Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-2307 (2026)

• (a) A support enforcement agency of this state, upon request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under parts 20-26 of this chapter.

• (b) A support enforcement agency of this state that is providing services to the petitioner shall:
  • (1) Take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate tribunal of this state, another state, or a foreign country to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent;
  • (2) Request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time, and place for a hearing;
  • (3) Make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant information, including information as to income and property of the parties;
  • (4) Within two (2) days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of notice in a record from an initiating, responding, or registering tribunal, send a copy of the notice to the petitioner;
  • (5) Within two (2) days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of communication in a record from the respondent or the respondent's attorney, send a copy of the communication to the petitioner; and
  • (6) Notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the respondent cannot be obtained.

• (c) A support enforcement agency of this state that requests registration of a child support order in this state for enforcement or for modification shall make reasonable efforts:
  • (1) To ensure that the order to be registered is the controlling order; or
  • (2) If two (2) or more child support orders exist and the identity of the controlling order has not been determined, to ensure that a request for such a determination is made in a tribunal having jurisdiction to do so.

• (d) A support enforcement agency of this state that requests registration and enforcement of a support order, arrears, or judgment stated in a foreign currency shall convert the amounts stated in the foreign currency into the equivalent amounts in dollars under the applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported.

• (e) A support enforcement agency of this state shall issue or request a tribunal of this state to issue a child support order and an income-withholding order that redirect payment of current support, arrears, and interest if requested to do so by a support enforcement agency of another state pursuant to § 36-5-2319.

• (f) Parts 20-29 of this chapter do not create or negate a relationship of attorney and client or other fiduciary relationship between a support enforcement agency or the attorney for the agency and the individual being assisted by the agency.

Acts 2010, ch. 901, § 1.