AT-9706, Distribution of Federally approved standard interstate child support enforcement (CSE) forms.

Action Transmittal OCSE-AT-97-06

DATE: May 2, 1997

TO: STATE AGENCIES ADMINISTERING CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT PLANS UNDER TITLE IV-D OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT AND OTHER INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS

SUBJECT: Distribution of Federally approved standard interstate child support enforcement (CSE) forms.

ATTACHMENTS:Attached is a copy of the Federally approved standard interstate CSE forms packet, revised to be consistent with the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). This packet is comprised of the: UIFSA Forms Matrix; Glossary of Terms; Child Support Enforcement Transmittal #1 - Initial Request; Child Support Enforcement Transmittal #2 - Subsequent Actions; Child Support Enforcement Transmittal #3 - Request for Assistance/Discovery; Uniform Support Petition; General Testimony; Affidavit in Support of Establishing Paternity; Locate Data Sheet; Notice of Determination of Controlling Order; Registration Statement. The attachments include instructions for each form. Although these forms are being distributed via hard copy, each Regional Office and IV-D Director is receiving electronic files (WordPerfect 5.1 formats) of this packet.

STATUTORY REFERENCE: 42 U.S.C. 666(f) requires all States to enact UIFSA by January 1, 1998. The UIFSA Model Act at section 331(b) requires the use of Federally approved forms in interstate CSE proceedings.

BACKGROUND: In 1992 UIFSA was drafted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) and approved by the American Bar Association on February 9, 1993. States began enacting UIFSA in 1993. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, revised the Social Security Act to require all States to enact UIFSA "as approved by the American Bar Association on February 9, 1993, together with any amendments officially adopted before January 1, 1998 by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws". In July of 1996 NCCUSL revised UIFSA.

Presently, UIFSA has replaced the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act (URESA) in the majority of States. UIFSA, at section 311(b) requires the use of the Federally approved interstate CSE forms. Beginning in 1994, OCSE began working with our State partners to revise the URESA forms and develop new standard interstate CSE forms which were compatible with UIFSA. Beginning in January of 1996, many States participated in a pilot test of the revised standard (UIFSA) forms. As a result of this pilot test, final revisions were made to these forms. The Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the revised standard interstate CSE forms on April 29, 1997. All States, including those which have yet to enact UIFSA, are required to begin using the new standard interstate CSE forms attached to this Action Transmittal.

The UIFSA Forms Matrix, Glossary of Terms, and form instructions contain detailed explanations regarding the intended and appropriate use of each form. OCSE expects all CSE practitioners to use the standard interstate CSE forms in a manner consistent with the directives contained within these documents.

The UIFSA Forms Automation subcommittee is currently pursuing the development of a generic printing capability for automating the printing of the UIFSA forms on the States' automated child support systems. The forms automation sub-committee is in the process of conducting a needs assessment with the States. Upon completion of the assessment, with contract support, the subcommittee intends to develop some form of technical assistance for the States. Though the form of additional technical assistance is as yet undefined, options include developing a reference design for the printing of the forms, and development of word processing macros that can be linked with data from State child support systems. OCSE hopes to complete this effort and make the technical assistance available within the next six months.

In addition, ACF is in the midst of developing a new version of the CSENet software that will incorporate new CSENet data elements, transactions and reason codes related to UIFSA forms, Federal Case Registry and other suggested improvements by users.

INQUIRIES: Steve Cesar, Federal OCSE (Interstate Policy); ACF Regional Administrators

Anne Donovan
Acting Deputy Director
Office of Child Support Enforcement

ATTACHMENTS

UIFSA Forms Matrix
Glossary of Terms
Download Forms