Oregon UCCJEA
Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 109.701 et seq.
109.701. Short title.
ORS 109.701 to 109.834 may be cited as the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction
and Enforcement Act.
109.704. Definitions for ORS 109.701 to 109.834.
As used in ORS 109.701 to 109.834:
(1) "Abandoned" means left without provision for reasonable and
necessary care or supervision.(2) "Child" means an individual who has not
attained 18 years of age.
(3) "Child custody determination" means a judgment or other order
of a court providing for the legal custody, physical custody, parenting time or
visitation with respect to a child. "Child custody determination" includes a
permanent, temporary, initial and modification order. "Child custody
determination" does not include an order relating to child support or other
monetary obligation of an individual.
(4) "Child custody proceeding" means a proceeding in which legal
custody, physical custody, parenting time or visitation with respect to a child
is an issue. "Child custody proceeding" includes a proceeding for divorce,
separation, neglect, abuse, dependency, guardianship, paternity, termination of
parental rights and protection from domestic violence in which the issue may
appear. "Child custody proceeding" does not include a proceeding involving
juvenile delinquency, contractual emancipation or enforcement under ORS 109.774
to 109.827.
(5) "Commencement" means the filing of the first pleading in a
proceeding.
(6) "Court" means an entity authorized under the law of a state
to establish, enforce or modify a child custody determination.
(7) "Home state" means the state in which a child lived with a
parent or a person acting as a parent for at least six consecutive months
immediately before the commencement of a child custody proceeding. In the case
of a child less than six months of age, "home state" means the state in which
the child lived from birth with any of the persons mentioned. Any temporary
absence of any of the mentioned persons is part of the period.
(8) "Initial determination" means the first child custody
determination concerning a particular child.
(9) "Issuing court" means the court that makes a child custody
determination for which enforcement is sought under ORS 109.701 to 109.834.
(10) "Issuing state" means the state in which a child custody
determination is made.
(11) "Modification" means a child custody determination that
changes, replaces, supersedes or is otherwise made after a previous
determination concerning the same child, whether or not it is made by the court
that made the previous determination.
(12) "Person" means an individual, corporation, public
corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability
company, association, joint venture, government or a governmental subdivision,
agency or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity.
(13) "Person acting as a parent" means a person, other than a
parent, who:
(a) Has physical custody of the child or has had physical custody
for a period of six consecutive months, including any temporary absence, within
one year immediately before the commencement of a child custody proceeding; and
(b) Has been awarded legal custody by a court or claims a right
to legal custody under the law of this state.Y(14) "Physical custody" means the
physical care and supervision of a child.
(15) "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.
(16) "Tribe" means an Indian tribe or band, or Alaskan Native
village, that is recognized by federal law or formally acknowledged by a state.
(17) "Warrant" means an order issued by a court authorizing law
enforcement officers to take physical custody of a child.
109.707. Proceedings governed by other law.
ORS 109.701 to 109.834 do not govern a proceeding pertaining to the
authorization of emergency medical care for a child.
109.711. Application to Indian tribes.
(1) A child custody proceeding that pertains to an Indian child as defined in
the Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.), is not subject to ORS
109.701 to 109.834 to the extent that the proceeding is governed by the Indian
Child Welfare Act.
(2) A court of this state shall treat a tribe as if it were a
state of the United States for the purpose of applying ORS 109.701 to 109.771.
(3) A child custody determination made by a tribe under factual
circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of ORS
109.701 to 109.834 must be recognized and enforced under ORS 109.774 to 109.827.
109.714. International application of ORS 109.701 to 109.834.
(1) A court of this state shall treat a foreign country as if it were a state of
the United States for the purpose of applying ORS 109.701 to 109.771.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this
section, a child custody determination made in a foreign country under factual
circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of ORS
109.701 to 109.834 must be recognized and enforced under ORS 109.774 to
109.827.Y(3) A court of this state need not apply ORS 109.701 to 109.834 if the
child custody law of a foreign country violates fundamental principles of human
rights.
