
19-A §606. Effect of children
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this section, an effective premarital agreement is void 18 months after the parties to the agreement become parents or guardians of a minor. The premarital agreement is not void if, within the 18-month period, the parties sign a written amendment to the agreement either stating that the agreement remains in effect or altering the agreement. Sections 607 and 608 apply to any amendment under this section. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. C, §7 (AMD); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

This section does not apply to premarital agreements executed on or after October 1, 1993. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2304 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2304
19-A §2304. Administrative establishment of parental support obligation; debt for past support; obligation to provide health insurance coverage
Status: in_force

When a support order has not been established, the department may establish the responsible parent's current parental support obligation pursuant to chapter 63 , establish the responsible parent's debt for past support, including medical expenses, and establish the responsible parent's obligation to maintain health insurance coverage for each dependent child or to pay a proportionate share of health insurance premiums. The department may proceed on its own behalf or on behalf of another state or another state's instrumentality, an individual or governmental applicant for services under section 2103 or a person entitled by federal law to support enforcement services as a former recipient of public assistance. The department acting on behalf of another state, another state's instrumentality or a person residing in another state constitutes good cause within the meaning of Title 5, section 9057, subsection 5 . Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a parental support obligation established under this section continues beyond the child's 18th birthday, if the child is attending secondary school as defined in Title 20‑A, section 1 , until the child graduates, withdraws, is expelled or attains 19 years of age, whichever occurs first. For purposes of this section, "debt for past support" includes a debt owed to the department under section 2301, subsection 1, paragraph A , a debt owed under section 2103 and a debt that accrues under sections 1504 and 1554 . [PL 2001, c. 264, §12 (AMD).]

1. Notice of support order. The department shall serve the responsible parent with a notice that it intends to establish a support order and a blank income affidavit. The notice must state: A. The names of both parents and the names of each dependent child; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. The department's intention to establish a support order, which may include a periodic payment for current support, a debt for past support, including medical expenses, and an obligation to provide health insurance coverage; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. That the responsible parent must submit a completed income affidavit to the department within 30 days; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. That the department calculates a proposed support order based on the State's child support guidelines using all available information and, if there is a lack of sufficient reliable information about a parent's actual earnings for a current or past period, the department presumes for the purpose of establishing a current support obligation or a debt for past support that the responsible parent has or had an earning capacity equal to the average weekly wage as determined by the Department of Labor statistics for the applicable years; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] E. That the department will send to the responsible parent by regular mail a copy of the proposed support order and the department's child support worksheets; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] F. That the responsible parent may request a hearing in writing within 30 days of the date of mailing of the proposed support order; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] G. That, if the department does not receive a timely request for hearing, it will issue a decision that incorporates the findings of the proposed support order and will send a copy of the decision to both parents by regular mail; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] H. That, after a decision is issued, the department may enforce the decision by any lawful means, including immediate income withholding, lien and foreclosure, administrative seizure and disposition, order to withhold and deliver and tax refund intercept; and [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] I. That, if the department establishes a debt for past support, the department may report the responsible parent and the amount of the debt to a consumer credit reporting agency. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Proposed support order. After serving notice upon the responsible parent in accordance with subsection 1 and after more than 30 days have elapsed, the department shall calculate the responsible parent's parental support obligation and debt for past support pursuant to chapter 63 . Based on its calculations under the support guidelines, the department shall issue a proposed support order. The proposed support order must include the department's calculations and state the amount of the responsible parent's current parental support obligation and debt for past support, including medical expenses, and must state the responsible parent's obligation to provide health insurance coverage for each dependent child and to pay a proportionate share of uninsured medical expenses. The department shall send a copy of the proposed support order to the responsible parent by regular mail, along with a copy of the department's child support worksheet. The proposed order must be accompanied by a notice that states: A. That the responsible parent has the right to request a hearing within 30 days of the date of mailing of the proposed support order and that, if a hearing is requested, the department will send the responsible parent a notice of hearing by regular mail at least 30 days before the date of the hearing, along with a statement of the hearing rights described in subsection 3, paragraph A ; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. That, if the department does not receive a timely request for hearing, the department will issue a decision that incorporates the findings of the proposed support order into the department's decision and will send a copy of the decision to both parents by regular mail; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. That, if the department issues a decision that establishes a responsible parent's support obligation, the department may enforce the decision by any lawful means, including immediate income withholding, lien and foreclosure, administrative seizure and disposition, order to withhold and deliver and tax refund intercept; and [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. That, if the department establishes a debt for past support, the department may report the responsible parent and the amount of that debt to a consumer credit reporting agency. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Hearing. The hearing must be conducted according to rules adopted by the commissioner. A. At the hearing, the responsible parent may present testimony, cross-examine witnesses and be represented by an attorney or other person. In rendering a decision, the department may not consider evidence that was not presented at the hearing. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. When deciding the amount of the current parental support obligation, the debt for past support and the availability of health insurance coverage, the official conducting the hearing shall consider at least the following criteria: (1) Each child's needs; (2) The responsible parent's income and real and personal property; (3) The responsible parent's ability to borrow; (4) The responsible parent's ability to earn; (5) The responsible parent's needs; (6) Whether the responsible parent has a duty to support other dependents. In any case, each child for whom support is sought must benefit as much as any other dependent from the income and resources of the responsible parent; (7) Whether the responsible parent has voluntarily incurred subsequent obligations that have reduced that parent's ability to pay support. This condition does not relieve the responsible parent of the duty to provide support; (8) Whether employer-related or other group health insurance coverage is available to the responsible parent; and (9) Whether the responsible parent's existing health insurance coverage may be extended to include each dependent child. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

4. Decision. If a hearing is held, the department shall render a decision based on the hearing record and applicable state laws and rulemaking. If a request for hearing is not made in a timely manner or if the responsible parent does not appear at the hearing, the department shall issue a decision that incorporates the findings of the department's proposed support order. The department shall send a copy of the decision to both parents by regular mail. The decision must establish and state: A. The responsible parent's duty to provide support, the amount of the current parental support obligation, the amount of any debt for past support including medical expenses, the obligation of the responsible parent to maintain health insurance coverage for each dependent child and to pay a proportionate share of uninsured medical expenses and that the responsible parent must provide written proof to the department of health insurance coverage that is required by the decision within 15 days of the responsible parent's receipt of the decision; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. If an obligation for current support is established, an order for immediate income withholding is issued and made a part of the decision; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. That, 30 days after the decision is issued, the department may enforce the decision by any lawful means, including immediate income withholding, lien and foreclosure, administrative seizure and disposition, order to withhold and deliver and tax refund intercept; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. That, if the department establishes a debt for past support, the department may report the responsible parent and the amount of the debt to a consumer credit reporting agency; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] E. That, if the responsible parent does not maintain health insurance coverage when required to do so by the department, the responsible parent may be held liable for all medical expenditures made by the department or the custodial parent on behalf of each dependent child; and [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] F. That the responsible parent may appeal the decision within 30 days of the date of mailing of the decision by requesting the department to hold an administrative appeal hearing. The decision must also state that the resulting appeal hearing must be based on the evidence submitted at the underlying hearing, if any. Evidence not part of the hearing record may be considered at the appeal hearing only if the evidence was offered but incorrectly excluded at the underlying hearing. [PL 2005, c. 352, §9 (AMD).] [PL 2005, c. 352, §9 (AMD).]

5. Collection action. The department may initiate collection action 30 days after the date of mailing of a decision. If a decision includes an immediate income withholding order, the department may implement the withholding order to collect current support immediately after the decision is issued. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Subsequent order. A decision under this section remains in effect until superseded by a subsequent support order. [PL 1997, c. 466, §18 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 466, §2 (AFF).]

7. Request to set aside. Within one year of the mailing of a decision, the responsible parent may request the department to set aside the decision if the responsible parent shows good cause why the responsible parent did not request a hearing or did not appear at a hearing and presents a meritorious defense to the decision. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

8. Amendment. A responsible parent may request an administrative hearing to amend a decision issued under this section prospectively based on a substantial change of circumstances. The department may seek to amend a decision issued under this section prospectively, based on a substantial change of circumstances, by using the same process permitted by this section for establishing a support obligation. When proceeding to amend a decision issued under this section, the department shall state in its notice of hearing that the purpose of the proceeding is to amend the responsible parent's support obligation based on a substantial change of circumstances. Modification and termination of child support orders are governed by section 2009 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

9. Enforcement. A decision under this section establishes a support obligation for purposes of enforcement under section 2103 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

10. Provisions supplemental. The provisions of this chapter are in addition to other laws and rules that enable the department to establish child support obligations. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3317 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3317
19-A §3317. Contest of registered Convention support order
Status: in_force

1. General requirements. Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, sections 3201 to 3204 apply to a contest of a registered Convention support order. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

2. Additional requirements. 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. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

3. Enforceable by operation of law. If the nonregistering party fails to contest the registered Convention support order by the time specified in subsection 2 , the order is enforceable. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

4. Basis. A contest of a registered convention support order may be based only on grounds set forth in section 3318 . The contesting party bears the burden of proof. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

5. Limitations. In a contest of a registered Convention support order, a tribunal of this State: A. Is bound by the findings of fact on which the foreign tribunal based its jurisdiction; and [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] B. May not review the merits of the support order. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

6. Notice of decision. A tribunal of this State deciding a contest of a registered Convention support order shall promptly notify the parties of its decision. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

7. No stay on appeal. A challenge or appeal, if any, does not stay the enforcement of a Convention support order unless there are exceptional circumstances. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1881 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1881
19-A §1881. Presumption of parentage
Status: in_force

1. Marital presumption established. A person is presumed to be the parent of a child if: A. The person and the woman giving birth to the child are married to each other and the child is born during the marriage; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] B. The person and the woman giving birth to the child were married to each other and the child is born within 300 days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment, divorce or declaration of invalidity or after a decree of separation; or [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] C. Before the birth of the child, the person and the woman giving birth to the child married each other in apparent compliance with law, even if the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and the child is born during the invalid marriage or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulment, divorce or declaration of invalidity or after a decree of separation. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

2. Equivalent status in other jurisdictions. The marital presumption in subsection 1 applies to a legal relationship that provides substantially the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as marriage and is recognized as valid in the state or jurisdiction in which it was entered. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

3. Nonmarital presumption established. A person is presumed to be a parent of a child if the person resided in the same household with the child and openly held out the child as that person's own from the time the child was born or adopted and for a period of at least 2 years thereafter and assumed personal, financial or custodial responsibilities for the child. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

4. Rebuttal or challenge of presumption. A presumption established under this subchapter may be rebutted or challenged only by a court determination of parentage pursuant to section 1882 or a valid denial of parentage under subchapter 3 . [PL 2021, c. 610, §2 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1776 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1776
19-A §1776. Role of law enforcement
Status: in_force

