Subsection (c) does not extend immunity to civil litigation unrelated to the support proceeding which stems from contemporaneous acts committed by a party while present in the State for the support litigation. For example, a petitioner involved in an automobile accident or a contract dispute over the cost of lodging while present in the State does not have immunity from a civil suit on those issues.

Sec. 24. 19-A MRSA §3016, sub-§§1, 2, 5 and 6, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, are amended to read:

1. Physical presence not required. The physical presence of the petitioner a nonresident party who is an individual in a responding tribunal of this State is not required for the establishment, enforcement or modification of a support order or the rendition of a judgment determining parentage.

2. Admissible evidence. A verified petition, an An affidavit, a document substantially complying with federally mandated forms and or a document incorporated by reference in any of them, that would not be excluded under the hearsay rule if given in person, are is admissible in evidence if given under oath penalty of perjury by a party or witness residing in another state.

5. No objection based on means of transmission. Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a tribunal of this State by telephone, telecopier or other means that does not provide an original writing record may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.

6. Testimony not in person. In a proceeding under this chapter, a tribunal of this State may shall permit a party or witness residing in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual means or other electronic means at a designated tribunal or other location in that state. A tribunal of this State shall cooperate with tribunals of other states in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.

Sec. 25. 19-A MRSA §3016, sub-§10 is enacted to read:

10.__Voluntary acknowledgment admissible.__A voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, certified as a true copy, is admissible to establish parentage of the child.