Arkansas

Family Law

Section 9-2-101 – Name change – Procedure
Section 9-2-102 – Name change – use of new name
Section 9-3-101 – Chapter supplemental
Section 9-3-102 – Voting privileges unaffected
Section 9-3-103 – Jurisdiction of courts
Section 9-3-104 – Administration by Secretary of State
Section 9-3-105 – Rules
Section 9-3-106 – Qualifications to become domiciled
Section 9-3-107 – Sex or marital status not a bar
Section 9-3-108 – [Repealed]
Section 9-3-109 – [Repealed]
Section 9-3-110 – Declaration of intent – Publication of notice – Exceptions
Section 9-3-111 – Petition for domicile
Section 9-3-112 – Public notice of petition and final hearing
Section 9-3-113 – Declarations of applicant
Section 9-3-114 – Hearings upon petitions – Final orders
Section 9-3-115 – Admission within thirty days of general election prohibited
Section 9-3-116 – Admission of surviving spouse and minor children
Section 9-3-117 – Duties of clerks of court
Section 9-3-118 – Clerk’s fees – Deposits for witness expenses
Section 9-3-119 – Cancellation of certificate – Renunciation of residence and domicile
Section 9-3-120 – Certified copies of papers, etc., as evidence
Section 9-4-101 – Title
Section 9-4-102 – Definitions
Section 9-4-103 – Duties of the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission
Section 9-4-104 – Receipt of money
Section 9-4-105 – Disbursement of funds
Section 9-4-106 – Program requirements
Section 9-4-107 – Fiscal requirements
Section 9-4-108 – Training requirements
Section 9-4-109 – Right of entry
Section 9-4-110 – Reports
Section 9-4-111 – Disclosure of information
Section 9-4-112 – Immunity from civil liability
Section 9-5-101 – Title
Section 9-5-102 – Statewide purpose
Section 9-5-103 – Definitions
Section 9-5-104 – Duties of the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission
Section 9-5-105 – Receipt of money
Section 9-5-106 – Disbursement of funds
Section 9-5-107 – Program requirements
Section 9-5-108 – Access to specialized medical examinations and psychological examinations
Section 9-5-109 – Eligibility for contracts
Section 9-5-110 – Interagency memorandum of understanding
Section 9-5-111 – Fiscal requirements
Section 9-5-112 – Right of entry
Section 9-5-113 – Reports
Section 9-5-114 – Admissibility of statements by an alleged child victim
Section 9-5-115 – Immunity from civil liability
Section 9-6-101 – Title
Section 9-6-102 – Definitions
Section 9-6-103 – Establishment – purpose and criteria
Section 9-6-104 – Receipt of money
Section 9-6-105 – Determination of grant awards
Section 9-6-106 – Operational requirements of shelters receiving domestic violence shelter funds
Section 9-6-107 – Fiscal requirements
Section 9-6-108 – Training requirements
Section 9-6-109 – Right of entry
Section 9-6-110 – Reports
Section 9-6-111 – Disclosure of information
Section 9-6-112 – Privileged communications made by victim of domestic violence
Section 9-8-101 – Definitions
Section 9-8-102 – Investigation, study, or supervision involving children – Court order – Fee
Section 9-8-201 – Title – Purpose
Section 9-8-202 – Administration, funding, and limitations
Section 9-8-203 – Promulgation of rules
Section 9-8-204 – Eligibility
Section 9-8-205 – Guardianship subsidy agreement
Section 9-8-206 – Subsidy amount
Section 9-8-207 – Records confidential
Section 9-8-301 – [Repealed]
Section 9-8-302 – [Repealed]
Section 9-8-303 – [Repealed]
Section 9-8-304 – [Repealed]
Section 9-8-305 – [Repealed]
Section 9-8-306 – [Repealed]
Section 9-9-101 – Surrender of custody of minor by hospital or birthing center
Section 9-9-102 – Religious preference – Removal of barriers to inter-ethnic adoption – Preference to relative caregivers for a child in foster care
Section 9-9-103 – Adoption home studies affidavit
Section 9-9-104 – Adoption information collection
Section 9-9-105 – Employee leave for adoption
Section 9-9-201 – Short title
Section 9-9-202 – Definitions
Section 9-9-203 – Who may be adopted
Section 9-9-204 – Who may adopt
Section 9-9-205 – Jurisdiction – Venue – Inconvenient forum – Disclosure of name
Section 9-9-206 – Persons required to consent to adoption – Consideration for relinquishing minor for adoption
