Bill > H139

This bill, the Massachusetts Parentage Act, establishes a comprehensive framework for the adjudication or determination of parentage. Key provisions include: - Defining important terms related to parentage, such as "acknowledged parent," "adjudicated parent," "donor," and "intended parent." - Outlining the various ways that a parent-child relationship can be established, including through birth, presumption, adoption, acknowledgment, and assisted reproduction. - Providing rules and procedures for the voluntary acknowledgment and denial of parentage, including time limits and grounds for challenging such determinations. - Addressing the use of genetic testing to establish or challenge parentage, including requirements for testing and the admissibility of test results. - Establishing the Probate and Family Court as the authorized court to adjudicate parentage and setting venue and jurisdiction requirements. - Specifying the standing and notice requirements for individuals to participate in parentage proceedings. - Detailing the special rules and requirements for parentage through assisted reproduction, including gestational and genetic surrogacy agreements. - Addressing the implications of a parent's death on their parental rights and responsibilities. - Repealing and superseding existing state law on the establishment of parentage.