Bill > HB2651

This bill modifies existing Kansas law regarding the acknowledgment of paternity, which is a legal document establishing a father-child relationship without requiring a court order. Previously, a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity could generally only be challenged within a limited timeframe or if the signatory was a minor. This bill expands the ability to challenge an acknowledgment of paternity at any time if it was based on fraud, duress (meaning coercion or threat), or a material mistake of fact. Importantly, it specifies that genetic testing results that exclude a signatory father or identify another man as the father are considered a material mistake of fact, and such results can warrant a court finding of a material mistake of fact. The bill also clarifies that a person seeking to revoke an acknowledgment of paternity on these grounds must do so as soon as practicable after discovering the issue, and the court will always consider the child's best interests when making a decision. Additionally, the bill allows for the recovery of actual damages in exceptional circumstances if an acknowledgment of paternity is revoked. These changes are intended to be applied retroactively, meaning they will apply to acknowledgments of paternity made before the bill becomes law.

Justice

Judiciary (House)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2651/