21.An individual may employ private counsel to represent the individual in proceedings authorized by this act. If the tribunal of this State is acting as a responding tribunal and the petitioner or initiating support enforcement agency has not employed private counsel in this State, the State IV-D agency shall provide legal representation in IV-D cases to the petitioner or the initiating support enforcement agency, if any, in all proceedings brought under this act. The State IV-D agency shall not assess fees or other costs on the petitioner or the initiating support enforcement agency, if any, for such representation.
