1. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, sections 14-12.2-13 through 14-12.2-31 apply to all proceedings under this chapter.
2. An individual petitioner or a support enforcement agency may initiate a proceeding authorized under this chapter by filing a petition in an initiating tribunal for forwarding to a responding tribunal or by filing a petition or a comparable pleading directly in a tribunal of another state or foreign country which has or can obtain personal jurisdiction over the respondent.