109.717. Effect of child custody determination.
A
child custody determination made by a court of this state that has jurisdiction
under ORS 109.701 to 109.834 binds all persons who have been served in
accordance with the laws of this state or notified in accordance with ORS
109.724 or who have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court, and who have
been given an opportunity to be heard. As to those persons, the determination is
conclusive as to all decided issues of law and fact except to the extent the
determination is modified.
109.721. Priority.
If a question of existence or exercise of jurisdiction under ORS 109.701 to
109.834 is raised in a child custody proceeding, the question, upon request of a
party, must be given priority on the calendar and handled expeditiously.
109.724. Notice to persons outside state.
(1) Notice required for the exercise of jurisdiction when a person is outside
this state may be given in a manner prescribed by the law of this state for
service of process or by the law of the state in which the service is made.
Notice must be given in a manner reasonably calculated to give actual notice but
may be by publication if other means are not effective.
(2) Proof of service may be made in the manner prescribed by the
law of this state or by the law of the state in which the service is made. If
service is made by mail, proof of service may be a receipt signed by the
addressee or other evidence of delivery to the addressee.
(3) Notice is not required for the exercise of jurisdiction with
respect to a person who submits to the jurisdiction of the court.
109.727. Appearance and limited immunity.
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) The immunity granted by subsection (1) of this section does
not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to the participation in a
proceeding under ORS 109.701 to 109.834 committed by an individual while present
in this state.
109.731. Communication between courts.
(1) A court of this state may communicate with a court in another state
concerning a proceeding arising under ORS 109.701 to 109.834.
(2) The court may allow the parties to participate in the
communication. If the parties are not able to participate in the communication,
they must be given the opportunity to present facts and legal arguments before a
decision on jurisdiction is made.
(3) Communication between courts on schedules, calendars, court
records and similar matters may occur without informing the parties. A record
need not be made of the communication.
(4) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this
section, a record must be made of a communication under this section. The
parties must be informed promptly of the communication and granted access to the
record.
(5) For the purposes of this section, "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.
109.734. Taking testimony in another state.
(1) 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 Yand may prescribe the manner in which and the terms upon which the
testimony is taken.
(2) 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.
(3) Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a
court of this state by technological means that does not produce an original
writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of
transmission.
109.737. Cooperation between courts; preservation of records.
(1) A court of this state may request the appropriate court of another state to:
(a) Hold an evidentiary hearing;
(b) Order a person to produce or give evidence pursuant to
procedures of that state;
(c) Order that an evaluation be made with respect to the custody
of a child involved in a pending proceeding;
(d) Forward to the court of this state a certified copy of the
transcript of the record of the hearing, the evidence otherwise presented and
any evaluation prepared in compliance with the request; and
(e) Order a party to a child custody proceeding or any person
having physical custody of the child to appear in the proceeding with or without
the child.
(2) Upon request of a court of another state, a court of this
state may hold a hearing or enter an order described in subsection (1) of this
section.
(3) Travel and other necessary and reasonable expenses incurred
under subsections (1) and (2) of this section may be assessed against the
parties according to the law of this state.
(4) A court of this state shall preserve the pleadings, orders,
judgments, records of hearings, evaluations and other pertinent records with
respect to a child custody proceeding for the time required by the retention
schedule adopted under ORS 8.125 (11). The retention schedule shall require
retention at least until the child attains 18 years of age. Upon appropriate
request by a court or law enforcement official of another state, the court shall
forward a certified copy of those records.
109.741. Initial child custody jurisdiction.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in ORS 109.751, 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 six
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;
(b) A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under
subsection (1)(a) of this section, 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 ORS 109.761 or 109.764, and:
(A) 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
(B) Substantial evidence is available in this state concerning
the child's care, protection, training and personal relationships;
(c) All courts having jurisdiction under subsection (1)(a) or (b)
of this section 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 ORS 109.761 or 109.764; or
(d) No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the
criteria specified in subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) of this section.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section is the exclusive
jurisdictional basis for making a child custody determination by a court of this
state.
(3) Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party
or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child custody determination.
