HB 2094.E - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/13/97)

     Encourages the department of social and health services, division of child support, and the Indian tribes within the state's borders to enter into cooperative agreements that will assist the state and tribal governments in carrying out their respective responsibilities.  The legislature recognizes that the state and the tribes each possess resources that are sometimes distinct to that government.

     Declares that cooperative agreements will enable the state and the tribes to better provide child support services to Indian children and to establish and enforce child support obligations, orders, and judgments.

     Recognizes that the preferred method for handling cases where all or some of the parties are enrolled tribal members living on the tribal reservation is to develop an agreement so that appropriate cases are referred to the tribe to be processed in the tribal court.

     Directs the department to actively seek to enter into cooperative agreements with the federally recognized tribes in the state.  By June 30, 1998, and June 30, 1999, the department shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature the progress the department has made in entering into agreements with each tribe.  The report shall contain recommendations for improving the likelihood of reaching successful cooperative agreements.