At the request of a prosecutor acting under section 1775 , a law enforcement officer may take any lawful action reasonably necessary to locate a child or a party and assist a prosecutor with responsibilities under section 1775 . [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1905 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1905
19-A §1905. Costs of genetic testing
Status: in_force

1. Payment for the costs advanced. The payment for the costs, if any, of initial genetic testing must be advanced: A. By the department in a proceeding in which the department is providing services; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] B. By the individual who made the request; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] C. As agreed by the parties; or [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] D. As ordered by the court. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

2. Reimbursement. In cases in which the payment for the costs of initial genetic testing is advanced pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph A , the department may seek reimbursement from a person who is rebuttably identified through the genetic testing as the genetic father or genetic mother. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 4112 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 4 / Chapter 103 / Section 4112
19-A §4112. Sealing
Status: in_force

1. Identifying information. If a party alleges in an affidavit or a pleading under oath that the health, safety or liberty of a party or child would be jeopardized by disclosure of identifying information, the information must be sealed by the clerk of the court and not disclosed to the other party or to the public, unless the court orders the disclosure to be made after a hearing in which the court takes into consideration the health, safety or liberty of the party or child and determines that the disclosure is in the interest of justice. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]

2. Private images. In any proceeding under this chapter, access to and dissemination of certain private images as described in Title 17‑A, section 511‑A , and any written information describing and directly pertaining to the images contained in court records are governed by rule or administrative order adopted by the Supreme Judicial Court. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 608 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 21 / Section 608
19-A §608. Enforcement
Status: in_force

1. Not enforceable. A premarital agreement is not enforceable if the party against whom enforcement is sought proves that: A. That party did not execute the agreement voluntarily; or [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. The agreement was unconscionable when it was executed and, before execution of the agreement, that party: (1) Was not provided a fair and reasonable disclosure of the property or financial obligations of the other party; (2) Did not voluntarily and expressly waive, in writing, any right to disclosure of the property or financial obligations of the other party beyond the disclosure provided; and (3) Did not have, or reasonably could not have had, an adequate knowledge of the property or financial obligations of the other party. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Support required. If a provision of a premarital agreement modifies or eliminates spousal support and that modification or elimination causes one party to the agreement to be eligible for support under a program of public assistance at the time of separation or marital dissolution, a court, notwithstanding the terms of the agreement, may require the other party to provide support to the extent necessary to avoid that eligibility. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Unconscionability. An issue of unconscionability of a premarital agreement must be decided by the court as a matter of law. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2011 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 63 / Section 2011
19-A §2011. Child support table established
Status: in_force

The department, in consultation with the Supreme Judicial Court and interested parties, shall adopt rules in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375 , establishing a child support table that reflects the percentage of combined gross income that parents living in the same household in this State ordinarily spend on their children. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II‑A . [PL 2001, c. 554, §11 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2963 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 2963
19-A §2963. Initiating and responding tribunal of this State
Status: in_force

Under this chapter, 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. [PL 2009, c. 95, §26 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1747 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1747
19-A §1747. Jurisdiction to modify determination
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in section 1748 , a court of this State may not modify a child custody determination made by a court of another state unless a court of this State has jurisdiction to make an initial determination under section 1745, subsection 1, paragraph A or B and: [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

1. Jurisdiction of other state; more convenient forum. The court of the other state determines it no longer has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under section 1746 or that a court of this State would be a more convenient forum under section 1751 ; or [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Not residents of other state. A court of this State or a court of the other state determines that the child, the child's parents and any person acting as a parent do not presently reside in the other state. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1655 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 55 / Section 1655
19-A §1655. Support and maintenance when parental rights and responsibilities or contact awarded to agency or person other than parent
Status: in_force

1. Department granted parental rights and responsibilities or contact awarded. When the department has been granted parental rights and responsibilities for a child under this chapter, Title 22, chapter 1071 applies regarding subsequent reviews and governs further rights and responsibilities of the department, the parents, the child and any other party. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Modification of orders. Upon the motion of an agency or person who has been granted parental rights and responsibilities or contact with respect to a child under this chapter, the court may alter its order concerning parental rights and responsibilities or contact with respect to a minor child as circumstances require in accordance with section 1657 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Support of child committed to agency. When a child under 17 years of age is committed by the District Court, or the District Court acting as a Juvenile Court, to custody other than that of the child's parent, that commitment is subject to Title 22, sections 4038 , 4061 and 4063 . The court may, after giving a parent a reasonable opportunity to be heard, adjudge that the parent shall pay, in a manner as the court may direct, a sum that covers in whole or in part the support of that child. If that parent fails to pay that sum, that parent may be proceeded against as provided in chapter 65 . A determination or modification of child support under this section must comply with chapter 63 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1939 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1939
19-A §1939. Liability for payment of gestational carrier health care costs
Status: in_force

1. Liability for health care costs. The intended parent or parents are liable for the health care costs of the gestational carrier that are not paid by her health insurance. As used in this section, "health care costs" means the expenses of all health care provided for assisted reproduction, prenatal care, labor and delivery. [PL 2015, c. 456, §2 (NEW).]

2. Agreement. A gestational carrier agreement must explicitly detail how the health care costs of the gestational carrier are paid. The breach of a gestational carrier agreement by a party to the agreement does not relieve the intended parent or parents of the liability for health care costs imposed by subsection 1 . [PL 2015, c. 456, §2 (NEW).]

3. Effect on insurance coverage. This section is not intended to supplant any health insurance coverage that is otherwise available to the gestational carrier or an intended parent for the coverage of health care costs. This section does not change the health insurance coverage of the gestational carrier or the responsibility of the insurance company to pay benefits under a policy that covers a gestational carrier. [PL 2015, c. 456, §2 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2252 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2252
19-A §2252. Limit on use
Status: in_force

A support obligation or debt incurred before October 1, 1975 may not be enforced by the methods of this article. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1806 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 59 / Section 1806
19-A §1806. Other actions
Status: in_force

This chapter does not limit a grandparent's ability to file any action not governed by the provisions of this chapter with respect to a child, including but not limited to an action to establish de facto parentage of a child under section 1891 , an action for guardianship of a child under Title 18‑C, Article 5 and a child protection petition under Title 22, section 4032, subsection 1, paragraph C . [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. A, §39 (COR).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2307 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2307
19-A §2307. Discovery of past income
Status: in_force

The responsible parent has an obligation to supply evidence regarding past income in order to calculate the debt owed the department or an applicant for services under section 2103 if the evidence is reasonably available. The responsible parent has 30 days to supply evidence of past income if requested to do so by the department. A request for evidence regarding past income may be made through an administrative form developed by the department. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

Failure to provide the evidence, absent a showing of good cause for failure to do so or notification to the department of good faith attempts to secure the information, allows the administrative hearing officer to draw a reasonable inference from the evidence available, including an inference that the responsible parent had a greater earning capacity than the average weekly wage of a worker within this State as defined by the most recent Department of Labor statistics. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3313 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3313
19-A §3313. Relationship of the department to United States central authority
Status: in_force

The Department of Health and Human Services of this State is recognized as the agency designated by the United States central authority to perform specific functions under the Convention. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 803 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 25 / Section 803
19-A §803. Spouse's earnings
Status: in_force

A married person may receive the wages of that person's personal labor not performed for that person's own family, maintain an action for those wages in that person's own name and hold them in that person's own right against that person's spouse or any other person. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1782 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1782
19-A §1782. Effective date
Status: in_force

This chapter takes effect January 1, 2000. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2155 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2155
19-A §2155. Duty to report
Status: in_force

A responsible parent required by law to pay child support to the department shall inform the department of any changes in the responsible parent's current address or employer. Failure to report a change of address or employer to the department within 15 days is a civil violation for which a forfeiture not to exceed $200 may be adjudged for each violation. Each judicial order or administrative decision issued or modified in this State that includes an order for child support must include a statement that advises the responsible parent of the duty to report and the penalty for failure to report. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2356 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2356
19-A §2356. Exemptions
Status: in_force

The following exemptions apply to weekly earnings. The maximum part of the aggregate disposable earnings of a responsible parent for any workweek that is subject to garnishment or income withholding may not exceed: [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

1. Supporting spouse or dependent child. When the individual is supporting that individual's spouse or dependent child, other than a spouse or child with respect to whose support that order is used, 50% of that individual's disposable earnings for that week; or [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Not supporting spouse or dependent child. When the individual is not supporting such a spouse or dependent child described in subsection 1 , 60% of that individual's disposable earnings for that week. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

With respect to the disposable earnings of any individual for any workweek, the 50% specified in subsection 1 is deemed to be 55% and the 60% specified in subsection 2 is deemed to be 65% if and to the extent that such earnings are subject to garnishment to enforce a support order with respect to a period that is prior to the 12-week period that ends with the beginning of that workweek. In no event may the amount withheld exceed the limitations imposed by 15 United States Code, Section 1673. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1741 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1741
19-A §1741. Taking testimony in another state
Status: in_force

1. Testimony of witnesses in another state. In addition to other procedures available to a party, a party to a child custody proceeding may offer testimony of witnesses who are located in another state, including testimony of the parties and the child, by deposition or other means allowable in this State for testimony taken in another state. The court on its own motion may order that the testimony of a person be taken in another state and may prescribe the manner in which and the terms upon which the testimony is taken. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Forms of testimony. A court of this State may permit an individual residing in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual means or other electronic means before a designated court or at another location in that state. A court of this State shall cooperate with courts of other states in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

3. Exclusion of documentary evidence. Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a court of this State by technological means that do not produce an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2152 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2152
19-A §2152. Disclosure of information in medical support recoupment and child support cases
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Assets" means any interest in real or personal property. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. "Medicaid recipient" means an individual authorized by the department to receive services under the provisions of the United States Social Security Act, Title XIX and successors to it. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Request for information concerning responsible parents. Except as provided in subsection 5 , the department may request of any person information needed to establish, modify or enforce a support order, including a responsible parent's or alleged responsible parent's: A. Complete name; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. Social security number; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. Date and place of birth; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. Present and past employment status; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] E. Earnings; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] F. Current or last known address; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] G. Assets and liabilities; [PL 1997, c. 537, §31 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] H. Availability and description of present or previous health insurance coverage for a dependent child; and [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] I. Health insurance benefits paid or applied for under a policy of health insurance for a dependent child. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1997, c. 537, §31 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

3. Request for information concerning present and former Medicaid recipients. The department may request of any person information relating to the following matters concerning a present or former Medicaid recipient: A. Availability and description of health insurance coverage; and [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. Health insurance benefits paid or applied for under a policy of health insurance. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

4. Demand for information. [PL 1997, c. 537, §32 (RP); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

5. If paternity has not been established. If an alleged responsible parent is a putative father of a child conceived and born out of wedlock, a request for information must be limited to the following matters concerning the alleged responsible parent: A. Complete name; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. Date and place of birth; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. Present and past employment status; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. Social security number; and [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] E. Current or last known address. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1997, c. 537, §33 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

5-A. Duty to disclose. All persons, as defined in section 101, subsection 9 , shall respond fully and promptly to a request for information made by the department under this section and to a request for similar information made by another state's child support enforcement agency, except that information that is privileged under the Maine Rules of Evidence need not be disclosed. [PL 1997, c. 537, §34 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

6. Immunity from liability. A person who discloses information requested by the department under this section or who discloses similar information requested by another state's child support enforcement agency is immune from liability to any other person because of the disclosure, unless the information is privileged under the Maine Rules of Evidence. [PL 1997, c. 537, §35 (RPR); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

7. Affirmation of responses. The department may require that a response to a request for information be affirmed under the penalties for unsworn falsification under Title 17‑A, section 453 . [PL 1997, c. 537, §36 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

8. Facilitation of responses. The department or other requesting agency shall provide a prepaid, preaddressed envelope with each request for information. [PL 1997, c. 537, §37 (RPR); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

9. Notice to responsible parent or alleged responsible parent. When requesting information as provided by this section, the department shall send a copy of the request to the responsible parent or alleged responsible parent by regular mail to the responsible parent or alleged responsible parent's last known address. [PL 1997, c. 537, §37 (RPR); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

10. Penalties for nondisclosure. A person who knowingly fails to respond to a request for information, who knowingly fails to disclose information requested or who knowingly refuses to disclose, commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture not to exceed $1,000 may be adjudged. A. [PL 1997, c. 537, §37 (RP); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] B. [PL 1997, c. 537, §37 (RP); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] [PL 1997, c. 537, §37 (RPR); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

11. Confidentiality of information; unlawful dissemination; penalty. All information collected in connection with the department's child support enforcement activity and medical support recoupment pursuant to this section is confidential and available only for the use of appropriate departmental personnel and legal counsel for the department in carrying out their functions. A person is guilty of unlawful dissemination if that person knowingly disseminates information in violation of this subsection. Unlawful dissemination is a Class E crime that, notwithstanding Title 17‑A, section 1604, subsection 1, paragraph E , is punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days. [PL 2019, c. 113, Pt. C, §65 (AMD).]

12. Admissible evidence. If a person, in response to a request for information pursuant to this section, provides records or data from regularly conducted business, the information is admissible as a public record pursuant to the Maine Rules of Evidence 803(8)(A) and is not within the investigative report exception found in the Maine Rules of Evidence 803(8)(B) because the information is provided pursuant to a duty imposed by law and is inherently reliable. [PL 2001, c. 264, §10 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2369 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2369
19-A §2369. Assignment of right of support enforcement
Status: in_force

The receipt of public assistance for a child constitutes an assignment by the recipient to the department of all rights to support for the child and spousal support that accrue during the period that the recipient receives public assistance for the child. [PL 2011, c. 34, §3 (AMD).]

The recipient is deemed to have appointed the commissioner as the recipient's attorney in fact to perform the specific act of endorsing over to the department all drafts, checks, money orders or other negotiable instruments for support of the child. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3262 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3262
19-A §3262. Procedure to register child support order of foreign country for modification
Status: in_force

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 as provided in sections 3150 to 3204 if the order has not been registered. A petition for modification may be filed at the same time as a request for registration or at another time. The petition must specify the grounds for modification. [PL 2009, c. 95, §81 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 954 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 29 / Section 954
19-A §954. Income withholding
Status: in_force

1. Availability and establishment of income withholding. Spousal support orders issued or modified by the courts in this State must have a provision for the withholding of income to ensure that withholding as a means of obtaining spousal support is available if arrearages occur. Except as provided in chapter 65, subchapter IV , income withholding against all spousal support obligations ordered by a court within the State must be implemented as follows. A. New orders of spousal support must include a provision withholding the amount of spousal support from the income, regardless of the source, of the person obligated to pay the support. If an existing order of alimony or spousal support does not include a withholding order, the obligee may file a motion to amend the spousal support order to include an order for withholding, which the court shall grant. [PL 1997, c. 433, §1 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 433, §2 (AFF).] B. Each order for withholding must provide for a conspicuous notice to the obligor that withholding may result if the obligor fails to make the spousal support payments and that no withholding may be made until the following conditions are met: (1) Either the obligor requests that income withholding be implemented or the obligee determines that the payments the obligor has failed to make under the spousal support order are at least equal to the amount payable for one month; (2) The obligee serves written notice of the amount of arrearage upon the obligor and informs the obligor that the obligee has procured a court order for income withholding; (3) The obligee mails a copy of the determination of arrearage and a copy of the court's withholding order to the payor of funds; (4) The obligee mails to the Department of Health and Human Services a copy of the determination of arrearage and a copy of the court's withholding order to enable the department to proceed pursuant to subsection 2 ; and (5) The obligor has a 20-day period, after receiving the notice pursuant to subparagraph (2) , to file a motion for determination of arrearages with respect to the amount of spousal support owed and to simultaneously request an ex parte stay of service on the payor of funds until the motion for determination is heard. Any stay issued by the court under this subsection expires in 60 days and may be reissued only upon a showing by the obligor that the obligor has made reasonable efforts to obtain a hearing on the motion for determination of arrearages during the effective period of the stay. [PL 1997, c. 433, §1 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 433, §2 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6 (REV).] C. An order modifying the amount of spousal support issued after a hearing on a motion to modify spousal support may provide that payments be made outright by withholding. If so, paragraph B does not apply. [PL 1997, c. 433, §1 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 433, §2 (AFF).] D. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the withholding order is binding on the payor of funds once service has been made upon the payor. The payor is liable for any amounts the payor fails to withhold after receiving notice. The payor shall withhold from the income payable to the obligor the amount specified in the order and shall monthly or more frequently remit the amounts withheld to the department. The payor may withhold a $2 processing fee in addition to the amount withheld for support. The amount withheld may not exceed the limitations imposed by section 2356 or by 15 United States Code, Section 1673. An employer who, in contravention of this section, discharges from employment, refuses to employ or takes disciplinary action against any obligor because of the existence of an order and the obligations or additional obligations that it imposes upon the employer is subject to a fine in an amount not to exceed $5,000. [PL 1997, c. 433, §1 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 433, §2 (AFF).] E. When a withholding order is in effect and the obligor's employment is terminated or the periodic payment terminates, the obligor's employer or other payor of funds shall notify the department of the termination within 30 days of the termination date. The notice must include the obligor's home address and the name and address of the obligor's new employer or payor of funds, if known. [PL 1997, c. 433, §1 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 433, §2 (AFF).] F. The order of withholding with regard to a current support obligation must be terminated if: (1) The department is unable to forward funds to the obligee for 3 months; or (2) The spousal support obligation has been eliminated by a subsequent court order. A termination may not occur while an arrearage remains unless other provisions for its repayment have been made. [PL 1997, c. 433, §1 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 433, §2 (AFF).] If the department is unable to forward the funds to the obligee for 3 months the funds must be returned to the obligor and notice must be given to the obligor's employer or other payor to cease withholding. [PL 1997, c. 433, §1 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 433, §2 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6 (REV).]

2. Department designated as administering agency. The department is designated as the agency responsible for adopting and administering procedures to receive, record and disburse all spousal support payments collected pursuant to this section. [PL 1997, c. 433, §1 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 433, §2 (AFF).]

3. Liability of payor to obligee. An obligee may maintain an action for compensatory damages, including attorney's fees and court costs, against a payor who knowingly fails to comply with this section. [PL 1997, c. 433, §1 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 433, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 907 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 29 / Section 907
19-A §907. Out-of-state divorces
Status: in_force

When residents of the State go out of the State for the purpose of obtaining a divorce for causes that occurred here while the parties lived here or that do not authorize a divorce here, and a divorce is thus obtained, the divorce is void in this State. In all other cases, a divorce decreed out of the State according to the law of the place, by a court having jurisdiction of the cause and of both parties, is valid here. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

The validity of a custody determination contained in or ancillary to a valid divorce decree granted by another state is governed by the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. [PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. B, §6 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1508 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 51 / Section 1508
19-A §1508. Actions
Status: in_force

An action under this Part may be commenced by civil summons without an order of service from the court. The Supreme Judicial Court shall prescribe by general rule the procedure for that civil action. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1937 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1937
19-A §1937. Effect of subsequent marriage
Status: in_force

1. Agreement valid. The subsequent marriage of the gestational carrier does not affect the validity of a gestational carrier agreement. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

2. Subsequent consent not required. The consent of the subsequent spouse of the gestational carrier to the agreement is not required. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

3. No marital presumption. The subsequent spouse of the gestational carrier is not presumed to be a parent of the resulting child. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2360 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2360
19-A §2360. Setoff of debts against lottery winnings
Status: in_force

1. Notice to Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations. The department shall provide the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, referred to in this section as the "bureau," access to an electronic database of all persons who owe the department a child support debt that has been liquidated by judicial or administrative action. Before paying any state lottery winnings of an amount equal to or greater than the amount for which the bureau is required to file a Form W-2G or substantially equivalent form with the United States Internal Revenue Service, the bureau shall determine whether the lottery winner owes a child support debt to the State that has been liquidated by judicial or administrative action. If the bureau determines that the winner owes child support debts, the bureau shall suspend payment of winnings and notify the winner of its intention to offset the winner's child support debt against the winnings. The bureau shall release any remaining winnings to the winner. The bureau shall notify the winner of the winner's right to request a hearing before the department within 15 days of the winner's receipt of that notice. The hearing is limited to the questions of whether the debt is liquidated and whether post-liquidation events have affected the winner's liability. The decision of the department as to the existence of a liquidated debt constitutes final agency action. [PL 2021, c. 543, §2 (AMD).]

2. Notice to Tri-state Lotto Commission. [PL 2021, c. 543, §2 (RP).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1761 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1761
19-A §1761. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

1. Petitioner. "Petitioner" means a person who seeks enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or enforcement of a child custody determination. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Respondent. "Respondent" means a person against whom a proceeding has been commenced for enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or enforcement of a child custody determination. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1745 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1745
19-A §1745. Initial child custody jurisdiction
Status: in_force

1. Jurisdiction over initial determination. Except as otherwise provided in section 1748 , a court of this State has jurisdiction to make an initial child custody determination only if: A. This State is the home state of the child on the date of the commencement of the proceeding or was the home state of the child within 6 months before the commencement of the proceeding and the child is absent from this State but a parent or person acting as a parent continues to live in this State; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] B. A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under paragraph A or a court of the home state of the child has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that this State is the more appropriate forum under section 1751 or 1752 and: (1) The child and the child's parents, or the child and at least one parent or a person acting as a parent, have a significant connection with this State other than mere physical presence; and (2) Substantial evidence is available in this State concerning the child's care, protection, training and personal relationships; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] C. All courts having jurisdiction under paragraph A or B have declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that a court of this State is the more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the child under section 1751 or 1752 ; or [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] D. No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in paragraph A , B or C . [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Exclusive jurisdictional basis. Subsection 1 is the exclusive jurisdictional basis for making a child custody determination by a court of this State. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

3. Physical presence or personal jurisdiction not necessary or sufficient. Physical presence of or personal jurisdiction over a party or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child custody determination. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2961 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 2961
19-A §2961. Bases for jurisdiction over nonresident
Status: in_force

1. Exercise of jurisdiction. 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: A. The individual is personally served with notice within this State; [PL 2003, c. 436, §10 (NEW).] B. 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; [PL 2015, c. 186, §6 (AMD).] C. The individual resided with the child in this State; [PL 2003, c. 436, §10 (NEW).] D. The individual resided in this State and provided prenatal expenses or support for the child; [PL 2003, c. 436, §10 (NEW).] E. The child resides in this State as a result of the acts or directives of the individual; [PL 2003, c. 436, §10 (NEW).] F. The individual engaged in sexual intercourse in this State and the child may have been conceived by that act of intercourse; or [PL 2003, c. 436, §10 (NEW).] G. There is any other basis consistent with the Constitution of Maine and the United States Constitution for the exercise of personal jurisdiction. [PL 2003, c. 436, §10 (NEW).] [PL 2015, c. 186, §6 (AMD).]

2. Use of bases to establish personal jurisdiction. The bases of personal jurisdiction set forth in subsection 1 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 section 3253 are met or, in the case of a foreign support order, unless the requirements of section 3261 are met. [PL 2009, c. 95, §25 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3254 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3254
19-A §3254. Recognition of order modified in another state
Status: in_force

If a child support order issued by a tribunal of this State is modified by a tribunal of another state that assumed jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, a tribunal of this State: [PL 2015, c. 186, §8 (AMD).]

1. Enforce amounts accruing before modification. May enforce the order that was modified only as to arrears and interest accruing before the modification; [PL 2003, c. 436, §44 (AMD).]

2. Enforce nonmodifiable aspects. [PL 2003, c. 436, §44 (RP).]

3. Relief for violations before modification. May provide appropriate relief for violations of its order that occurred before the effective date of the modification; and [PL 2003, c. 436, §44 (AMD).]

4. Recognize modifying order. Shall recognize the modifying order of the other state, upon registration, for the purpose of enforcement. [PL 2003, c. 436, §44 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3010-A — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3010-A
19-A §3010-A. Duties of the department as the state information agency
Status: in_force

1. State information agency. The department is the state information agency. [PL 2009, c. 95, §44 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

2. Duties. The state information agency shall: A. Compile and maintain a current list, including addresses, of the tribunals in this State that have jurisdiction under this chapter and the department and transmit a copy to the state information agency of every other state; [PL 2009, c. 95, §44 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] B. Maintain a register of the names and addresses of tribunals and support enforcement agencies received from other states; [PL 2009, c. 95, §44 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] C. Forward to the appropriate tribunal in the 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 chapter received from another state or a foreign country; and [PL 2009, c. 95, §44 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] D. 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. [PL 2009, c. 95, §44 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] [PL 2009, c. 95, §44 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1863 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1863
19-A §1863. Denial of parentage
Status: in_force

A person presumed to be a parent under section 1881 or an alleged genetic parent may execute a denial of parentage only in the limited circumstances set forth in this section. A denial of parentage is valid only if: [PL 2021, c. 141, §6 (AMD).]

1. Acknowledgment. An acknowledgment of parentage signed or otherwise authenticated is filed pursuant to this subchapter; [PL 2021, c. 141, §7 (AMD).]

2. Under penalty of perjury. The denial is in a record and is signed or otherwise authenticated under penalty of perjury; and [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

3. Person executing. The person executing the denial has not previously: A. Acknowledged parentage, unless the previous acknowledgment has been rescinded pursuant to section 1867 or successfully challenged pursuant to section 1868 ; or [PL 2021, c. 141, §8 (AMD).] B. Been adjudicated to be the parent of the child. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2021, c. 141, §8 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3323 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3323
19-A §3323. Record in original language; English translation
Status: in_force

A record filed with a tribunal of this State under this subchapter must be in the original language and, if not in English, must be accompanied by an English translation. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1505 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 51 / Section 1505
19-A §1505. Extent of duties of support
Status: in_force

An obligor present or resident in this State has the duty of support as defined in this chapter regardless of the presence or residence of the obligee. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2003 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 63 / Section 2003
19-A §2003. Forms
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the Supreme Judicial Court is authorized to prescribe or revise forms by administrative order or rule. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2603 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2603
19-A §2603. Enforcement of orders
Status: in_force

Upon a motion to enforce a judgment of spousal support, support or costs, after notice and an opportunity for hearing, the court may make a finding of money due, render judgment for that amount, and order: [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

1. Execution and levy. Execution and levy as provided under Title 14, chapter 403 ; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Installment payments. Specified installment payments as provided under Title 14, sections 3126‑A to 3136 , without a separate disclosure hearing, if the court has already determined the judgment debtor's ability to pay and the debtor's receipt of money from a source other than a source that is otherwise exempt from trustee process, attachment and execution; [PL 1999, c. 587, §13 (AMD).]

3. Order to employer or payor of earnings. The employer or other payor of earnings to make direct payments, if the court has ordered installment payments under section 2602 or otherwise. This order has absolute priority over all previously filed orders against earnings and assignments of earnings not relating to enforcement of spousal support, child support or costs; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

4. Attachment. Attachment as provided under Title 14, chapter 507 ; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

5. Execution. Execution as provided under Title 14, chapter 509 ; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Other methods. Any other method of enforcement that may be used in a civil action; or [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

7. Security. The judgment debtor to give security, post a bond or give some other guarantee to secure payment of the judgment. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1751 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1751
19-A §1751. Inconvenient forum
Status: in_force

1. Court of this State an inconvenient forum. A court of this State that has jurisdiction under this chapter to make a child custody determination may decline to exercise its jurisdiction at any time if it determines that it is an inconvenient forum under the circumstances and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum. The issue of inconvenient forum may be raised upon motion of a party, the court's own motion or request of another court. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Factors relevant to determining whether inconvenient forum. Before determining whether it is an inconvenient forum, a court of this State shall consider whether it is appropriate for a court of another state to exercise jurisdiction. For this purpose, the court shall allow the parties to submit information and shall consider all relevant factors, including: A. Whether domestic violence has occurred and is likely to continue in the future and which state could best protect the parties and the child; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] B. The length of time the child has resided outside this State; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] C. The distance between the court in this State and the court in the state that would assume jurisdiction; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] D. The relative financial circumstances of the parties; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] E. Any agreement of the parties as to which state should assume jurisdiction; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] F. The nature and location of the evidence required to resolve the pending litigation, including testimony of the child; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] G. The ability of the court of each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present the evidence; and [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] H. The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the pending litigation. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

3. Determination of inconvenient forum. If a court of this State determines that it is an inconvenient forum and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum, it shall stay the proceedings upon condition that a child custody proceeding be promptly commenced in another designated state and may impose any other condition the court considers just and proper. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

4. Divorce or other proceeding. A court of this State may decline to exercise its jurisdiction under this chapter if a child custody determination is incidental to an action for divorce or another proceeding while still retaining jurisdiction over the divorce or other proceeding. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 906 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 29 / Section 906
19-A §906. Certain divorces validated
Status: in_force

1. Writ of attachment. All divorces already granted in this State on libels inserted in a writ of attachment, and otherwise valid except for the want of attachment nominal or otherwise upon the writ, are validated. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Pendency of another claim. All judgments or orders already entered granting a divorce, annulment, disposition of property under section 953 or former Title 19, section 722-A or other disposition, award or division of property incident upon a divorce or annulment, and otherwise final except for the pendency of another claim or counterclaim in the same action, are declared final, nonappealable and effective for all purposes as of the date of entry of the judgment or order. This subsection does not apply to any judgment for divorce, annulment or property disposition in which the appeal period, including any extensions, has commenced but has not expired as of June 30, 1981. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Finalization. In an action for divorce under section 902 , the trial court may, upon motion for entry of final judgment during the pendency of the appeal period, grant a final judgment of annulment or divorce between the parties if the court expressly finds that there is not just cause for delay and entry of judgment will not prejudice the legal or equitable rights of a party during the pendency of an appeal. The filing of a motion under this subsection does not stay an award of child or spousal support or parental rights and responsibilities, except by order of the court under the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2101 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2101
19-A §2101. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

1. Board. "Board" means a bureau, board or commission listed in Title 10, section 8001 or 8001‑A , other licensor that is affiliated with or is a part of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, the Board of Overseers of the Bar or any other state agency or municipality that issues a license authorizing a person to engage in a business, occupation, profession or industry and any state agency, bureau, board, commission or municipality that issues a license or permit to hunt, fish, operate a boat, operate a snowmobile, operate an ATV or engage in any other sporting or recreational activity. [PL 2007, c. 206, §1 (AMD).]

2. Compliance with a support order. "Compliance with a support order" means that the support obligor has obtained or maintained health insurance coverage if required by a support order and is: A. No more than 60 days in arrears in making any of the following payments: (1) Payments in full for current support; (2) Periodic payments on a support arrearage pursuant to a written agreement with the department; and (3) Periodic payments as set forth in a support order; and [PL 2003, c. 396, §7 (NEW).] B. No more than 30 days in arrears in making payments as described in paragraph A if the obligor has been in arrears for more than 30 days in making payments as described in paragraph A at least 2 times within the past 24 months. [PL 2003, c. 396, §7 (NEW).] [PL 2003, c. 396, §7 (RPR).]

3. Custodial parent. "Custodial parent" means a parent, caretaker relative or legal custodian of a dependent child who is the child's primary residential care provider. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. C, §20 (AMD); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

4. Dependent child. "Dependent child" means any minor child who is not emancipated. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

5. Disposable earnings. "Disposable earnings" means that part of the earnings of any individual remaining after the deduction from those earnings of any amount required by law to be withheld. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Earnings. "Earnings" means compensation paid or payable for personal services, whether denominated as wages, salary, commission, bonus or otherwise, and specifically includes periodic payments pursuant to pension or retirement programs, or insurance policies of any type, and all gain derived from capital, from labor or from both combined, including profit gained through sale or conversion of capital assets, and unemployment compensation benefits and workers' compensation benefits. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

7. License. "License" means a license, certification, registration, permit, approval or other similar document evidencing admission to or granting authority to engage in a profession, occupation, business or industry, and a license or permit to hunt, fish, operate a boat, operate a snowmobile, operate an ATV or engage in any other sporting or recreational activity, but does not mean a registration, permit, approval or similar document evidencing the granting of authority to engage in the business of banking pursuant to Title 9‑B . [PL 2007, c. 206, §2 (AMD).]