109.744. Exclusive, continuing jurisdiction.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in ORS 109.751, a court of this state that has
made a child custody determination consistent with ORS 109.741 or 109.747 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(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.
(2) 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 the court has jurisdiction to make
an initial determination under ORS 109.741.
109.747. Jurisdiction to modify determination.
Except as otherwise provided in ORS 109.751, 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 ORS
109.741 (1)(a) or (b) and:
(1) The court of the other state determines that it no longer has
exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under ORS 109.744 or that a court of this
state would be a more convenient forum under ORS 109.761; or
(2) 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.
109.751. Temporary emergency jurisdiction.
(1) A court of this state has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the child is
present in this state and the child has been abandoned or it is necessary in an
emergency to protect the child because the child, or a sibling or parent of the
child, is subjected to or threatened with mistreatment or abuse.
(2) If there is no previous child custody determination that is
entitled to be enforced under ORS 109.701 to 109.834 and a child custody
proceeding has not been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction
under ORS 109.741 to 109.747, a child custody determination made under this
section remains in effect until an order is obtained from a court of a state
having jurisdiction under ORS 109.741 to 109.747. If a child custody proceeding
has not been or is not commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under
ORS 109.741 to 109.747, a child custody determination made under this section
becomes a final determination if the determination so provides and this state
becomes the home state of the child.
(3) If there is a previous child custody determination that is
entitled to be enforced under ORS 109.701 to 109.834, or a child custody
proceeding has been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under
ORS 109.741 to 109.747, any order issued by a court of this state under this
section must specify in the order a period that the court considers adequate to
allow the person seeking an order to obtain an order from the state having
jurisdiction under ORS 109.741 to 109.747. The order issued in this state
remains in effect until an order is obtained from the other state within the
period specified or the period expires.
(4) A court of this state that has been asked to make a child
custody determination under this section, upon being informed that a child
custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child custody determination has
been made by, a court of a state having jurisdiction under ORS 109.741 to
109.747, shall immediately communicate with the other court. A court of this
state that is exercising jurisdiction under ORS 109.741 to 109.747, upon being
informed that a child custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child
custody determination has been made by, a court of another state under a statute
similar to this section, shall immediately communicate with the court of that
state to resolve the emergency, protect the safety of the parties and the child
and determine a period for the duration of the temporary order.
109.754. Notice; opportunity to be heard; joinder.
(1) Before a child custody determination is made under ORS 109.701 to 109.834,
notice and an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the standards of ORS
109.724 must be given to all persons entitled to notice under the law of this
state as in child custody proceedings between residents of this state, any
parent whose parental rights have not been previously terminated and any person
having physical custody of the child.
(2) ORS 109.701 to 109.834 do not govern the enforceability of a
child custody determination made without notice or an opportunity to be heard.
(3) The obligation to join a party and the right to intervene as
a party in a child custody proceeding under ORS 109.701 to 109.834 are governed
by the law of this state as in child custody proceedings between residents of
this state.
109.757. Simultaneous proceedings.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in ORS 109.751, a court of this state may not
exercise its jurisdiction under ORS 109.741 to 109.771 if, at the time of the
commencement of the proceeding, a proceeding concerning the custody of the child
has been commenced in a court of another state having jurisdiction substantially
in conformity with ORS 109.701 to 109.834, unless the proceeding has been
terminated or is stayed by the court of the other state because a court of this
state is a more convenient forum under ORS 109.761.(2) Except as otherwise
provided in ORS 109.751, a court of this state, before hearing a child custody
proceeding, shall examine the court documents and other information supplied by
the parties under ORS 109.767. If the court determines that a child custody
proceeding has been commenced in a court in another state having jurisdiction
substantially in accordance with ORS 109.701 to 109.834, the court of this state
shall stay its proceeding and communicate with the court of the other state. If
the court of the state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with ORS
109.701 to 109.834 does not determine that the court of this state is a more
appropriate forum, the court of this state shall dismiss the proceeding.
