Sec. 42. 19-A MRSA §3254, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:

§3254. Recognition of order modified in another state

A If a child support order issued by a tribunal of this State shall recognize a modification of its earlier child support order is modified by a tribunal of another state that assumed jurisdiction pursuant to a law substantially similar to this chapter and, upon request, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, shall the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, a tribunal of the State:

1. Enforce amounts accruing before modification. Enforce May enforce the order that was modified only as to amounts arrears and interest accruing before the modification;

2. Enforce nonmodifiable aspects. Enforce only nonmodifiable aspects of that order;

3. Relief for violations before modification. Provide other May provide appropriate relief only for violations of that its order that occurred before the effective date of the modification; and

4. Recognize modifying order. Recognize Shall recognize the modifying order of the other state, upon registration, for the purpose of enforcement.

Uniform Comment

(This is Section 612 of the Uniform Act.)

A key aspect of UIFSA is the deference to the controlling child-support order of a sister State demanded from a tribunal of the forum State. This applies not just to the original order, but also to a modified child-support order issued by a second State under the standards established by Section 611, 613, and 615. For the Act to function properly, the original issuing State must recognize and accept the modified order as controlling, and must regard its prior order as prospectively inoperative. Because the UIFSA system is based on an interlocking series of state laws, it is fundamental that a modifying tribunal of one State lacks the authority to direct the original issuing State to release its continuing, exclusive jurisdiction. That result is accomplished