{"data":{"id":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-209d-7-701","jurisdiction":"us-ma","citation":"Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209D, § 7-701","heading":"Definitions","body":"Section 7–701. Definitions. In this article:\n(1) ''Application'', a request under the Convention by an obligee or obligor or on behalf of a child, made through a central authority for assistance from another central authority.\n(2) ''Central authority'', the entity designated by the United States or a foreign country described in section 1–102(5)(iv) to perform the functions specified in the Convention.\n(3) ''Convention support order'', a support order of a tribunal of a foreign country described in section 1–102(5)(iv).\n(4) ''Direct request'', a petition filed by an individual in a tribunal of the commonwealth in a proceeding involving an obligee, obligor or child residing outside the United States.\n(5) ''Foreign central authority'', the entity designated by a foreign country described in section 1–102(5)(iv) to perform the functions specified in the Convention.\n(6) ''Foreign support agreement'':\n(A) means an agreement for support in a record that:\n(i) is enforceable as a support order in the country of origin;\n(ii) has been:\n(I) formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument by a foreign tribunal; or\n(II) authenticated by or concluded, registered or filed with a foreign tribunal; and\n(iii) may be reviewed and modified by a foreign tribunal; and\n(B) includes a maintenance arrangement or authentic instrument under the Convention.\n(7) ''United States central authority'', the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.","path":["Part II","Title III","Chapter 209D"],"source_url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleIII/Chapter209D/Section7-701","current_through":"amendments passed before May 31, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-17T05:24:40Z","sha256":"6f9b08b2bb5b7befe8653d892f6c64ed57cb925eeeb439b15135fac6a4366e88","source_id":"us-ma","stale":false,"prev":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-209d-6-616","next":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-209d-7-702"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}