Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB350

Introduced
3/13/23  
Refer
3/13/23  
Refer
6/5/24  
Report Pass
6/12/24  
Refer
6/12/24  
Report Pass
6/24/24  
Engrossed
6/24/24  

Caption

In proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for hearing, for alternative procedure for relinquishment and for hearing; in support matters generally, further providing for paternity and for continuing jurisdiction over support orders; in general provisions relating to children and minors, repealing provisions relating to acknowledgment and claim of paternity; in jurisdiction, further providing for bases for jurisdiction over nonresident; enacting the Uniform Parentage Act; and providing for parent-child relationship for certain individuals, for voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, for genetic testing, for proceeding to adjudicate parentage, for assisted reproduction, for surrogacy agreements and for information about donors.

Impact

With the enactment of HB 350, Pennsylvania's laws would significantly reshape the landscape around parentage and child custody. Among its many provisions, it reinforces the criteria for establishing paternity through volition and legal acknowledgment, thus aiming to provide rights and responsibilities in an equitable manner for all parents involved. The discussion surrounding these changes highlights the intention to streamline legal processes for child support, enforce compliance from non-custodial parents, and protect the rights of parents and children alike. This legislation is expected to create uniformity in how parentage is recognized within the state, particularly in cases involving modern family structures like those utilizing assisted reproductive technologies or surrogacy.

Summary

House Bill 350 introduces amendments to the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically Title 23 concerning Domestic Relations. The bill thoroughly addresses the matters of paternity, the procedures regarding adoption, and the establishment of parent-child relationships. It aims to enact the Uniform Parentage Act in the state, providing clearer guidelines and procedures for determining parentage, particularly concerning assisted reproduction and surrogacy. The bill's provisions also include the conditions under which parental rights can be acknowledged, denied, or terminated, and lays out the responsibilities related to child support and custody in diverse parenting scenarios.

Sentiment

The sentiment regarding HB 350 appears to be cautiously optimistic among its supporters who see it as a necessary update to an increasingly complex family law environment. The proponents argue that clarifying laws around parentage is essential in protecting children's rights and ensuring parental accountability. On the contrary, some opposition has emerged, primarily concerned about the implications for reproductive rights and the potential legal complexities introduced by the bill. Critics have argued that the provisions may inadvertently affect the rights of biological parents in surrogacy arrangements and felt that further clarity in the surrogacy processes was essential before proceeding.

Contention

Noteworthy points of contention within the dialogue around HB 350 involve the adequacy of protections for surrogates and potential disputes over parental rights in cases involving assisted reproduction. One concern revolves around how the bill delineates responsibilities between intended parents and gestational carriers, particularly in relation to the acknowledgment of parentage and the legal obligations towards child support. There is also a call for additional safeguards that prevent potential exploitation of surrogates while maintaining the integrity of intended parents' rights. As discussions continue, these debates will likely shape further amendments and refinements to the bill to address both parental and surrogate interests.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB350

In intestate succession, further providing for rules of succession; in administration and personal representatives, providing for liability of executor; in proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for rules of succession, for hearing, for alternative procedure for relinquishment and for hearing; in support matters generally, further providing general administration of support matters, repealing provisions relating to paternity and further providing for continuing jurisdiction over support orders; in general provisions relating to children and minors, repealing provisions relating to acknowledgment and claim of paternity; in jurisdiction, further providing for bases for jurisdiction over nonresident; enacting the Uniform Parentage Act; providing for parent-child relationship for certain individuals, for voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, for genetic testing, for proceeding to adjudicate parentage, for assisted reproduction, for surrogacy agreements and for information about donors; and, in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for original jurisdiction and venue.

PA HB1961

Adding provisions relating to establishment of parent-child relationship for certain individuals; providing for voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, for registry of paternity, for genetic testing, for proceeding to adjudicate parentage, for assisted reproduction, for surrogacy agreements and for information about donors.

PA SB179

In adoption, further providing for definitions; in proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for hearing, for grounds for involuntary termination and for petition for involuntary termination and providing for notice if identity or whereabouts of birth parent or putative father unknown; and, in petition for adoption, further providing for consents necessary to adoption and repealing provisions relating to consents not naming adopting parents.

PA HB932

Relating to genetic testing in the determination of parentage and to a proceeding to vacate an order of paternity or child support.

PA HB483

Relating to genetic testing in the determination of parentage and to a proceeding to vacate an order of paternity or child support.

PA HB2303

In preliminary provisions relating to divorce, further providing for legislative findings and intent, for definitions, for bases of jurisdiction, for effect of agreement between parties and for premarital agreements; in dissolution of marital status, further providing for grounds for divorce, repealing provisions relating to counseling, further providing for grounds for annulment of voidable marriages, repealing provisions relating to defenses, to action where defendant suffering from mental disorder and to general appearance and collusion, further providing for hearing by master, providing for general order of divorce proceedings, repealing provisions relating to jury trial, further providing for decree of court and repealing provisions relating to opening or vacating decrees; in property rights, further providing for definitions and for disposition of property to defeat obligations; in alimony and support, further providing for alimony and repealing provisions relating to bar to alimony; and repealing provisions relating to mediation.

PA HB977

In general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in zoning hearing board and other administrative proceedings, further providing for hearings.

PA HB285

In proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for grounds for involuntary termination; and, in juvenile matters, further providing for disposition of dependent child.

PA HB1962

In support matters generally, further providing for assistance recipients to seek support, for cooperation required and for enforcement of cooperation requirements.

PA HB458

In post-trial matters, further providing for eligibility for relief, providing for postconviction review for veterans with service-connected mental health disability and further providing for jurisdiction and proceedings; and, in sentencing, further providing for sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree.

Similar Bills

PA HB350

In intestate succession, further providing for rules of succession; in administration and personal representatives, providing for liability of executor; in proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for rules of succession, for hearing, for alternative procedure for relinquishment and for hearing; in support matters generally, further providing general administration of support matters, repealing provisions relating to paternity and further providing for continuing jurisdiction over support orders; in general provisions relating to children and minors, repealing provisions relating to acknowledgment and claim of paternity; in jurisdiction, further providing for bases for jurisdiction over nonresident; enacting the Uniform Parentage Act; providing for parent-child relationship for certain individuals, for voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, for genetic testing, for proceeding to adjudicate parentage, for assisted reproduction, for surrogacy agreements and for information about donors; and, in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for original jurisdiction and venue.

PA HB1961

Adding provisions relating to establishment of parent-child relationship for certain individuals; providing for voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, for registry of paternity, for genetic testing, for proceeding to adjudicate parentage, for assisted reproduction, for surrogacy agreements and for information about donors.

HI HB1193

Relating To Parentage.

HI SB1231

Relating To Parentage.

HI SB2747

Relating To The Uniform Parentage Act.

MN HF3567

Assisted reproduction rights and responsibilities updated, surrogacy agreement requirements created, and recordkeeping and information sharing provided for genetic donation.

MN SF3504

The Parentage Act

NM HB373

Revised Uniform Parentage Act