PATERNITY: The required notice to a mother and putative father regarding legal consequences and benefits of establishing paternity may be provided by use of audio or video equipment. The qualifying date is removed for presumption by consent when the father married the mother and his name is listed on the birth certificate. Any person having physical or legal custody of a child may file a paternity action. The application of the Uniform Parentage Act to the Uniform Interstate Parentage Support Act is clarified.

INTERSTATE CASES: The act removes the requirement that the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) respond within five days and use automated administrative enforcement in interstate cases. Cooperation by person receiving assistance from a program funded pursuant to Part A or Part E of the Social Security Act, Title XIX of the Social Security Act or the Food Stamp Act, in cases involving the establishment, enforcement or modification of child support shall be determined by DCSE.

STATE CASE REGISTRY: Parties to a paternity or child support proceeding must file identifying information with the State Case Registry instead of court. Listed address information shall be deemed valid if other diligent efforts to locate a party fail.

USE OF RECORDS: DCSE may use all sources of information and available records to determine the location of any child or parent regarding unlawful taking of a child, child custody or visitation purposes, except in cases involving domestic violence.

CHILD SUPPORT: Retirement benefits of state employees shall be considered income for purposes of child support enforcement. Credit for direct and in kind support to the custodial parent shall be allowed upon affidavit of custodial parent alone. Child support may be redirected to state agency when court places custody of a child with that agency. Any order of the Director of DCSE may be filed in the county where the parent or child resides or the county where the support order was filed. The act removes the prerequisite that a child receive assistance under Parti IV-A of the Social Security Act before a plan for work activity can be ordered.

JOAN GUMMELS