8. Licensee. "Licensee" means an individual holding a license, certification, registration, permit, approval or other similar document evidencing admission to or granting authority to engage in a profession, occupation, business or industry except an individual holding a registration, permit, approval or similar document evidencing the granting of authority to engage in the business of banking pursuant to Title 9‑B . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

9. Order of support. [PL 1997, c. 466, §6 (RP); PL 1997, c. 466, §28 (AFF).]

9. Support order. [PL 1997, c. 683, Pt. B, §9 (RP).]

10. Order for spousal support; order for support; order for costs; spousal support order. [PL 1997, c. 537, §28 (RP); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

11. Public assistance. "Public assistance" means money payments and medical care furnished to or on behalf of dependent children by the State. It does not include assistance furnished by a political subdivision. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

12. Responsible parent. "Responsible parent" means the parent of a dependent child. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. C, §20 (AMD); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

13. Support order. "Support order" means a judgment, decree or order, whether temporary, final or subject to modification, issued by a court or an administrative agency of competent jurisdiction for the support and maintenance of a child, including a child who has attained the age of majority under the law of the issuing state, or a child and the parent with whom the child is living, that provides for monetary support, health care, arrearages or reimbursement and may include related costs and fees, interest and penalties, income withholding, attorney's fees and other relief. [PL 1997, c. 466, §7 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 466, §28 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3014 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3014
19-A §3014. Limited immunity of petitioner
Status: in_force

1. Personal jurisdiction in another proceeding. Participation by a petitioner in a proceeding under this chapter before a responding tribunal, whether in person, by private attorney or through services provided by the department, does not confer personal jurisdiction over the petitioner in another proceeding. [PL 2003, c. 436, §23 (AMD).]

2. Not amenable to service. For the purpose of participating in a proceeding under this chapter, a petitioner is not amenable to service of civil process while physically present in this State. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Not applicable to unrelated acts. The immunity granted by this section does not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to a proceeding under this chapter committed by a party while present in this State for the purpose of participating in a proceeding under this chapter. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1862 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1862
19-A §1862. Execution of acknowledgment of parentage
Status: in_force

1. Requirements. An acknowledgment of parentage under section 1861 must: A. Be in a record; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] B. Be signed, or otherwise authenticated, under penalty of perjury by the woman who gave birth to the child, other than a gestational carrier, and by the person seeking to establish parentage of the child; [PL 2021, c. 141, §5 (AMD).] C. State that: (1) There is no other presumed parent of the child or, if there is another presumed parent, state that parent's full name; and (2) There is no other acknowledged parent, adjudicated parent or intended parent pursuant to subchapter 7 other than the woman who gave birth to the child; [PL 2021, c. 141, §5 (AMD).] D. State whether there has been genetic testing and, if so, that the acknowledging person's claim of parentage is consistent with the results of the testing; and [PL 2021, c. 141, §5 (AMD).] E. [PL 2021, c. 141, §5 (RP).] F. State that the signatories understand that the acknowledgment is the equivalent of a court determination of parentage of the child and that a challenge to the acknowledgment is permitted only under limited circumstances and is barred after 2 years. [PL 2021, c. 141, §5 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 141, §5 (AMD).]

2. Notice. Before an acknowledgment is executed under section 1861 , the woman who gave birth and the acknowledging parent must be given oral and written notice of the alternatives to, the legal consequences of and the rights and responsibilities that arise from signing the acknowledgment. [PL 2021, c. 141, §5 (AMD).]

3. Acknowledgment voidable. An acknowledgment of parentage under section 1861 is voidable if it: A. States that another person is a presumed parent, unless a denial of parentage signed or otherwise authenticated by the presumed parent is filed with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] B. States that another person is an acknowledged parent, adjudicated parent or intended parent; or [PL 2021, c. 141, §5 (AMD).] C. Falsely denies the existence of a parent with rights of parentage of the child under this chapter. [PL 2021, c. 141, §5 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 141, §5 (AMD).]

4. Presumed parent. [PL 2021, c. 141, §5 (RP).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1932 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1932
19-A §1932. Gestational carrier agreement authorized
Status: in_force

1. Written agreement. A prospective gestational carrier who is eligible pursuant to section 1931 , her spouse if she is married and the intended parent or parents may enter into a written agreement that: A. The prospective gestational carrier agrees to pregnancy by means of assisted reproduction; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] B. The prospective gestational carrier and her spouse, if she is married, have no rights and duties as the parents of a child conceived through assisted reproduction; and [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] C. The intended parent or parents will be the parents of any resulting child. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

2. Intended parents. The intended parent or parents must be parties to a gestational carrier agreement. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

3. Enforceable. A gestational carrier agreement is enforceable only if it meets the following requirements. A. The agreement must be in writing and signed by all parties. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] B. The agreement must require no more than a one-year term to achieve pregnancy. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] C. At least one of the parties must be a legal resident of the State. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] D. The agreement must be executed before the commencement of any medical procedures other than the medical evaluations required by section 1931 and, in every instance, before transfer of embryos. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] E. The gestational carrier and the intended parent or parents must meet the eligibility requirements of section 1931 . [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] F. If any party is married, the party's spouse also must be required to execute the agreement. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] G. The gestational carrier and the intended parent or parents must be represented by independent legal counsel in all matters concerning the agreement and each counsel shall affirmatively so state in a written declaration attached to the agreement. The declarations must state that the agreement meets the requirements of this chapter and must be solely relied upon by health care providers and staff at the time of birth and by the Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics for birth registration and certification purposes. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] H. The gestational carrier and each intended parent must sign a written acknowledgment of having received a copy of the agreement. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] I. The signature of each party to the agreement must be notarized, acknowledged or attested by a person authorized to take oaths in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction where it is executed. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] J. The agreement must expressly provide that: (1) The gestational carrier: (a) Must undergo assisted reproduction and attempt to carry and give birth to any resulting child; (b) Has no claim to parentage of all resulting children to the intended parent or parents immediately upon the birth of the child or children regardless of whether a court order has been issued at the time of birth; and (c) Must acknowledge the exclusive parentage of the intended parent or parents of all resulting children; (2) If the gestational carrier is married, her spouse: (a) Must acknowledge and agree to abide by the obligations imposed on the gestational carrier by the terms of the gestational carrier agreement; (b) Has no claim to parentage of any resulting children to the intended parent or parents immediately upon the birth of the children regardless of whether a court order has been issued at the time of birth; and (c) Must acknowledge the exclusive parentage of the intended parent or parents of all resulting children; (3) The gestational carrier has the right to use the services of a health care provider of her choosing to provide her care during her pregnancy; (4) The intended parent or parents must: (a) Be the exclusive parent or parents and accept parental rights and responsibilities of all resulting children immediately upon birth regardless of the number, gender or mental or physical condition of the child or children; and (b) Assume responsibility for the financial support of all resulting children immediately upon the birth of the children; and (5) All parties must provide records related to the medical evaluations conducted pursuant to section 1931, subsection 2, paragraph A . [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

4. Reasonable expenses. Except as provided in section 1939 , a gestational carrier agreement may provide for payment of reasonable expenses, which, if paid to a prospective gestational carrier, must be negotiated in good faith between the parties. [PL 2015, c. 456, §1 (AMD).]

5. Decision of gestational carrier. A gestational carrier agreement may not limit the right of the gestational carrier to make decisions to safeguard her health. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1901 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1901
19-A §1901. Scope of subchapter
Status: in_force

1. Scope. This subchapter governs procedures and requirements of genetic testing and genetic testing results of an individual to determine parentage and adjudication of parentage based on genetic testing, whether the individual voluntarily submits to testing or is tested pursuant to an order of the court or the department. [PL 2021, c. 610, §4 (NEW).]

2. Genetic testing. Genetic testing may not be used to challenge the parentage of a person who is a parent by operation of law under subchapter 7 or 8 or to establish the parentage of a person who is a donor. [PL 2021, c. 610, §4 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1915 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1915
19-A §1915. Adjudication of parentage based on genetic testing; multiple claims of parentage
Status: in_force

1. Parentage based on genetic testing. If the court adjudicates parentage based on genetic testing, the following apply. A. Unless the results of genetic testing are admitted to rebut other results of genetic testing: (1) If genetic testing results pursuant to section 1904 exclude a person as the genetic parent of a child, the court shall find that person is not a genetic parent of the child and may not adjudicate the person as the child's parent on the basis of genetic testing; and (2) If genetic testing results pursuant to section 1904 identify a person as the genetic parent of a child, the court may adjudicate the person as the child's parent, unless otherwise provided by this chapter. [PL 2021, c. 610, §10 (AMD).] B. If the court finds that genetic testing under section 1904 neither identifies nor excludes a person as the genetic parent of a child, the court may not dismiss the proceeding. In that event, the results of genetic testing and other evidence are admissible to adjudicate the issue of parentage. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2021, c. 610, §10 (AMD).]

1-A. Adjudication of multiple claims of parentage. In a proceeding to adjudicate parentage based on a claim of, or challenge by, a genetic parent who is not a donor or involving a genetic parent who is not a donor that also involves a challenge to an acknowledged parent under subchapter 3 or a presumed parent under subchapter 4 , the court shall adjudicate parentage based on the factors set forth in section 1912, subsection 2 . [PL 2021, c. 610, §11 (NEW).]

2. Inadmissible evidence. Testimony relating to sexual relations or possible sexual relations of the woman giving birth at a time other than the probable time of conception of the child is inadmissible in evidence. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

3. Adjudication consistent with this chapter. An adjudication of parentage based on genetic testing is subject to the requirements and limitations of this chapter. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2109 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2109
19-A §2109. Limitations on collection of child support
Status: in_force

A person other than an employee of the department who enters into an agreement with another to collect child support is subject to the following limitations. [PL 2003, c. 562, §1 (NEW).]

1. Fee limitation. In a contingent-fee contract for the collection of child support, the fee may be based only upon the amount of unpaid past child support arrearage calculated as of the date when the contract is signed. A fee may not be based on current or future child support payments and may be assessed only on funds actually received by the child support obligee. [PL 2003, c. 562, §1 (NEW).]

2. Collection practices limitations. Each person who enters into an agreement with another to collect child support is subject to the provisions of Title 32, chapter 109-A if either the support obligee or the support obligor is a resident of this State. [PL 2003, c. 562, §1 (NEW).]

3. Requirement for written contract. Each agreement between a person who collects or offers to collect child support and a child support obligee must be in writing, dated and signed by the support obligee. The contract must contain a full and detailed description of the services to be performed for the support obligee and the terms and conditions of payment. The contract may not contain a penalty for termination at any time by the support obligee. [PL 2003, c. 562, §1 (NEW).]