(3) In a proceeding to modify a child custody determination, a
court of this state shall determine whether a proceeding to enforce the
determination has been commenced in another state. If a proceeding to enforce a
child custody determination has been commenced in another state, the court may:
(a) Stay the proceeding for modification pending the entry of an
order of a court of the other state enforcing, staying, denying or dismissing
the proceeding for enforcement;
(b) Enjoin the parties from continuing with the proceeding for
enforcement; or
(c) Proceed with the modification under conditions it considers
appropriate.
109.761. Inconvenient forum.
(1) A court of this state that has jurisdiction under ORS 109.701 to 109.834 to
make a child custody determination may decline to exercise its jurisdiction at
any time if the court 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 the motion of a party, the
court's own motion or the request of another court.
(2) Before determining whether a court of this state is an
inconvenient forum, the court 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;
(b) The length of time the child has resided outside this state;
(c) The distance between the court in this state and the court in
the state that would assume jurisdiction;
(d) The relative financial circumstances of the parties;
(e) Any agreement of the parties as to which state should assume
jurisdiction;(f) The nature and location of the evidence required to resolve the
pending litigation, including testimony of the child;
(g) The ability of the court of each state to decide the issue
expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present the evidence; and
(h) The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and
issues in the pending litigation.
(3) 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.
(4) A court of this state may decline to exercise its
jurisdiction under ORS 109.701 to 109.834 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.
109.764. Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in ORS 109.751 or 419B.100, if a court of this
state has jurisdiction under ORS 109.701 to 109.834 because a person seeking to
invoke its jurisdiction has engaged in unjustifiable conduct to so invoke the
jurisdiction, the court shall decline to exercise its jurisdiction unless:
(a) The parents and all persons acting as parents have acquiesced
in the exercise of jurisdiction;
(b) A court of the state otherwise having jurisdiction under ORS
109.741 to 109.747 determines that this state is a more appropriate forum under
ORS 109.761; or
(c) No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the
criteria specified in ORS 109.741 to 109.747.
(2) If a court of this state declines to exercise its
jurisdiction under subsection (1) of this section, it may fashion an appropriate
remedy to ensure the safety of the child and prevent a repetition of the
unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a child custody
proceeding is commenced in a court having jurisdiction under ORS 109.741 to
109.747.
(3) If a court dismisses a petition or stays a proceeding because
it declines to exercise its jurisdiction under subsection (1) of this section,
it shall assess against the party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction necessary
and reasonable expenses including costs, communication expenses, attorney fees,
investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses and child care
expenses during the course of the proceeding unless the party from whom
necessary and reasonable expenses are sought establishes that the assessment
would be clearly inappropriate. The court may not assess fees, costs or expenses
against this state unless authorized by law other than ORS 109.701 to 109.834.
109.767. Information to be submitted to court.
(1) 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 five 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 parenting time or
visitation with the child and, if so, identify the court, the case number and
the date of the child custody determination, if any;
(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
(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 parenting time or visitation with, the child
and, if so, the names and addresses of those persons.
(2) If the information required by subsection (1) of this section
is not furnished, the court, upon motion of a party or its own motion, may stay
the proceeding until the information is furnished.
(3) If the declaration as to any of the items described in
subsection (1) of this section 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.
(4) 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.
(5) 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. Costs incurred by the court
when special notice procedures are made necessary by the nondisclosure of
identifying information shall be paid by the parties as deemed appropriate by
the court.
109.771. Appearance of parties and child.
(1) In a child custody proceeding in this state, the court may order a party to
the proceeding who is in this state to appear before the court in person with or
without the child. The court may order any person who is in this state and who
has physical custody or control of the child to appear in person with the child.
(2) If a party to a child custody proceeding whose presence is
desired by the court is outside this state, the court may order that a notice
given under ORS 109.724 include a statement directing the party to appear in
person with or without the child and informing the party that failure to appear
may result in a decision adverse to the party.
(3) The court may enter any orders necessary to ensure the safety
of the child and of any person ordered to appear under this section.
(4) If a party to a child custody proceeding who is outside this
state is directed to appear under subsection (2) of this section or desires to
appear personally before the court with or without the child, the court may
require another party to pay reasonable and necessary travel and other expenses
of the party and the child so appearing.