Section 9-9-207 – Persons as to whom consent not required
Section 9-9-208 – [Effective Until 90 days after sine die adjournment] How consent is executed
Section 9-9-208 – [Effective 90 days after sine die adjournment] How consent is executed
Section 9-9-209 – [Effective Until 90 days after sine die adjournment] Withdrawal of consent
Section 9-9-209 – [Effective 90 days after sine die adjournment] Withdrawal of consent
Section 9-9-210 – Petition for adoption
Section 9-9-211 – [Effective Until 90 days after sine die adjournment] Report of petitioner’s expenditures
Section 9-9-211 – [Effective 90 days after sine die adjournment] Report of petitioner’s expenditures
Section 9-9-212 – Hearing on petition – Requirements
Section 9-9-213 – Required residence of minor
Section 9-9-214 – Appearance – Continuance – Disposition of petition
Section 9-9-215 – Effect of decree of adoption
Section 9-9-216 – Appeal from and validation of adoption decree
Section 9-9-217 – [Effective Until 90 days after sine die adjourement] Confidentiality of hearings and records
Section 9-9-217 – [Effective 90 days after sine die adjourement] Confidentiality of hearings and records
Section 9-9-218 – Recognition of foreign decrees affecting adoption
Section 9-9-219 – Application for new birth record
Section 9-9-220 – [Effective Until 90 days after sine die adjournment] Relinquishment and termination of parent and child relationship
Section 9-9-220 – [Effective 90 days after sine die adjournment] Relinquishment and termination of parent and child relationship
Section 9-9-221 – Uniformity of interpretation
Section 9-9-222 – Repeal and effective date
Section 9-9-223 – Termination of rights of nonparental relatives
Section 9-9-224 – Child born to unmarried mother
Section 9-9-301 – Adoptions under prior law validated
Section 9-9-302 – [Repealed]
Section 9-9-303 – [Repealed]
Section 9-9-304 – [Repealed]
Section 9-9-401 – Title
Section 9-9-402 – Definitions
Section 9-9-403 – Purpose
Section 9-9-404 – Administration – Funding
Section 9-9-405 – Promulgation of regulations rules
Section 9-9-406 – Records confidential
Section 9-9-407 – Eligibility
Section 9-9-408 – Subsidy agreement required – Commencement of subsidy
Section 9-9-409 – Subsidy amounts
Section 9-9-410 – Subsidy agreements – Duration
Section 9-9-411 – Subsidy agreements – Renewal, termination, or modification
Section 9-9-412 – Appeals
Section 9-9-501 – Definitions
Section 9-9-502 – Penalty
Section 9-9-503 – Registry – Establishment and maintenance
Section 9-9-504 – Registry – Operation
Section 9-9-505 – Compilation of nonidentifying history
Section 9-9-506 – Disclosure of information
Section 9-9-507 – Maintenance of records
Section 9-9-508 – Rules
Section 9-9-601 – The Governor’s Pro Bono Adoption Service Award
Section 9-9-701 – Streamlined adoptions by the Department of Human Services
Section 9-9-702 – Fast-tracked adoption of Garrett’s Law babies
Section 9-9-801 – Definitions
Section 9-9-802 – Birth parent redaction request and contact preference forms
Section 9-9-803 – Access to adoption file
Section 9-9-804 – Immunity
Section 9-10-101 – [Repealed]
Section 9-10-102 – Actions governed by Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure – Limitations periods – Venue – Summons – Transfer between local jurisdictions
Section 9-10-103 – Temporary orders – Administrative orders for paternity testing
Section 9-10-104 – Suit to determine paternity of child born outside of marriage
Section 9-10-105 – Trial by court
Section 9-10-106 – [Repealed]
Section 9-10-107 – [Repealed]
Section 9-10-108 – Paternity test
Section 9-10-109 – Child support following finding of paternity
Section 9-10-110 – Judgment for lying-in expenses – Commitment on failure to pay
Section 9-10-111 – Judgment for child support – Bond
Section 9-10-112 – Income withholding – Delinquent noncustodial parent
Section 9-10-113 – Custody of child born outside of marriage
Section 9-10-114 – Visitation rights of father
Section 9-10-115 – Modification of orders or judgments
Section 9-10-116 – [Repealed]
Section 9-10-117 – [Repealed]
Section 9-10-118 – Superseded
