HB 549 Summary

• Adds definition of "alleged parent" as a person with reasonable belief they are a child's biological parent to Florida Statutes section 742.13.

• Creates section 742.19 establishing legal parentage presumptions for children born in wedlock or when parentage is established under existing law, allowing the child, mother, or alleged parent to challenge presumptions through circuit court petition.

• Requires courts to appoint a guardian ad litem or attorney ad litem for the child, hold evidentiary hearings, and order genetic testing by qualified laboratories to determine biological parentage when petitions are not dismissed.

• Directs courts to determine parental rights based on the child's best interest, considering factors including bonds with each parent, family stability, moral fitness, health, and child's preferences, resulting in three possible outcomes: mother's spouse remains sole parent, biological parent becomes sole parent, or both establish shared parental rights as co-equal parents.

• Allows parents to agree on parenting plans specifying time-sharing, responsibilities, and communication methods; establishes that parentage orders do not affect child's legitimacy; takes effect July 1, 2018.