40-5-161. Duties of initiating tribunal. (1) Upon the filing of a petition authorized by this part, an initiating tribunal shall forward three copies of the petition and its accompanying documents:
     (a) to the responding tribunal or appropriate support enforcement agency in the responding state; or
     (b) if the identity of the responding tribunal is unknown, to the state information agency of the responding state, with a request that they be forwarded to the appropriate tribunal and that receipt be acknowledged.
     (2) The department of public health and human services is the initiating tribunal for any action or proceeding that may be brought under Title 40, chapter 5, parts 2, 4, and 6. In all other cases, the district court is the initiating tribunal.
     (3) If a responding state has not enacted the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act or another law or procedure substantially similar to that act, a tribunal of this state may issue a certificate or other documents and make findings required by the law or procedure of the responding state. If the responding state is a foreign jurisdiction, the tribunal may specify the amount of support sought and provide other documents necessary to satisfy the requirements of the responding state.

     History: En. Sec. 14, Ch. 237, L. 1969; R.C.M. 1947, 93-2601-54; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 328, L. 1993; Sec. 40-5-115, MCA 1991; redes. 40-5-161 by Code Commissioner, 1993; amd. Sec. 127, Ch. 546, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 183, Ch. 42, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 30, Ch. 552, L. 1997.