Sec. 11. 19-A MRSA §3001, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

§3001. Proceedings under this chapter

1.__Application of subchapter.__Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, this subchapter applies to all proceedings under this chapter.

1-A.__Initiation of proceedings.__An individual petitioner or a support enforcement agency may initiate a proceeding authorized under this chapter by filing a petition in an initiating tribunal for forwarding to a responding tribunal or by filing a petition or a comparable pleading directly in a tribunal of another state that has or can obtain personal jurisdiction over the respondent.

Sec. 12. 19-A MRSA §§3002 and 3003, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, are amended to read:

§3002. Proceeding by minor parent

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

§3003. Application of law of this State

Except as otherwise provided by in this chapter, a responding tribunal of this State shall:

1. Procedural and substantive law; powers and remedies. Apply the procedural and substantive law, including the rules on choice of law, generally applicable to similar proceedings originating in this State and may exercise all powers and provide all remedies available in those proceedings; and

2. Determine 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.

Sec. 13. 19-A MRSA §3004, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is repealed.

Sec. 14. 19-A MRSA §3004-A is enacted to read: