[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 4, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31895]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Notice Designating State Title IV-D Child Support Agencies as 
``Public Bodies''

AGENCY: Office of Child Support Enforcement, Administration for 
Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice designates state IV-D child support agencies as 
public bodies authorized to perform specific functions of the Central 
Authority under Article 6(3) of the the Hague Convention of 23 November 
2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of 
Family Maintenance (Convention).and specifies functions to be performed 
by the state agencies in relation to applications under the Convention.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may submit written comments on this 
notice to the United States Central Authority for International Child 
Support, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child 
Support Enforcement, 330 C Street SW., 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20201. 
Comments received will be available for public inspection at this 
address from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

DATES: The Convention will enter into force for the United States on 
January 1, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  The Division of Policy and Training, 
Office of Child Support Enforcement, Administration for Children and 
Families, 330 C Street SW., 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20201.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The President signed the Instrument of 
Ratification on August 30, 2016, and the United States of America 
deposited its Instrument of Ratification of the Convention on September 
7, 2016. The Convention will enter into force for the United States on 
January 1, 2017. Section 459A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
659a) and Executive Order 13752, 81 FR 90181 (Dec. 8, 2016) designate 
the Department of Health and Human Services as the Central Authority of 
the United States for purposes of the Convention, and authorize the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services to perform all lawful acts that 
may be necessary and proper in order to execute the functions of the 
Central Authority. Article 6(3) of the Convention authorizes the 
designation of public bodies to perform specific functions under the 
Convention, subject to the supervision of the Central Authority. The 
Executive Order specifically authorizes the designation of the state 
agencies responsible for implementing an approved State Plan under 
title IV-D of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 651 et seq., as public 
bodies authorized to perform specific functions in relation to 
applications under the Convention. All states have enacted the Uniform 
Interstate Family Support Act of 2008 (UIFSA 2008) to enable uniform 
implementation of the Convention in the United States.
    Under authority delegated by the Secretary for administration of 
the title IV-D program, I hereby designate the state title IV-D child 
support agencies as public bodies authorized to perform functions 
related to applications under the Convention in accordance with UIFSA 
2008, title IV-D and title IV-D regulations, and guidance and 
instructions, subject to the supervision of the federal Office of Child 
Support Enforcement. Such functions shall include the provision of 
support enforcement services to applicants under the Convention, 
including: Transmitting and receiving applications under the 
Convention; initiating or facilitating the institution of proceedings 
with respect to applications; establishing paternity and support 
orders; recognizing, modifying, and enforcing such orders; collecting 
and distributing payments under such orders; and providing 
administrative and legal services without cost to applicants.

    Statutory Authority: Section 459(a) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 659(a)

    Dated: December 29, 2016.
Mark H. Greenberg,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
[FR Doc. 2016-31895 Filed 1-3-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4184-42-P