National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws

211 E. Ontario St., Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60611
tel 312-915-0195, fax 312-915-0187

For Immediate Release

UNIFORM LAW GROUP WRAPS UP MEETING
Act on Enforcement of Domestic Violence Protection Orders Approved

August 3, 2000- Six new uniform acts dealing with issues ranging from domestic violence orders to arbitration were among those approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) at its 2000 Annual Meeting in St. Augustine, Florida, July 28th through August 4th.

Among the acts the commissioners approved is the Uniform Interstate Enforcement of Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act. This act establishes uniform procedures that will enable courts to recognize and enforce valid domestic protection orders issued in other jurisdictions. Uniformity will enable courts around the country to treat such cases consistently, thereby better serving the needs of victims of domestic violence.

A new act designed to curtail money laundering by making it harder for unscrupulous businesses to run check cashing outlets was also approved. The Uniform Money Services Act facilitates and enhances enforcement of existing money laundering provisions, and provides a framework for dealing with money laundering issues unique to nondepository providers of financial services.

The Uniform Athlete Agents Act has been approved and will govern relations among athlete agents, student athletes and educational institutions. The act will protect the interests of student athletes and academic institutions by regulating the activities of athlete agents.

The Uniform Parentage Act of 1973 established rules for determining parentage of a child. A new revision has been approved which facilitates modern methods of testing for parentage. With the rising incidence of children born to unmarried parents, parentage determinations must be improved for the enforcement of child support.

The Uniform Trust Code, also approved, is the first comprehensive attempt at the national level to codify the law of trusts. A revision to the Uniform Arbitration Act of 1955, adopted in 49 states, was approved and reflects new developments in arbitration law.

The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws is now in its 109th year. The organization comprises more than 300 lawyers, judges, law professors, legislators and other state officials from every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Commissioners are appointed by their states to draft and promote enactment of uniform laws that are designed to solve problems common to all the states.

A uniform act must be considered at two annual meetings by all commissioners before it can be approved. After receiving the NCCUSL seal of approval, a uniform act is officially promulgated for consideration by the states, and legislatures are urged to adopt it. Since its inception, the NCCUSL has been responsible for more than 200 acts, among them such bulwarks of state statutory law as the Uniform Commercial Code, the Uniform Probate Code and the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.