Section 9-10-119 – Revival of judgment
Section 9-10-120 – Effect of acknowledgment of paternity
Section 9-10-121 – Termination of certain parental rights for putative fathers convicted of rape
Section 9-10-201 – Child born to married or unmarried woman – Presumptions – Surrogate mothers
Section 9-10-202 – Supervision by physician – Written agreement
Section 9-11-101 – Marriage a civil contract – Consent of parties
Section 9-11-102 – [Effective Until 90 days after sine die adjourement] Minimum age – Parental consent
Section 9-11-102 – [Effective 90 days after sine die adjourement] Minimum age – parental or guardian consent – definition
Section 9-11-103 – Minimum age – Exception
Section 9-11-104 – Minimum age – Lack of parental consent or misrepresentation of age – Annulment
Section 9-11-105 – Marriage of underage parties voidable
Section 9-11-106 – Incestuous marriages – Penalties for entering into or solemnizing
Section 9-11-107 – Validity of foreign marriages
Section 9-11-108 – Presumption of spouse’s death – Validity of subsequent marriage
Section 9-11-109 – Validity of same-sex marriages
Section 9-11-201 – Licenses required
Section 9-11-202 – Form of license
Section 9-11-203 – Issuance by clerks
Section 9-11-204 – Issuance of license unlawfully – Penalty
Section 9-11-205 – Notice of intention to wed – Noncompliance, penalties, and effect
Section 9-11-206 – Clerk’s fees
Section 9-11-207 – Applicants for marriage licenses to be sober
Section 9-11-208 – License not issued to persons of the same sex
Section 9-11-209 – Proof of age – Parental consent
Section 9-11-210 – Bond of applicant
Section 9-11-211 – Military personnel – Waiver of certain license requirements – Proceedings
Section 9-11-212 – Application without other’s consent – Penalties – Damages
Section 9-11-213 – Persons who may solemnize marriages
Section 9-11-214 – Recordation of credentials of clerical character
Section 9-11-215 – Marriage ceremony
Section 9-11-216 – Solemnization contrary to law – Penalty
Section 9-11-217 – Failure to sign and return license at time of marriage – Penalty
Section 9-11-218 – Return of executed license to clerk – Effect on bond
Section 9-11-219 – False return or record – Penalty
Section 9-11-220 – Duty of clerk on return of license – Issuance of certificate
Section 9-11-221 – Certified copies of record as evidence
Section 9-11-301 – Execution of contract
Section 9-11-302 – Acknowledgment or proof
Section 9-11-303 – Recordation – Effect
Section 9-11-304 – Effect of unrecorded contract
Section 9-11-305 – Contract or copy as evidence – Conclusiveness
Section 9-11-401 – Definitions
Section 9-11-402 – Formalities
Section 9-11-403 – Content
Section 9-11-404 – Effect of marriage
Section 9-11-405 – Amendment or revocation
Section 9-11-406 – Enforcement
Section 9-11-407 – Enforcement – Void marriage
Section 9-11-408 – Limitations of actions
Section 9-11-409 – Application and construction
Section 9-11-410 – Short title
Section 9-11-411 – Severability
Section 9-11-412 – Time of taking effect
Section 9-11-413 – Repeal
Section 9-11-501 – Construction of this section and Sections 9-11-509 – 9-11-514
Section 9-11-502 – [Repealed]

Section 9-11-503 – Rights generally
Section 9-11-504 – [Repealed]
Section 9-11-505 – Control of separate real and personal property
Section 9-11-506 – Spouses not liable for each other’s antenuptial debts
Section 9-11-507 – Separate property of one spouse not liable for other spouse’s debts
Section 9-11-508 – Contracts concerning separate property of one spouse not binding on other spouse
Section 9-11-509 – Schedule of separate personal property – Filing – Effect
Section 9-11-510 – Form of schedule
Section 9-11-511 – Filing of schedule by person selling or giving property – Effect of recording conveyance or will
Section 9-11-512 – Effect of failure to file schedule
Section 9-11-513 – Control of one spouse’s separate property by other spouse – Presumption of agency or trusteeship
Section 9-11-514 – Settlements in equity
Section 9-11-515 – [Repealed]
Section 9-11-516 – Doctrine of necessaries – Abolished
Section 9-11-601 – Obligations to support spouse unaffected by subchapter
