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Section 9-3-108 – [Repealed]
Section 9-3-109 – [Repealed]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 9-9-402 – Definitions

As used in this subchapter:

(1) “Child” means a minor as defined by Arkansas law; and

(2) “Special needs” means a child who is not likely to be adopted by reason of one (1) or more of the following conditions:

(A) The child has special needs for medical or rehabilitative care;

(B) Age;

(C) A racial or ethnic factor;

(D) A sibling relationship; or

(E) A child who is at high risk for developing a serious physical, mental, developmental, or emotional condition if documentation of the risk is provided by a medical professional specializing in the area of the condition for which the child is considered at risk.

Ark. Code § 9-9-402

Acts 1979, No. 1109, § 2; A.S.A. 1947, § 56-131; Acts 1999, No. 945, § 5; 2005, No. 437, § 7

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