109.774. Definitions for ORS 109.774 to 109.827.
As used in ORS 109.774 to 109.827:
(1) "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.
(2) "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.
109.777. Enforcement under Hague Convention.
Under ORS 109.774 to 109.827, a court of this state may also enforce an Yorder
for the return of the child made under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects
of International Child Abduction as if the order were a child custody
determination.
109.781. Duty to enforce.
(1) 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 ORS 109.701 to 109.834 or the
determination was made under factual circumstances meeting the jurisdictional
standards of ORS 109.701 to 109.834 and the determination has not been modified
in accordance with ORS 109.701 to 109.834.
(2) 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 ORS 109.774 to 109.827 are cumulative
and do not affect the availability of other remedies to enforce a child custody
determination.
109.784. Temporary order for parenting time or visitation.
In a child custody enforcement proceeding authorized by law:
(1) A court of this state that does not have jurisdiction to
modify a child custody determination may issue a temporary order enforcing:
(a) A parenting time or visitation schedule made by a court of
another state; or
(b) The visitation or parenting time provisions of a child
custody determination of another state that permit visitation or parenting time
but do not provide for a specific visitation or parenting time schedule.
(2) If a court of this state makes an order under subsection
(1)(b) of this section, the court shall specify in the order a period that it
considers adequate to allow the petitioner to obtain an order from a court
having jurisdiction under the criteria specified in ORS 109.741 to 109.771. The
order remains in effect until an order is obtained from the other court or the
period expires.
109.787. Registration of child custody determination; notice; hearing.
(1) A child custody determination issued by a court of another state may be
registered in this state, with or without a simultaneous request for
enforcement, by sending to any circuit court in this state:
(a) A letter or other document requesting registration;
(b) Two copies, including one certified copy, of the
determination sought to be registered and a statement under penalty of perjury
that to the best of the knowledge and belief of the person seeking registration
the order has not been modified; and
(c) Except as otherwise provided in ORS 109.767, the name and
address of the person seeking registration and any parent or person acting as a
parent who has been awarded custody, parenting time or visitation in the child
custody determination sought to be registered.
(2) On receipt of the documents required by subsection (1) of
this section, the registering court shall cause the determination to be filed as
a foreign judgment, together with one copy of any accompanying documents and
information, regardless of their form.
(3) The person seeking registration of a child custody
determination shall serve notice upon the persons named under subsection (1)(c)
of this section notifying them of the opportunity to contest the registration in
accordance with this section.
(4) The notice required by subsection (3) of this section must
state that:
(a) A registered determination is enforceable as of the date of
the registration in the same manner as a determination issued by a court of this
state;
(b) A hearing to contest the validity of the registered
determination must be requested within 21 days after service of notice; and
(c) Failure to contest the registration will result in
confirmation of the child custody determination and preclude further contest of
that determination with respect to any matter that could have been asserted.
(5) A person seeking to contest the validity of a registered
order must request a hearing within 21 days after service of the notice. At that
hearing, the court shall confirm the registered order unless the person
contesting registration establishes that:
(a) The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under ORS 109.741
to 109.771;
(b) The child custody determination sought to be registered has
been vacated, stayed or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under
ORS 109.741 to 109.771; or
(c) The person contesting registration was entitled to notice,
but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of ORS 109.724, in the
proceedings before the court that issued the order for which registration is
sought.
(6) If a timely request for a hearing to contest the validity of
the registration is not made, the registration is confirmed as a matter of law
and the person requesting registration and all persons served must be notified
of the confirmation.Y(7) Confirmation of a registered order, whether by
operation of law or after notice and hearing, precludes further contest of the
order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted at the time of
registration.
109.791. Enforcement of registered determination.
(1) A court of this state may grant any relief normally available under the law
of this state to enforce a registered child custody determination made by a
court of another state.
(2) A court of this state shall recognize and enforce, but may
not modify, except in accordance with ORS 109.741 to 109.771, a registered child
custody determination of a court of another state.
