HB590 Summary

• Authorizes a man who is not the presumed father but believes himself to be the biological father to petition the court for genetic testing to establish paternity, with results subject to court review.

• Genetic testing that identifies the petitioner as the biological father results in a court finding of paternity and causes the presumed father to lose standing in matters relating to the child.

• Establishes a 4-year statute of limitations from the child's birth date for a non-presumed father to petition for paternity establishment, with an exception for men who married the child's mother if certain conditions are met (no physical contact during conception period, never held himself out as father, child not adopted).

• A presumed father who fails to answer the court or participate in proceedings is deemed to have ceased claiming presumed father status; standing to petition ceases if the child is adopted or if the presumed father was in physical contact with the mother during conception and held himself out as the father.

• Clarifies jurisdictional requirements by amending Section 26-17-604 to reference Section 30-3D-201 instead of 30-3A-201; becomes effective three months after passage and approval.