{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "fca", "section": "422", "citation": "FCA § 422", "heading": "Persons who may originate proceedings", "text": ["§ 422. Persons who may originate proceedings. (a) A husband, wife, child, or relative in need of public assistance or care may originate a proceeding under this article to compel a person chargeable with the support to support the petitioner as required by law. A social services official may originate a proceeding under this article if so authorized by section one hundred and two of the social services law. The commissioner of mental health may originate a proceeding under this article when authorized by article forty-three of the mental hygiene law. A parent or guardian, of a child, or other person in loco parentis, or a representative of an incorporated charitable or philanthropic society having a legitimate interest in the petitioner, or, when the petitioner is unable because of his physical or mental condition to file a petition, a guardian ad litem, or a committee, conservator, next friend or other person appointed by the court, may file a petition in behalf of a dependent relative.", "(b) Any party to a decree of divorce, separation, or annulment may originate a proceeding to enforce or modify a decree of the supreme court or a court of competent jurisdiction, not of the state of New York, as is provided in part six of this article."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/FCT/422", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A spouse, child, or needy relative may file to compel support; a **social services official** (SSL § 102) or **Commissioner of Mental Health** (MHL Art. 43) may file when authorized; a parent/guardian/person in loco parentis, a charity, or a guardian ad litem may file for a dependent. Any party to a **divorce/separation/annulment decree** may file to enforce/modify (per Part 6).", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/fca/422", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}