109.794. Simultaneous proceedings.
If a proceeding for enforcement under ORS 109.774 to 109.827 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 ORS 109.741 to 109.771, 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.
109.797. Expedited enforcement of child custody determination.
(1) A petition under ORS 109.774 to 109.827 must be verified. Certified copies
of all orders sought to be enforced and of any order confirming registration
must be attached to the petition. A copy of a certified copy of an order may be
attached instead of the original.
(2) A petition for enforcement of a child custody determination
must state:
(a) Whether the court that issued the determination identified
the jurisdictional basis it relied upon in exercising jurisdiction and, if so,
what the basis was;
(b) Whether the determination for which enforcement is sought has
been vacated, stayed or modified by a court whose decision must be enforced
under ORS 109.701 to 109.834 and, if so, must identify the court, the case
number and the nature of the proceeding;
(c) Whether any proceeding has been commenced that could affect
the current proceeding, including proceedings relating to domestic violence,
protective orders, termination of parental rights and adoptions and, if so, must
identify the court, the case number and the nature of the proceeding;
(d) The present physical address of the child and the respondent,
if known;
(e) Whether relief in addition to the immediate physical custody
of the child and attorney fees is sought, including a request for assistance
from law enforcement officials and, if so, the relief sought; and
(f) If the child custody determination has been registered and
confirmed under ORS 109.787, the date and place of registration.
(3) Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall issue an order
directing the respondent to appear in person with or without the child at a
hearing and may enter any order necessary to ensure the safety of the parties
and the child. If the court issues an order, the order shall be served in the
manner the court determines to be appropriate under the circumstances of the
case and may include service by the sheriff. The person requesting the order
shall pay the costs of service. The court shall hold the hearing as soon as
reasonably possible and shall expedite the hearing if it finds an emergency is
present.
(4) An order issued under subsection (3) of this section must
state the time and place of the hearing and advise the respondent that at the
hearing the court will order that the petitioner may take immediate physical
custody of the child and will order the payment of fees, costs and expenses
under ORS 109.811, and may schedule a hearing to determine whether further
relief is appropriate, unless the respondent appears and establishes that:
(a) The child custody determination has not been registered and
confirmed under ORS 109.787 and that:
(A) The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under ORS 109.741
to 109.771;
(B) The child custody determination for which enforcement is
sought has been vacated, stayed or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do
so under ORS 109.741 to 109.771; or
(C) The respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not
given in accordance with the standards of ORS 109.724, in the proceedings before
the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or
(b) The child custody determination for which enforcement is
sought was registered and confirmed under ORS 109.787, but has been vacated,
stayed or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under ORS
109.741 to 109.771.
109.801. Service of petition and order.
Except as otherwise provided in ORS 109.807, the petition and order for
enforcement of a child custody determination must be served by the petitioner,
by any method authorized for service of process within this state, upon the
respondent and any person who has physical custody of the child.
109.804. Immediate physical custody of child allowed; exceptions; spousal
privilege not allowed in certain proceedings.
(1) Unless the court issues a temporary emergency order under ORS 109.751, upon
a finding that a petitioner is entitled to immediate physical custody of the
child under the controlling child custody determination, the court shall order
that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the child unless the
respondent establishes that:
(a) The child custody determination has not been registered and
confirmed under ORS 109.787 and that:
(A) The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under ORS 109.741
to 109.771;
(B) The child custody determination for which enforcement is
sought has been vacated, stayed or modified by a court of a state having
jurisdiction to do so under ORS 109.741 to 109.771; or
(C) The respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not
given in accordance with the standards of ORS 109.724, in the proceedings before
the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or
(b) The child custody determination for which enforcement is
sought was registered and confirmed under ORS 109.787, but has been vacated,
stayed or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under ORS
109.741 to 109.771.
(2) The court shall award the fees, costs and expenses authorized
under ORS 109.811, may grant additional relief, including a request for the
assistance of law enforcement officials, and may set further hearings, if
necessary, to determine whether additional relief is appropriate.
