Provides relative to the issuance of a birth certificate to a child when a judgment of filiation has been obtained. (8/1/16)
If enacted, SB 439 will standardize the process for issuing new birth certificates after parental rights have been legally recognized through a judgment of filiation. This means that children who are granted this legal status will have their updated names formally recognized in state records, which can significantly impact their legal identity and rights. The bill ensures that the state registrar is mandated to prepare the new certificate upon payment of any required fees, reinforcing the importance of administrative compliance in updating personal identifiers.
Senate Bill 439 focuses on the issuance of a birth certificate to a child after a judgment of filiation is obtained. The bill updates existing laws relating to birth certificates to ensure that children who have undergone a legal process to establish paternity can receive new birth certificates reflecting their father's surname or a combination of the father's surname and the mother's maiden name. This legislative change is set to take effect on August 1, 2016.
The sentiment surrounding SB 439 appears to be generally supportive, especially from those advocating for the rights of children to have accurate documentation reflecting their parentage. Stakeholders emphasize that such changes are crucial for the recognition of familial relationships in legal contexts. However, there may also be concerns regarding the potential financial burden of fees required for the issuance of the new certificates, which could affect some families uniquely.
One notable point of contention within discussions of SB 439 may arise around the implications of requiring fees to process new birth certificates. Critics may argue that this requirement places an unfair burden on families seeking to update their child’s identity documents, especially those who may already be facing financial hardships due to the circumstances that necessitated the judgment of filiation.