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GA SB64
Bill
Status
Passed
4/26/2016
Primary Sponsor
Chuck Hufstetler
Click for details
AI Summary
- Repeals the voluntary acknowledgment of legitimation process (Code Section 19-7-21.1), requiring fathers of children born out of wedlock to legitimate their children only through a judicial petition in superior court under Code Section 19-7-22
- Adds definitions of "biological father" and "legal father" to the legitimation statute and clarifies that legitimation orders must be in the best interests of the child, with requirements to name and serve any existing legal father who is not the biological father
- Requires voluntary acknowledgments of paternity to be signed in the presence of a notary public and restructures hospital paternity programs so that hospitals provide paternity information prior to birth and offer the opportunity to execute acknowledgments after birth, with signed forms filed with the State Office of Vital Records within 30 days
- Establishes detailed access rules for certified copies of signed voluntary acknowledgments of paternity and legitimation acknowledgments executed on or before June 30, 2015, specifying eligible recipients including signatories, guardians, courts, government agencies, and Georgia Bar members
- Includes a savings clause preserving the validity of voluntary acknowledgments of legitimation executed on or before June 30, 2016, with a general effective date of July 1, 2016, and a contingent effective date for the repeal of the power of attorney relating to children (Article 5 of Chapter 9, Title 19) conditioned on passage of HB 887
Legislative Description
Juvenile Code, Domestic Relations, and Vital Records; repeal voluntary acknowledgments of legitimation
Last Action
Effective Date
7/1/2016
Full Bill Text
No bill text available