Section 9-11-602 – Sale of real estate free of dower or curtesy – Petition
Section 9-11-603 – Sale of real estate free of dower or curtesy – Order and deposit
Section 9-11-604 – Setting apart dower or curtesy as life estate in certain lands
Section 9-11-701 – Persons acting for clerk
Section 9-11-702 – Marriages performed by mayors
Section 9-11-703 – Recordation of credentials of clerical character – Applicability of Section 9-11-214
Section 9-11-704 – Marriages solemnized out of county
Section 9-11-705 – Marriages solemnized by municipal court judges
Section 9-11-706 – Marriage before entry of divorce decree
Section 9-11-801 – Title
Section 9-11-802 – Definitions
Section 9-11-803 – Covenant marriage
Section 9-11-804 – Content of declaration of intent
Section 9-11-805 – Form of affidavit
Section 9-11-806 – Other applicable rules
Section 9-11-807 – Applicability to already married couples
Section 9-11-808 – Divorce or separation
Section 9-11-809 – Suit against spouse – Separation
Section 9-11-810 – Effects of separation
Section 9-11-811 – Informational pamphlet
Section 9-12-101 – Subsequent marriage before dissolution of prior marriage prohibited
Section 9-12-201 – Grounds
Section 9-12-202 – Proceedings for annulment to be in equity – Venue
Section 9-12-301 – Grounds for divorce
Section 9-12-302 – Equitable proceedings
Section 9-12-303 – Venue – Service of process
Section 9-12-304 – Pleadings – Interrogatories
Section 9-12-305 – No judgment pro confesso
Section 9-12-306 – Corroboration
Section 9-12-307 – Matters that must be proved
Section 9-12-308 – Effect of collusion, consent, or equal guilt of parties
Section 9-12-309 – Maintenance and attorney’s fees – Interest
Section 9-12-310 – Waiting period before rendition of decree
Section 9-12-311 – Legitimacy of children not affected
Section 9-12-312 – Alimony child support bond method of payment
Section 9-12-313 – Enforcement of separation agreements and decrees of court
Section 9-12-314 – Modification of allowance for alimony and maintenance – Child support
Section 9-12-315 – Division of property
Section 9-12-316 – Property settlements
Section 9-12-317 – Dissolution of estates by the entirety or survivorship
Section 9-12-318 – Restoration of name
Section 9-12-319 – Nonresident defendants – Warning orders – Entry of decree
Section 9-12-320 – Proceedings subsequent to decree – Change of venue
Section 9-12-321 – Annulment of decree of divorce
Section 9-12-322 – Divorcing parents to attend parenting class
Section 9-12-323 – Joint credit card accounts
Section 9-12-324 – Decree dissolving a covenant marriage
Section 9-12-325 – Condonation abolished
Section 9-13-101 – [Effective Until 90 days after sine die adjournment] Award of custody
Section 9-13-101 – [Effective 90 days after sine die adjournment] Award of custody
Section 9-13-102 – Visitation rights of brothers and sisters
Section 9-13-103 – Visitation rights of grandparents when the child is in the custody of a parent
Section 9-13-104 – Transfer of custody on school property
Section 9-13-105 – Criminal records check
Section 9-13-106 – Attorney ad litem programs
Section 9-13-107 – Visitation rights of grandparents when the parent does not have custody of the child
Section 9-13-108 – Visitation – Preference of child
Section 9-13-109 – Drug testing – Proceedings concerning child custody, visitation, or the welfare of a child
Section 9-13-110 – Parents who are members of the armed forces
Section 9-13-201 – 9-13-227 – [Repealed]
Section 9-13-301 – Noncustodial parent’s right to child’s scholastic records
Section 9-13-302 – Penalty for noncompliance
Section 9-13-401 – Title
Section 9-13-402 – Definitions
Section 9-13-403 – Prevention of international child abduction
Section 9-13-404 – Considerations of the court
Section 9-13-405 – Abduction risk factors
Section 9-13-406 – Abduction prevention measures
Section 9-13-407 – Ex parte relief
Section 9-14-101 – Implied consent to jurisdiction for child support and maintenance or to establish paternity – Service of process
Section 9-14-102 – Wage assignment and deduction
Section 9-14-103 – Quarterly report of funds, moneys, etc., received for child support
