HI HB897

Amends Chapter 576B, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to update the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act and incorporate requirements of the Hague Convention on International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance.

Expands definitions and procedures to include foreign countries and foreign support orders, allowing Hawaii courts to register, recognize, enforce, and modify support orders issued by foreign tribunals that are parties to the Convention.

Establishes procedures for direct requests and applications for support proceedings involving obligees, obligors, or children residing outside the United States, including recognition and enforcement of foreign support agreements.

Clarifies jurisdiction rules for modification of child support orders from other states and foreign countries, including situations where a foreign tribunal lacks or refuses to exercise modification jurisdiction.

Provides specific grounds for contesting recognition and enforcement of Convention support orders, with different timeframes for domestic versus non-U.S. residents, and applies to all proceedings begun on or after the effective date.