4. Basis of compensation. A collector of child support obligations may not impose a charge or fee for any child support payments collected primarily through the efforts of a governmental agency. [PL 2003, c. 562, §1 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1501 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 51 / Section 1501
19-A §1501. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Part, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

1. Allocated parental rights and responsibilities. "Allocated parental rights and responsibilities" means that responsibilities for the various aspects of a child's welfare are divided between the parents, with the parent allocated a particular responsibility having the right to control that aspect of the child's welfare. Responsibilities may be divided exclusively or proportionately. Aspects of a child's welfare for which responsibility may be divided include primary physical residence, parent-child contact, support, education, medical and dental care, religious upbringing, travel boundaries and expenses and any other aspect of parental rights and responsibilities. A parent allocated responsibility for a certain aspect of a child's welfare may be required to inform the other parent of major changes in that aspect. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Child support. "Child support" means money paid directly to a parent, to another person or agency awarded parental rights and responsibilities with respect to a child or to the department on behalf of a child receiving public assistance and medical or dental insurance coverage provided on behalf of a child pursuant to court order. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Domestic abuse. "Domestic abuse" means abuse as defined in section 4102, subsection 1 . [PL 2023, c. 646, Pt. C, §4 (AMD).]

4. Reasonable cost health insurance. [PL 2009, c. 290, §1 (RP).]

4-A. Medical support. "Medical support" means an amount ordered to be paid toward the cost of health insurance provided by a public entity or by another parent through employment or otherwise or for other medical costs not covered by insurance. [PL 2009, c. 290, §2 (NEW).]

4-B. Private health insurance. "Private health insurance" means fee-for-service, health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization and other types of coverage available to either parent under which medical services could be provided to a child. "Private health insurance" does not include insurance that provides coverage only for accidental injury, specified disease, hospital indemnity, Medicare supplement, disability income, long-term care or other limited benefit health insurance policies and contracts. [PL 2009, c. 290, §3 (NEW).]

4-C. Reasonable cost. "Reasonable cost" means the cost of private health insurance to the parent responsible for providing medical support that does not exceed amounts adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services in a rule implementing a cost-reasonableness standard. "Cost of private health insurance" means the cost of adding the child to existing coverage or the difference between self-only and family coverage, unless that cost is determined to be unjust by a court or the Department of Health and Human Services. [PL 2009, c. 290, §4 (NEW).]

5. Shared parental rights and responsibilities. "Shared parental rights and responsibilities" means that most or all aspects of a child's welfare remain the joint responsibility and right of both parents, so that both parents retain equal parental rights and responsibilities, and both parents confer and make joint decisions regarding the child's welfare. Matters pertaining to the child's welfare include, but are not limited to, education, religious upbringing, medical, dental and mental health care, travel arrangements, child care arrangements and residence. Parents who share parental rights and responsibilities shall keep one another informed of any major changes affecting the child's welfare and shall consult in advance to the extent practicable on decisions related to the child's welfare. [PL 1997, c. 187, §1 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 187, §5 (AFF).]

6. Sole parental rights and responsibilities. "Sole parental rights and responsibilities" means that one parent is granted exclusive parental rights and responsibilities with respect to all aspects of a child's welfare, with the possible exception of the right and responsibility for support. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2367 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2367
19-A §2367. Employee protected
Status: in_force

An employer may not discharge an employee because a support lien or order to withhold and deliver has been served against the employee's earnings. An aggrieved employee may maintain a civil action against an employer for violation of this section. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

An employer who, in contravention of this section, discharges from employment, refuses to employ or takes disciplinary action against a responsible parent because of the existence of a lien, order to withhold and deliver or assignment of earnings and the obligations or additional obligations that it imposes upon the employer is subject to a fine in an amount not to exceed $5,000. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2664 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2664
19-A §2664. Copies
Status: in_force

The clerk of the court shall send to the department a copy of each order in which a child support obligation is established or modified. [PL 2011, c. 528, §10 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1614 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 53 / Section 1614
19-A §1614. Acknowledgment of paternity
Status: in_force

If, prior to the filing in a court, the alleged father executes and delivers to the department an acknowledgment of paternity of the child in accordance with the laws of the state in which the child was born, and if the department does not require the alleged father to participate in blood or tissue-typing tests, the proceeding must be terminated and the department may proceed against the father under chapter 65, subchapter II, article 3 with respect to any remedy provided under that article. [PL 2001, c. 554, §6 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1733 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1733
19-A §1733. Proceedings governed by other law
Status: in_force

This chapter does not govern an adoption proceeding or a proceeding pertaining to the authorization of emergency medical care for a child. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3315 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3315
19-A §3315. Direct request
Status: in_force

1. Establishment or modification of support or determination of parentage. A petitioner may file a direct request seeking the establishment or modification of a support order or determination of parentage of a child. In the proceeding, the law of this State applies. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

2. Recognition and enforcement of support order or agreement. A petitioner may file a direct request seeking recognition and enforcement of a support order or support agreement. In the proceeding, the provisions of sections 3316 to 3323 apply. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

3. Guarantee of payment of costs may not be required; free legal assistance. In a direct request seeking recognition and enforcement of a Convention support order or foreign support agreement: A. A security, bond or deposit is not required to guarantee the payment of costs and expenses; and [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] B. An obligee or obligor who 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 laws of this State under the same circumstances. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

4. No assistance from the department. A petitioner filing a direct request is not entitled to receive assistance from the department. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

5. Application of laws of this State. This subchapter 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. [PL 2009, c. 95, §83 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1746 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1746
19-A §1746. Exclusive, continuing jurisdiction
Status: in_force

1. Exclusive, continuing jurisdiction. Except as otherwise provided in section 1748 , a court of this State that has made a child custody determination consistent with section 1745 or 1747 has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over the determination until: A. A court of this State determines that neither the child, nor the child and one parent, nor the child and a person acting as a parent have a significant connection with this State and that substantial evidence is no longer available in this State concerning the child's care, protection, training and personal relationships; or [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] B. A court of this State or a court of another state determines that the child, the child's parents and any person acting as a parent do not presently reside in this State. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Modification without exclusive, continuing jurisdiction. A court of this State that has made a child custody determination and does not have exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under this section may modify that determination only if it has jurisdiction to make an initial determination under section 1745 . [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3153 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3153
19-A §3153. Choice of law
Status: in_force

1. Current payments, other obligations and arrearages under order. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4 , the law of the issuing state or foreign country governs: A. The nature, extent, amount and duration of current payments under a registered support order; [PL 2003, c. 436, §37 (NEW).] B. The computation and payment of arrearages and accrual of interest on the arrearages under the support order; and [PL 2003, c. 436, §37 (NEW).] C. The existence and satisfaction of other obligations under the support order. [PL 2003, c. 436, §37 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 95, §64 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

2. Proceeding for arrears. 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 for a longer period of time, applies. [PL 2009, c. 95, §64 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

3. Procedures and remedies of this State. 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. [PL 2009, c. 95, §64 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

4. Application of law of state issuing controlling order. After a tribunal of this State or another state determines which order 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. [PL 2009, c. 95, §64 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1769 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1769
19-A §1769. Service of petition and order
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in section 1771 , the petition and order must be served by any method authorized by the law of this State upon the respondent and any person who has physical custody of the child. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2102 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2102
19-A §2102. Enforcement of rights
Status: in_force

The obligee may enforce the right of support against the obligor, and the State or any political subdivision of the State may proceed on behalf of the obligee to enforce that right of support against the obligor. When the State or a political subdivision of the State furnishes support to an obligee, it has the same right as the obligee to whom the support was furnished, for the purpose of securing an award for past support and of obtaining continuing support. An award of attorney's fees may be collected by any means available under the law, including, but not limited to, remedies available under Title 14 and Title 36, section 185-A . [PL 2019, c. 659, Pt. D, §3 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2667 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2667
19-A §2667. Payor immunity
Status: in_force

A payor of income who honors a child support order subject to income withholding, an income withholding order under this subchapter or a notice under section 2655 may not be held liable by the obligor for income withheld in compliance with the order. [PL 2011, c. 528, §11 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1511 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 51 / Section 1511
19-A §1511. At-risk noncitizen children
Status: in_force

In a court action under this Title involving parental rights and responsibilities, a court may adjudicate a motion under Title 22, section 4099‑I, subsection 9 for special findings for at-risk noncitizen children. [PL 2025, c. 347, §3 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3202 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3202
19-A §3202. Procedure to contest validity or enforcement of registered order
Status: in_force

1. Timing and remedies. A nonregistering party seeking to contest the validity or enforcement of a registered support order in this State shall request a hearing within the time required by section 3201 . 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 section 3203 . [PL 2009, c. 95, §69 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

2. Order confirmed if contest not timely. 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. [PL 2009, c. 95, §70 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

3. Notice of hearing to the parties. If a nonregistering party requests a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered support order, the registering tribunal shall schedule the matter for hearing and give notice to the parties by first class mail of the date, time and place of the hearing. [PL 2009, c. 95, §71 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 4111 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 4 / Chapter 103 / Section 4111
19-A §4111. Modifying and extending orders
Status: in_force

1. Extension. The court may extend a final protection order issued under this chapter at the time of expiration, upon motion of the plaintiff, for such additional time as the court determines necessary to protect the plaintiff or minor child from abuse or conduct specified in section 4103 . A final protection order may be extended more than once and without limitation on the duration of the extension. In determining whether extension of a final protection order is necessary, the court may consider: A. The underlying reasons for the order, including earlier abuse and the history of abuse; [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] B. Conduct that has occurred since the entry of the final protection order; [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] C. The continued effect of any abuse on the plaintiff; and [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] D. All other relevant factors pursuant to the discretion of the court. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] The court may continue the final protection order in effect until a hearing under section 4109, subsection 1 on the motion to extend. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]

1-A. Extension after expiration. The court may reinstate and extend a final protection order issued under this chapter after expiration, upon motion of the plaintiff, only if the court finds: A. That the plaintiff has shown good cause for filing the motion to extend a final protection order after expiration of the order, which may include that the filing was not timely due to a dismissal of a prior motion to extend because of an inability to serve the defendant; and [PL 2025, c. 157, §2 (NEW).] B. That the filing under this subsection was made within a reasonable amount of time based upon the underlying circumstances. [PL 2025, c. 157, §2 (NEW).] If the court makes findings for the plaintiff under paragraphs A and B , the court may reinstate the final protection order that has expired until a hearing under section 4109, subsection 1 on the motion to extend and shall apply the standard in subsection 1 to determine whether an extension of the final protection order is necessary to protect the plaintiff or minor child from abuse or conduct specified in section 4103 . [PL 2025, c. 157, §2 (NEW).]

