Ch. 335                                 LAWS OF MARYLAND

CHAPTER 335

(Senate Bill 249)

AN ACT concerning

Enforcement of Support Orders - Paternity Defense

FOR the purpose of allowing the court, in a proceeding under the
Maryland Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, to
adjudicate the issue of paternity in certain circumstances
or to adjourn a hearing until after the issue of paternity
is adjudicated; and providing for the applicability of this
Act and to adjourn a hearing in certain circumstances until
after the issue of paternity is adjudicate.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Family Law

Section 10-319

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1984 Volume and 1986 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article- Family Law

10-319.

(A)   If the obligee is absent from the responding state and
the obligor presents evidence that constitutes a defense, the
court shall continue the case for further hearing and the
submission of evidence by both parties.

(B)   IF THE OBLIGOR IS ALLEGED TO BE THE FATHER OF THE CHILD
FOR WHOM SUPPORT IS SOUGHT AND THE OBLIGOR ASSERTS AS A DEFENSE
THAT HE IS NOT THE FATHER OF THE CHILD, THE COURT MAY::

(1) (1) ADJUDICATE THE ISSUE OF PATERNITY , IF BOTH
PARTIES ARE PRESENT AT THE HEARING; OR                                   

(2) ADJOURN THE, HEARING UNTIL THE ISSUE OF PATERNITY
IS ADJUDICATED, IF BOTH PARTIES ARE PRESENT AT THE HEARING OR THE
PROOF REQUIRED INDICATES THAT THE PRESENCE OF ANY ABSENT PARTY IS
NOT NECESSARY; OR

(2) ADJOURN THE HEARING UNTIL THE ISSUE OF PATERNITY

IS ADJUDICATED.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
be construed only prospectively and may not be applied or

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