(a) A tribunal of this State may exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the complaint or comparable pleading is filed after a pleading is filed in another state or foreign country only if: (1) the complaint or comparable pleading in this State is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the other state or foreign country for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by the other state or foreign country; (2) the contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in the other state or foreign country; and (3) if relevant, this State is the home state of the child. (b) A tribunal of this State may not exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the complaint or comparable pleading is filed before a complaint or comparable pleading is filed in another state or foreign country if: (1) the complaint or comparable pleading in the other state or foreign country is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in this State for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by this State; (2) the contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in this State; and (3) if n this State for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by this State; (2) the contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in this State; and (3) if relevant, the other state or foreign country is the home state of the child.
Maryland Legal Code