Bill > H1319

This bill establishes uniform procedures for acknowledging paternity, which is the legal recognition of a father-child relationship. It mandates that the Commissioner of Revenue and the Commissioner of Public Health create regulations to inform mothers and potential fathers about the benefits and responsibilities of parentage. Before a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity is signed, genetic testing must generally be performed to confirm the father's identity, with results provided to both parties, unless they both agree to waive this testing with a notarized statement acknowledging they understand the implications, including that an acknowledgment is legally equivalent to a court judgment and creates ongoing support obligations. The bill also requires that acknowledgment forms include detailed information about genetic testing options, the right to legal advice, the permanence of the father-child relationship, and how to challenge or rescind an acknowledgment. Special provisions are made for minor parents, requiring genetic testing or court involvement with legal representation or a waiver of testing.