VETOES

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) ADJUDICATE THE ISSUE OF PATERNITY, 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 now be applied or
interpreted to have any affect upon any cause of action arising
before July 1, 1987.

SECTION 3. 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1987.

June 2, 1987
The Honorable R. Clayton Mitchell, Jr.
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. Speaker:

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