2. Modification of order. Upon motion by either party, for sufficient cause, the court may modify an order issued under this chapter from time to time as circumstances require. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]

3. Action by plaintiff. A plaintiff may extinguish or modify an order issued under this chapter only by legal process in accordance with the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. Any other action or inaction on the part of the plaintiff does not alter, diminish or negate the effectiveness of the order. Criminal sanctions may not be imposed upon the plaintiff for violation of a provision of the plaintiff's order for protection. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]

4. Action by defendant. A defendant may not file a motion to extinguish a final order issued under this chapter. The court may dismiss a motion to extinguish filed by a defendant without a hearing and before opposition is filed. [PL 2025, c. 159, §1 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1903 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1903
19-A §1903. Report of genetic testing
Status: in_force

1. Report; self-authenticating. A report of genetic testing must be in a record and signed under penalty of perjury by a designee of the testing laboratory. A report made under the requirements of this subchapter is self-authenticating. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

2. Documentation. Documentation from the testing laboratory of the following information is sufficient to establish a reliable chain of custody that allows the results of genetic testing to be admissible without testimony: A. The names and photographs of the individuals whose specimens have been taken; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] B. The names of the individuals who collected the specimens; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] C. The places and dates the specimens were collected; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] D. The names of the individuals who received the specimens in the testing laboratory; and [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] E. The dates the specimens were received. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1753 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1753
19-A §1753. Information to be submitted to court
Status: in_force

1. Required information. In a child custody proceeding, each party, in its first pleading or in an attached affidavit, shall give information, if reasonably ascertainable, under oath as to the child's present address or whereabouts, the places where the child has lived during the last 5 years and the names and present addresses of the persons with whom the child has lived during that period. The pleading or affidavit must state whether the party: A. Has participated, as a party or witness or in any other capacity, in any other proceeding concerning the custody of or visitation with the child and, if so, identify the court, the case number and the date of the child custody determination, if any; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] B. Knows of any proceeding that could affect the current proceeding, including proceedings for enforcement and proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights and adoptions and, if so, identify the court, the case number and the nature of the proceeding; and [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] C. Knows the names and addresses of any person not a party to the proceeding who has physical custody of the child or claims rights of legal custody or physical custody of, or visitation with, the child and, if so, the names and addresses of those persons. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Stay until information furnished. If the information required by subsection 1 is not furnished, the court, upon motion of a party or its own motion, may stay the proceeding until the information is furnished. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

3. Additional information. If the declaration as to any of the items described in subsection 1 , paragraphs A to C is in the affirmative, the declarant shall give additional information under oath as required by the court. The court may examine the parties under oath as to details of the information furnished and other matters pertinent to the court's jurisdiction and the disposition of the case. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

4. Continuing duty to inform court. Each party has a continuing duty to inform the court of any proceeding in this or any other state that could affect the current proceeding. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

5. Confidentiality. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a party alleges in an affidavit or a pleading under oath that the health, safety or liberty of a party or child would be jeopardized by disclosure of identifying information, the information must be sealed and may not be disclosed to the other party or the public unless the court orders the disclosure to be made after a hearing in which the court takes into consideration the health, safety or liberty of the party or child and determines that the disclosure is in the interest of justice. [PL 2009, c. 202, §3 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1839 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1839
19-A §1839. Joinder of proceedings
Status: in_force

1. Joinder permitted. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 , a proceeding to adjudicate parentage may be joined with a proceeding for parental rights and responsibilities, child support, child protection, termination of parental rights, child custody or visitation, divorce, annulment, legal separation, guardianship, probate or administration of an estate or other appropriate proceeding or a challenge or rescission of acknowledgment of paternity. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

2. Joinder not permitted. A respondent may not join a proceeding described in subsection 1 with a proceeding to adjudicate parentage brought as part of an interstate child support enforcement action under chapter 67 . [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1739 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1739
19-A §1739. Appearance and limited immunity
Status: in_force

1. Not subject to personal jurisdiction for other purpose. A party to a child custody proceeding, including a modification proceeding, or a petitioner or respondent in a proceeding to enforce or register a child custody determination is not subject to personal jurisdiction in this State for another proceeding or purpose solely by reason of having participated or of having been physically present for the purpose of participating in the proceeding. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Not immune from service of process if subject to personal jurisdiction. A person who is subject to personal jurisdiction in this State on a basis other than physical presence is not immune from service of process in this State. A party present in this State who is subject to the jurisdiction of another state is not immune from service of process allowable under the laws of that state. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

3. Immunity does not extend to unrelated acts. The immunity granted by subsection 1 does not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to the participation in a proceeding under this chapter committed by an individual while present in this State. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2669 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2669
19-A §2669. Rulemaking
Status: in_force

The department shall adopt rules to implement its responsibilities under this subchapter. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1763 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1763
19-A §1763. Duty to enforce
Status: in_force

1. Recognition and enforcement of determination of another state. A court of this State shall recognize and enforce a child custody determination of a court of another state if the latter court exercised jurisdiction in substantial conformity with this chapter or the determination was made under factual circumstances meeting the jurisdictional standards of this chapter and the determination has not been modified in accordance with this chapter. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Remedies. A court of this State may utilize any remedy available under other law of this State to enforce a child custody determination made by a court of another state. The remedies provided in this subchapter are cumulative and do not affect the availability of other remedies to enforce a child custody determination. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2453 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2453
19-A §2453. Judicial review
Status: in_force

A person who is aggrieved by a final action of the commissioner under this article may file an action under the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 80C seeking review of that action. Administrative remedies must be exhausted prior to such review. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1777 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1777
19-A §1777. Costs and expenses
Status: in_force

If the respondent is not the prevailing party, the court may assess against the respondent all direct expenses and costs incurred by the prosecutor and law enforcement officers under section 1775 or 1776 . [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3351 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3351
19-A §3351. Grounds for rendition
Status: in_force

1. Governor. For purposes of this chapter, "governor" includes an individual performing the functions of governor or the executive authority of a state covered by this chapter. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Powers of Governor. The Governor may: A. 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 [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. Upon 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. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Application of provision for extradition. A provision for extradition of individuals not inconsistent with this chapter applies to the demand described in subsection 2 even if the individual whose surrender is demanded was not in the demanding state when the crime was allegedly committed and has not fled from that state. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2006 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 63 / Section 2006
19-A §2006. Support guidelines
Status: in_force

1. Determination of basic support entitlement. After the court or hearing officer determines the annual gross income of both parties, the 2 incomes must be added together to provide a combined annual gross income and applied to the child support table to determine the basic support entitlement for each child. The court or hearing officer shall refer to the table and locate the figure in the left-hand column that is closest to the parents' combined annual gross income. The court or hearing officer shall determine the dollar figure for the total number of children for whom support is being determined and multiply the dollar figure by the number of children . The resulting dollar amount represents the basic support entitlement. [PL 2017, c. 30, §4 (AMD).]

2. Past support. This chapter applies to an award of past support. Past support is calculated by applying the current support guidelines to the period for which past support is owed. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Total basic support obligation. The total basic support obligation is determined by adding the child care costs, health insurance premiums and extraordinary medical expenses to the basic support entitlement as follows. A. When each child is under the age of 12 years, the sums actually being expended for child care costs must be added to the basic support entitlement to determine the total basic support obligation. [PL 2003, c. 415, §7 (AMD).] B. If a child is incurring extraordinary medical expenses, the future incidence of which is determinable because of the permanent, chronic or recurring nature of the illness or disorder, the sums actually being expended for the medical expenses must be added to the basic support entitlement to determine the total basic support obligation. [PL 2003, c. 415, §7 (AMD).] C. If private health insurance for the child is available at reasonable cost, the cost of private health insurance must be added to the basic support entitlement to determine the total basic support obligation. For the purposes of this paragraph, "the cost of private health insurance" is the cost of adding the child to existing coverage or the difference between self-only and family coverage. [PL 2009, c. 290, §11 (AMD).] [PL 2009, c. 290, §11 (AMD).]

4. Computation of parental support obligation. The total basic support obligation must be divided between the parties in proportion to their respective gross incomes. The court or hearing officer shall order the party not providing primary residential care to pay, in money, that party's share of the total basic support obligation to the party providing primary residential care. The primary residential care provider is presumed to spend the primary care provider's share directly on each child. If the court or hearing officer determines that the parties provide substantially equal care for a child for whom support is sought, presumptive support must be calculated in accordance with subsection 5, paragraph D-1 . Both parents are responsible for child support if a caretaker relative provides primary residential care for the child. The caretaker relative's income may not be considered in determining the parents' child support obligation. [PL 2005, c. 352, §3 (AMD).]

5. Special circumstances. The court or hearing officer shall consider the following special circumstances in determining child support. A. When the parent who is not the primary care provider is legally obligated to support a child in that party's household other than the child for whom a support order is being sought, an adjustment must be made to that party's parental support obligation. The adjustment is made by using the nonprimary residential care provider's annual gross income to compute a theoretical support obligation under the support guidelines for each child in that household. Neither the child support received by nor the financial contributions of the other parent of each child in the household are considered in the theoretical support calculation. The obligation is then subtracted from the annual gross income, and the adjusted income is the amount used to calculate support. The adjustment is used in all appropriate cases. [PL 2015, c. 186, §3 (AMD).] B. When the parties' combined annual gross income exceeds $400,000, the child support table is not applicable, except that the basic weekly child support entitlement of a child is presumed to be not less than that set forth in the table for a combined annual gross income of $400,000. [PL 2009, c. 290, §12 (AMD).] C. The subsistence needs of the nonprimary care provider must be taken into account when establishing the parental support obligation. If the annual gross income of the nonprimary care provider is less than the federal poverty guideline, the nonprimary care provider's weekly parental support obligation may not exceed 10% of the nonprimary care provider's weekly gross income, regardless of the amount of the parties' combined annual gross income. The child support table includes a self-support reserve for obligors earning $22,800 or less per year. If, within an age category, the nonprimary care provider's annual gross income, without adjustments, is in the self-support reserve for the total number of children for whom support is being determined, the amount listed in the self-support reserve multiplied by the number of children in the age category is the nonprimary care provider's support obligation for the children in that age category, regardless of the parties' combined annual gross income. The nonprimary care provider's proportional share of childcare, health insurance premiums and extraordinary medical expenses are added to this basic support obligation. This paragraph does not apply if its application would result in a greater support obligation than a support obligation determined without application of this paragraph. [PL 2011, c. 34, §2 (AMD).] D. When the parties have equal annual gross incomes and provide substantially equal care for each child for whom support is being determined, neither party is required to pay the other a parental support obligation. The parties shall share equally the child care costs, health insurance premiums and uninsured medical expenses. [PL 2003, c. 415, §9 (AMD).] D-1. When the parties do not have equal annual gross incomes but provide substantially equal care for each child for whom support is being determined, the presumptive parental support obligation must be determined as follows. (1) The enhanced support entitlement for each child must be determined. (2) Using the enhanced support entitlement, a parental support obligation for each child must be determined by dividing the total enhanced support obligation between the parties in proportion to their respective gross incomes. (3) The party with the higher annual gross income has a presumptive obligation to pay the other party the lower of: (a) The difference between their parental support obligations as calculated in subparagraph (2) ; and (b) The presumptive parental support obligation determined for the payor party using the basic support entitlement under the support guidelines as though the other party provided primary residential care of the child. (4) The parties shall share the child care costs, health insurance premiums and uninsured medical expenses in proportion to their incomes. [PL 2003, c. 415, §10 (NEW).] E. When each party is the primary residential care provider for at least one of the children involved, a child support obligation must first be computed separately for each party for each child residing primarily with the other party, based on a calculation pursuant to the support guidelines, and using as input in each calculation the number of children in each household, rather than the total number of children. The amounts determined in this manner represent the theoretical support obligation due each party for support of each child for whom the party has primary residential responsibility. Each party's proportionate share of child care costs and health insurance premiums is added to the amounts calculated, and the party owing the greater amount of child support shall pay the difference between the 2 amounts as a parental support obligation. [PL 2001, c. 264, §4 (AMD).] [PL 2015, c. 186, §3 (AMD).]