(3) A privilege against disclosure of communications between
spouses and a defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife
or parent and child may not be invoked in a proceeding under ORS 109.774 to
109.827.
109.807. Warrant to take physical custody of child.
(1) Upon the filing of a petition seeking enforcement of a child custody
determination, the petitioner may file a verified application for the issuance
of a warrant to take physical custody of the child if the child is immediately
likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this state.
(2) If the court, upon the testimony of the petitioner or other
witness, is satisfied that there is probable cause to believe that the child is
imminently likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this state,
it may issue a warrant to take physical custody of the child. The petition must
be heard on the next judicial day after the warrant is executed unless that date
is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the first
judicial day possible. The application for the warrant must include the
statements required by ORS 109.797 (2).
(3) A warrant to take physical custody of a child must:
(a) Recite the facts upon which a conclusion of imminent serious
physical harm or removal from the jurisdiction is based;
(b) Direct law enforcement officers to take physical custody of
the child immediately; and
(c) Provide for the placement of the child pending final relief.
(4) The respondent must be served with the petition, warrant and
order immediately after the child is taken into physical custody.
(5) A warrant to take physical custody of a child is enforceable
throughout this state. If the court finds on the basis of the testimony of the
petitioner or other witness that a less intrusive remedy is not effective, it
may authorize law enforcement officers to enter private property to take
physical custody of the child. If required by exigent circumstances of the case,
the court may authorize law enforcement officers to make a forcible entry at any
hour.
(6) The court may impose conditions upon placement of a child to
ensure the appearance of the child and the child's custodian.
109.811. Costs, fees and expenses.
(1) 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 fees, investigative fees, expenses for
witnesses, travel expenses and child care expenses during the course of the
proceedings, unless the party from whom fees or expenses are sought establishes
that the award would be clearly inappropriate. An award may be inappropriate if
the award would cause the parent or child to seek public assistance.
(2) The court may not assess fees, costs or expenses against a
state unless authorized by law other than ORS 109.701 to 109.834.
109.814. Recognition and enforcement.
A
court of this state shall accord full faith and credit to an order issued by
another state and consistent with ORS 109.701 to 109.834 that enforces a child
custody determination by a court of another state unless the order has been
vacated, stayed or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under ORS
109.741 to 109.771.
109.817. Appeals.
An appeal may be taken from a final order in a proceeding under ORS 109.774 to
109.827 in accordance with ORS chapter 19. Unless the court enters a temporary
emergency order under ORS 109.751, the enforcing court may not stay an order
enforcing a child custody determination pending appeal.
109.821. Role of district attorney.
(1) In a case arising under ORS 109.701 to 109.834 or involving the Hague
Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the district
attorney may take any lawful action, including resort to a proceeding under ORS
109.774 to 109.827 or any other available civil proceeding, to locate a child,
obtain the return of a child or enforce a child custody determination if there
is:
(a) An existing child custody determination;
(b) A request to do so from a court in a pending child custody
proceeding;
(c) A reasonable belief that a criminal statute has been
violated; or
(d) A reasonable belief that the child has been wrongfully
removed or retained in violation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of
International Child Abduction.
(2) A district attorney acting under this section acts on behalf
of the state to protect the state's interest in the enforcement of ORS 109.701
to 109.834 and may not represent any party.
109.824. Role of law enforcement officer.
At the request of a district attorney acting under ORS 109.821, a law
enforcement officer may take any lawful action reasonably necessary to locate Ya
child or a party and assist a district attorney with responsibilities under ORS
109.821.
109.827. Costs and expenses of district attorney and law enforcement officers.
If the respondent is not the prevailing party, the court may assess against the
respondent all direct expenses and costs incurred by the district attorney and
law enforcement officers under ORS 109.821 or 109.824.
109.831. Application and construction.
In applying and construing ORS 109.701 to 109.834, consideration must be given
to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter
among states that enact it.
109.834. Severability clause.
If any provision of ORS 109.701 to 109.834 or its application to any person or
circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or
applications of ORS 109.701 to 109.834 that can be given effect without the
invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of ORS 109.701
to 109.834 are severable.

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