1997 Minnesota Statutes

     518A.06 Simultaneous proceedings in other states. 

    Subdivision 1.  A court of this state shall not exercise 
 its jurisdiction under sections 518A.01 to 518A.25 if at the 
 time of filing the petition a proceeding concerning the custody 
 of the child was pending in a court of another state exercising 
 jurisdiction substantially in conformity with the provisions of 
 sections 518A.01 to 518A.25, unless the proceeding is stayed by 
 the court of the other state because this state is a more 
 appropriate forum or for other reasons. 

    Subd. 2.  Before hearing the petition in a custody 
 proceeding the court shall examine the pleadings and other 
 information supplied by the parties under section 518A.09 and 
 shall consult the child custody registry established under 
 section 518A.16 concerning the pendency of proceedings with 
 respect to the child in other states.  If the court has reason 
 to believe that proceedings may be pending in another state it 
 shall direct an inquiry to the state court administrator or 
 other appropriate official of the other state. 

    Subd. 3.  If the court is informed during the course of the 
 proceeding that a proceeding concerning the custody of the child 
 was pending in another state before the court assumed 
 jurisdiction, it shall stay the proceeding and communicate with 
 the court in which the other proceeding is pending to ensure 
 that the issue may be litigated in the more appropriate forum 
 and that information be exchanged in accordance with sections 
 518A.19 to 518A.22.  If a court of this state has made a custody 
 decree before being informed of a pending proceeding in a court 
 of another state, it shall immediately inform that court of the 
 fact.  If the court is informed that a proceeding was commenced 
 in another state after it assumed jurisdiction, it shall 
 likewise inform the other court to ensure that the issues may be 
 litigated in the more appropriate forum. 

    HIST: 1977 c 8 s 6