§ 93-25-704. Initiation by the Department of Human Services of support proceeding under Convention

In a support proceeding under this article, the Department of Human Services of this state shall:

1. Transmit and receive applications; and
2. Initiate or facilitate the institution of a proceeding regarding an application in a tribunal of this state.
3. Establishment of a support order if there is no existing order, including, if necessary, determination of parentage of a child;
4. Establishment of a support order if recognition of a foreign support order is refused under Section 93-25-708(b) (2), (4), or (9);
5. Modification of a support order of a tribunal of this state; and
6. Modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.

The following support proceedings are available to an obligee under the Convention:

Recognition or recognition and enforcement of a foreign support order;

Enforcement of a support order issued or recognized in this state;

The following support proceedings are available under the Convention to an obligor against which there is an existing support order:

Recognition of an order suspending or limiting enforcement of an existing support order of a tribunal of this state;

Modification of a support order of a tribunal of this state; and

Modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.

A tribunal of this state may not require security, bond, or deposit, however described, to guarantee the payment of costs and expenses in proceedings under the Convention.