Texas House Bill HB932

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

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

Impact

The changes proposed in HB932 are expected to significantly affect the Family Code of Texas. The legislation establishes clearer protocols which could streamline court proceedings relating to parentage disputes and child support obligations. By formally integrating genetic testing into the adjudicatory framework, courts may have more reliable means to determine paternity, potentially leading to more equitable resolutions in family law cases. This could also reduce the backlog of cases where paternity is unclear, allowing for a more efficient judicial process.

Summary

House Bill 932 addresses the procedures regarding genetic testing in determining parentage and outlines the process for vacating a court order related to paternity or child support. The bill allows an alleged or presumed father to request genetic testing in cases where parentage is contested, ensuring that courts can utilize modern genetic testing techniques to ascertain biological connections. Notably, the legislation requires notice to be given to alleged or presumed fathers about their right to request such testing, emphasizing the importance of informed participation in these legal matters.

Contention

There may be contentions surrounding HB932, especially related to the rights of presumed fathers versus the biological realities. Opponents might argue that the right to vacate paternity orders based on genetic testing could undermine the stability of child support arrangements and potentially disrupt familial relationships. Furthermore, implementing genetic testing and the associated legal complexities could lead to disputes over costs and accessibility, raising concerns about fairness in cases where individuals may not have the financial resources to participate in such testing.