Section 9-14-104 – [Repealed]
Section 9-14-105 – Petition for support
Section 9-14-106 – Noncustodial parents – Amount of support
Section 9-14-107 – Change in payor income warranting modification
Section 9-14-108 – Transfer between local jurisdictions
Section 9-14-109 – Automatic assignment of rights
Section 9-14-110 – Arkansas Registry of Child Support Orders
Section 9-14-201 – Definitions
Section 9-14-202 – Exclusivity of remedies
Section 9-14-203 – Superseded
Section 9-14-204 – Hearings for enforcement of support orders
Section 9-14-205 – Information required in support cases
Section 9-14-206 – Office of Child Support Enforcement – Establishment – Plan – Program – Child support officers
Section 9-14-207 – Office of Child Support Enforcement – Administrator – Child support officers
Section 9-14-208 – Office of Child Support Enforcement – Powers to obtain information on noncustodial parent – Penalty – Immunity
Section 9-14-209 – Office of Child Support Enforcement – Duty to provide information to consumer reporting agency
Section 9-14-210 – Office of Child Support Enforcement – Employment of attorneys – Real party in interest – Scope of representation
Section 9-14-211 – Assigned support rights generally
Section 9-14-212 – Assigned support rights – Non-Temporary Assistance to Needy Families application fee
Section 9-14-213 – Assigned support rights – Notice – Termination of assignment
Section 9-14-214 – Assigned support rights – Award of fee in action
Section 9-14-215 – Fees in actions under Uniform Interstate Family Support Act
Section 9-14-216 – Income withholding – Establishment and maintenance of system
Section 9-14-217 – Income withholding – Supersession of Section 9-14-102
Section 9-14-218 – Income withholding – Time of taking effect generally – Forms
Section 9-14-219 – Income withholding – Priority of order
Section 9-14-220 – Income withholding – Persons subject to order – Ground to contest order
Section 9-14-221 – Income withholding – When orders take effect – Notice – Costs
Section 9-14-222 – Income withholding – Notice to payor – Costs
Section 9-14-223 – Income withholding – Objection of payor
Section 9-14-224 – Income withholding – Duties of payor
Section 9-14-225 – Income withholding – Liability of payor – Distribution of moneys
Section 9-14-226 – Income withholding – Prohibition of disciplinary action against employee – Penalty
Section 9-14-227 – Income withholding – Administrative costs – Applicability to unemployment compensation and workers’
Section 9-14-228 – Income withholding – Procedures for payor
Section 9-14-229 – Income withholding – Termination of order – Notice to payor
Section 9-14-230 – Decree as lien on real property
Section 9-14-231 – Overdue support as lien on personal property
Section 9-14-232 – Health care coverage
Section 9-14-233 – Arrearages – Interest and attorney’s fees – Work activities and incarceration
Section 9-14-234 – Arrearages – Finality of judgment
Section 9-14-235 – Arrearages – Payment after duty to support ceases
Section 9-14-236 – Arrearages – Child support limited – Limitations period
Section 9-14-237 – Expiration of child support obligation
Section 9-14-238 – Collection of support obligations
Section 9-14-239 – Suspension of license for failure to pay child support
Section 9-14-240 – Expiration of income withholding
Section 9-14-241 – Referrals for criminal prosecution
Section 9-14-242 – Report of nonsupport payments
Section 9-14-301 – 9-14-344 – [Repealed]
Section 9-14-401 – [Repealed]
Section 9-14-402 – [Repealed Effective 90 days after sine die adjourement] Staff
Section 9-14-403 – [Repealed Effective 90 days after sine die adjourement] Duties
Section 9-14-501 – Definition
Section 9-14-502 – Income withholding authorized
Section 9-14-503 – Minor children – Certain provisions denying or restricting coverage void
Section 9-14-504 – Communication with custodial parent or assignee
Section 9-14-505 – No direct offset to child support
Section 9-14-506 – Effective date of income withholding order – Applicability
Section 9-14-507 – Priority of income withholding claims
Section 9-14-508 – Persons subject to income withholding – Ground for contest
