Bill > HB435

This bill amends Ohio law to require healthcare institutions to offer free genetic testing to confirm paternity when a child is born to unwed parents. Specifically, when a birth occurs in a medical institution, the institution must provide free genetic testing for the child and potential father, and offer an acknowledgment of paternity affidavit. If either the mother or father declines the genetic testing, the institution must document this decline by having both parties sign an acknowledgment of the testing offer. The bill mandates that institutions cannot withhold the paternity acknowledgment affidavit regardless of genetic testing results, and they cannot directly bill the mother or father for the genetic testing. Instead, institutions may bill the parents' health insurance plan for the testing costs. The legislation also clarifies that any health insurance reimbursement is considered payment in full, and the institution cannot seek additional payment from the parents. This bill aims to provide clear paternity information and ensure transparent, accessible genetic testing for families of children born outside of marriage, thereby supporting the "Right to Know" principle implied by the act's name.

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https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb435