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.
Relating to the establishment of paternity and the duty to pay child support and to victim restitution or compensation for certain sexual offenses resulting in pregnancy.
Relating to suits affecting the parent-child relationship, including the payment and enforcement of support ordered in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to suits affecting the parent-child relationship, including the payment and enforcement of support ordered in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
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.
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.