6. Prospective child support award. [PL 2017, c. 30, §5 (RP).]

7. Incorporated findings. As part of its current child support order, the court or hearing officer shall make the following findings: A. The names and dates of birth of each child for whom support is being sought; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. The annual gross income of each party and the combined annual income of both parties; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. The amount of the basic weekly support entitlement attributable to each child as indicated per child per week on the child support table; [PL 2017, c. 30, §6 (AMD).] D. [PL 2017, c. 30, §7 (RP).] E. The name and date of birth of each child for whom work-related day care expenses are paid and the amount of those expenses; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] F. The name and date of birth of each child for whom extraordinary medical expenses are paid and the amount of those expenses; [PL 2001, c. 264, §5 (AMD).] G. The parental support obligation of the party ordered to pay child support; and [PL 2003, c. 415, §11 (AMD).] H. The name and date of birth of each child for whom health insurance premiums are paid and the amount of those premiums. [PL 2001, c. 264, §6 (NEW).] These findings are made by incorporating the completed child support worksheet into the order for current support. [PL 2017, c. 30, §§6, 7 (AMD).]

8. Requirements of support provisions. To assist in a formal review proceeding, and to enable the parties to reduce the incidence of formal modification procedures, an order establishing parental support obligation must include: A. The name of each child; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. A beginning date for the parental support obligation; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. A breakdown of the parental support obligation, including: (1) The amount for basic support entitlements and the amount for enhanced support entitlements, if applicable; (2) The amount for child care costs; (3) The amount for extraordinary medical expenses; (4) The percentage of the total child care costs and extraordinary medical expenses included in the parental support obligation, if applicable; and (5) The amount for health insurance premiums; [PL 2003, c. 415, §12 (AMD).] D. [PL 2017, c. 30, §8 (RP).] E. If a parental support obligation is being established for more than one child and a child has attained 15 years of age, a specific sum to be paid depending on the number of minor children remaining with the primary care provider. Because the support guidelines are based on the actual costs of raising a given number of children in a household, the order must provide a specific dollar amount for every combination of minor children. Except as provided in paragraph G , the court or hearing officer may not apportion support between the parents by determining the parental support obligation amount and dividing by the total number of children; [PL 2017, c. 30, §9 (AMD).] F. If the court or hearing officer ultimately determines that the order for current support is to be set under section 2007 , the written findings of the court or hearing officer in support of the deviation; [PL 2009, c. 290, §14 (AMD).] G. With regard to any initial or modified child support order that affects more than one child and that was entered before January 18, 2005, unless that order states the manner in which the order must be modified upon the events listed in subparagraphs (1) to (4), that the order be automatically modified pursuant to this paragraph to address any of the following events: (1) Any child reaches 18 years of age and has graduated from secondary school; (2) Any child reaches 19 years of age without having graduated from secondary school; (3) Any child obtains an order of emancipation; or (4) Any child dies. As of the date of an event listed in subparagraphs (1) to (4), the total child support amount stated in the order must be decreased by the child support amount assigned to that child in the worksheets accompanying the child support order or as set forth in the order; and [PL 2009, c. 290, §15 (AMD).] H. A requirement that private health insurance must be provided for the benefit of the child, if private health insurance for the child is available at reasonable cost. If private health insurance for the child is not available at reasonable cost at the time of the hearing, a requirement that private health insurance for the child must be provided effective immediately upon being available at reasonable cost. [PL 2009, c. 290, §16 (NEW).] [PL 2017, c. 30, §§8, 9 (AMD).]

9. Notice of right to review. A judicial order or administrative order issued or modified in this State that includes an order for child support must include a statement that advises parents of the right to request the issuing authority to review and, if appropriate, modify the child support order according to the State's child support guidelines. [PL 1997, c. 537, §22 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

10. Disclosure and recording of social security numbers. A person who is a party to an action to establish or modify a support order shall disclose that person's social security number to the court or the department, whichever conducts the proceeding. The social security number of a person who is subject to a support order must be placed in the records relating to the support order. The record of a person's social security number is confidential and is not open to the public. The court shall disclose a person's social security number to the department for child support enforcement purposes. [PL 1997, c. 537, §23 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

11. Child between 18 and 19 years of age attending secondary school. The child support table and the support guidelines include a child between 18 and 19 years of age who is attending a secondary school for whom an obligation of support is established or deemed to remain in force pursuant to section 1653, subsection 8, paragraph B ; section 1653, subsection 12, paragraph A ; or section 2306, subsection 4, paragraph D . [PL 2017, c. 30, §10 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1767 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1767
19-A §1767. Simultaneous proceedings
Status: in_force

If a proceeding for enforcement under this subchapter is commenced in a court of this State and the court determines that a proceeding to modify the determination is pending in a court of another state having jurisdiction to modify the determination under subchapter II , the enforcing court shall immediately communicate with the modifying court. The proceeding for enforcement continues unless the enforcing court, after consultation with the modifying court, stays or dismisses the proceeding. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 650-B — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 23 / Section 650-B
19-A §650-B. Recognition of marriage licensed and certified in another jurisdiction
Status: in_force

A marriage of a same-sex couple that is validly licensed and certified in another jurisdiction is recognized for all purposes under the laws of this State. [IB 2011, c. 1, §2 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2108 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2108
19-A §2108. State child support enforcement services (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 19-A, SECTION 2105)
Status: in_force

(REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 19-A, SECTION 2105)

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon written authorization by the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the judicial branch and the department shall provide child support enforcement services in accordance with the United States Social Security Act, Title IV-D, without need of an application for services. When a person is seeking or has been awarded child support, the court shall provide written notice to that person that explains the services provided by the State and the right to refuse services if services are not wanted. [RR 1997, c. 1, §16 (RAL).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2401 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2401
19-A §2401. Distribution of proceeds
Status: in_force

1. Pro rata distribution when insufficient funds received. The following provisions apply when a responsible parent is under orders of support for more than one family of children and at least one family of children is either a recipient of public assistance or a beneficiary under section 2103 . For purposes of this subsection, a "family of children" consists of all blood-related and adopted children of the responsible parent that reside apart from any other children that the responsible parent is under a court or administrative order to support. A. If the department fails to receive sufficient funds to meet the responsible parent's current support obligation to all of the children of all of the families, the department shall distribute pro rata the funds received so that each family of children receives the percentage of the funds received that represents that family's share of current support when calculated from the responsible parent's total current support obligation for all families. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. If the responsible parent makes a designation or otherwise directs a distribution to the families of children, the department shall distribute the funds received as provided in paragraph A if the designation or other direction would result in a distribution not in compliance with paragraph A . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. The department shall distribute the funds received as provided in paragraph A regardless of the source of the collection of the funds. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. The department must be held harmless as to any claim of the responsible parent for its distribution of funds received as provided in paragraph A . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Reduction of debt under section 2301. Any money realized by the department by proceedings under this article reduces the debt of a responsible parent under section 2301 and must be paid to the recipient of assistance for the express benefit of the dependent children to the extent permissible by federal law and regulations. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3003 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3003
19-A §3003. Application of law of this State
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a responding tribunal of this State shall: [PL 2003, c. 436, §12 (AMD).]

1. Procedural and substantive law; powers and remedies. 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 [PL 2003, c. 436, §12 (AMD).]

2. Determine duty and amount of support. Determine the duty of support and the amount payable in accordance with the law and support guidelines of this State. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2969 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 2969
19-A §2969. Credit for payments
Status: in_force

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 or another state or a foreign country. [PL 2009, c. 95, §32 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1652 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 55 / Section 1652
19-A §1652. Spouse's or parent's obligation to support
Status: in_force

1. Petition. If a parent, spouse or child resides in this State, a parent, a spouse, a guardian or a state providing maintenance may petition the District Court or Probate Court to order a nonsupporting parent or spouse to contribute to the support of the nonsupporting person's spouse or child. The petition may be brought in the court in the district or county where the parent, spouse or child resides or in the district or county in which the nonsupporting person may be found. [PL 2001, c. 554, §7 (AMD).]

2. Court action. If the court finds that the nonsupporting person is of sufficient ability or is able to labor and provide for that person's children or spouse, and that the person has willfully and without reasonable cause refused or neglected to so provide, then the court may order the person to contribute to the support of that person's children or spouse in regular amounts that it determines reasonable and just. Child support must be determined or modified in accordance with chapter 63 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Order pending petition. Pending petition, and after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, the court may order a nonsupporting person to pay to the court for the nonsupporting person's spouse or child sufficient money for the prosecution of the petition. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

4. Enforcement. The court may enforce an order as provided in chapter 65 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

5. Appeals. A party aggrieved by an order may appeal in the same manner as provided for appeals from that court in other causes. Continuance of an appeal may not be allowed without consent of the appellant or a showing of legal cause for the continuance to the court to which the order has been appealed. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Order during pending appeal. Pending the determination of an appeal, the order appealed from remains in force and obedience to it may be enforced as if no appeal had been taken. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2110 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2110
19-A §2110. Exempt property of child support obligor
Status: in_force

1. Exempt property. The property of a child support obligor that is exempt pursuant to section 2203, subsection 15 from an order to seize and sell is also exempt from any other enforcement and collection action regarding a support order, except to the extent that it has been fraudulently conveyed by the obligor. [PL 2015, c. 212, §1 (NEW).]

2. Application of law. Title 14, chapter 507, subchapter 2, article 7 exemptions to collection do not apply to enforcement and collection of a support order. [PL 2015, c. 212, §1 (NEW).]