Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB350

Introduced
4/7/25  
Refer
4/7/25  
Refer
6/10/25  
Report Pass
6/16/25  
Refer
6/16/25  
Report Pass
6/17/25  
Engrossed
6/23/25  

Caption

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.

Impact

The amendments contained within HB 350 directly affect Title 20, Title 23, and Title 42 of the Pennsylvania statutes. By implementing the Uniform Parentage Act, the bill aims to standardize how parentage is established and recognized, making the process clearer and more equitable for families navigating complex reproductive and custody situations. Additionally, the bill addresses the liability of executors concerning estates by clarifying that they will not be held liable if they fail to establish parent-child relationships resulting from assisted reproductive technologies if proper notifications are not given.

Summary

House Bill 350 aims to amend several sections of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, primarily concerning intestate succession, parentage, and child support regulations. This legislation introduces the Uniform Parentage Act, which establishes guidelines for recognizing parent-child relationships for various situations, including those arising from assisted reproduction and surrogacy agreements. Notably, the bill provides that children conceived before a parent's death but born thereafter will have rights as if they were born during the parent's lifetime. This expands legal protections for children born via modern reproductive technologies.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 350 is largely supportive among advocates for family rights and modern reproductive practices. Proponents argue that the bill updates outdated laws to reflect contemporary family dynamics and technological advancements in parenting. However, some concerns were raised about the implications of genetic testing provisions and the potential for disputes regarding parentage and custody to increase, leading to more litigation.

Contention

Significant points of contention within HB 350 include the legal complexities associated with defining parentage in cases of assisted reproduction and surrogacy. Critics of the bill express concern that the changes might lead to unanticipated legal conflicts over parental rights and responsibilities, especially in scenarios involving multiple intended parents or where genetic ties are not clear-cut. Additionally, the lack of specific provisions governing potential disputes over assisted reproduction raises questions about how future legal challenges could unfold.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB350

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.

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 HB747

In organization of appellate courts, further providing for reassignment of matters; and, in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for original jurisdiction and venue.

PA HB412

In organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for problem-solving courts; and, in magisterial district judges, further providing for jurisdiction and venue.

PA SB1216

Further providing for jurisdiction.

PA HB1120

In intestate succession, further providing for forfeiture; in elective share of surviving spouse, further providing for right of election and resident decedent; in wills, further providing for modification by circumstances; in estates, further providing for modification by divorce or pending divorce and for effect of divorce or pending divorce on designation of beneficiaries; in preliminary provisions, further providing for legislative findings and intent, for definitions 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, providing for general order of divorce proceedings, repealing provisions relating to jury trial, further providing for decree of court and repealing provisions relating to limitations on attacks upon decrees and to opening or vacating decrees; in alimony and support, further providing for bar to alimony; and, in mediation, further providing for mediation programs.

PA HB1233

In general provisions, further providing for scope of subchapter, providing for definitions, further providing for establishment and designation, providing for emergency meetings by authorized telecommunications device, repealing provisions relating to exercise of powers and functions, further providing for declaration of policy and for definitions, repealing provisions relating to enabling authority for emergency interim successors for local offices, further providing for emergency interim successors for local officers and for succession period and repealing provisions relating to term and removal of designees.

PA SB775

In general provisions, further providing for scope of subchapter, providing for definitions, further providing for establishment and designation, providing for emergency meetings by authorized telecommunications device, repealing provisions relating to exercise of powers and functions, further providing for declaration of policy and for definitions, repealing provisions relating to enabling authority for emergency interim successors for local offices, further providing for emergency interim successors for local officers and for succession period and repealing provisions relating to term and removal of designees.

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 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.

Similar Bills

PA HB350

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.

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