{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-10-354","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Family Law § 10–354","heading":"","body":"(a) In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.\n(b) “Application” means 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(c) “Central authority” means the entity designated by the United States or a foreign country described in § 10–301(f)(4) of this subtitle to perform the functions specified in the Convention.\n(d) “Convention support order” means a support order of a tribunal of a foreign country described in § 10–301(f)(4) of this subtitle.\n(e) “Direct request” means a complaint filed by an individual in a tribunal of this State in a proceeding involving an obligee, obligor, or child residing outside the United States.\n(f) “Foreign central authority” means the entity designated by a foreign country described in § 10–301(f)(4) of this subtitle to perform the functions specified in the Convention.\n(g) “Foreign support agreement”:\n(1) 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:\n1. formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument by a foreign tribunal; or\n2. 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(2) includes a maintenance arrangement or authentic instrument under the Convention.\n(h) “United States central authority” means the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.","path":["Article - Family Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl\u0026section=10-354","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:17Z","sha256":"bba1c9a13e0152de65cc16f58a8e8151a96a93b97a05ebe3741f6288e1a20316","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-10-353.2","next":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-10-355"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}