Section 9-14-509 – Notice to noncustodial parent
Section 9-14-510 – Determination of contest
Section 9-14-511 – Notice to employer
Section 9-14-512 – Objection of employer
Section 9-14-513 – Employer bound by court order until further notice
Section 9-14-514 – Notification of court by employer of termination
Section 9-14-515 – Employer prohibited from taking action against parent for income withholding
Section 9-14-516 – Enforcing medical support in Title IV-D cases
Section 9-14-801 – Definitions and capabilities
Section 9-14-802 – Authority
Section 9-14-803 – Data
Section 9-14-804 – Payments – Effect
Section 9-14-805 – Permanent transfer
Section 9-14-806 – Electronic funds transfer and electronic data information election
Section 9-14-807 – Official payment record
Section 9-15-101 – Purpose
Section 9-15-102 – Title
Section 9-15-103 – Definitions
Section 9-15-201 – Petition – Requirements generally
Section 9-15-202 – Filing fees
Section 9-15-203 – Petition – Form
Section 9-15-204 – Hearing – Service
Section 9-15-205 – Relief generally – Duration
Section 9-15-206 – Temporary order
Section 9-15-207 – Order of protection – Enforcement – Penalties – Criminal jurisdiction
Section 9-15-208 – Law enforcement assistance
Section 9-15-209 – Modification of orders
Section 9-15-210 – Contempt proceedings
Section 9-15-211 – [Repealed]
Section 9-15-212 – Effect of no contact order
Section 9-15-213 – Police conduct and procedure
Section 9-15-214 – Denial of relief prohibited
Section 9-15-215 – Factors in determining custody and visitation
Section 9-15-216 – Mutual orders of protection – Separate orders of protection
Section 9-15-217 – Order of protection – Violations – Domestic violence surveillance program – Global positioning devices
Section 9-15-218 – Commercial mobile radio service accounts – transfer order
Section 9-15-301 – [Repealed]
Section 9-15-302 – Full faith and credit
Section 9-15-303 – Immunity from liability
Section 9-15-401 – Title
Section 9-15-402 – Findings – Purpose
Section 9-15-403 – Definitions
Section 9-15-404 – Safety plans and education
Section 9-15-405 – Educational and training materials
Section 9-15-406 – Rules
Section 9-15-407 – Reporting
Section 9-16-101 – Title
Section 9-16-102 – Definitions
Section 9-16-103 – Director of the Division of Children and Family Services – Duties
Section 9-16-104 – Division of Children and Family Services – Duties
Section 9-16-105 – Provision of services by contract
Section 9-16-106 – Children qualified to receive services
Section 9-16-107 – Provision of services – Reasonable effort – Acceptance not an admission – Activity of family members
Section 9-16-108 – Evaluation
Section 9-16-109 – Provision of services – Funding
Section 9-17-101 – Short title
Section 9-17-102 – Definitions
Section 9-17-103 – State tribunal and support enforcement agency
Section 9-17-104 – Remedies cumulative
Section 9-17-105 – Penalties for noncompliance
Section 9-17-201 – Bases for jurisdiction over nonresident
Section 9-17-202 – Duration of personal jurisdiction
Section 9-17-203 – Initiating and responding tribunal of this state
Section 9-17-204 – Simultaneous proceedings
Section 9-17-205 – Continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify child-support order
Section 9-17-206 – Continuing jurisdiction to enforce child-support order

Section 9-9-213 – Required residence of minor

(a) A final decree of adoption shall not be issued and an interlocutory decree of adoption does not become final until the minor to be adopted, other than a stepchild of the petitioner, has lived in the home for at least six (6) months after placement by an agency or for at least six (6) months after the petition for adoption is filed.

(b) Residence in the home is not required for a minor to be adopted if the minor is in the custody of the Department of Human Services, and the minor must reside outside of the home to receive medically necessary health care.

Ark. Code § 9-9-213

Amended by Act 2013, No. 471,§ 2, eff. 8/16/2013

Acts 1977, No. 735, § 13; A.S.A. 1947, § 56-213; Acts 1999, No. 518, § 1; 2011, No. 607, § 3

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