Senate Bill 1015 Summary

• Paternity proceedings must be filed before a child reaches the age of majority, with an exception allowing proceedings to be filed prior to termination of the birth mother's parental rights.

• Unmarried biological fathers must file notice of paternity proceedings with the vital statistics unit and commence paternity proceedings prior to placement of the child with adoptive parents or prior to filing of termination proceedings for the birth mother, whichever occurs first.

• Evidence regarding whether a mother or father voluntarily consented to adoption or relinquishment of parental rights is inadmissible in paternity, support, or custody proceedings.

• Establishes a putative father registry with a $10.00 filing fee; requires public notice and pamphlets about the registry in English and Spanish to be distributed at county clerks, health departments, hospitals, and other public facilities.

• A person who knowingly or intentionally falsely registers as a putative father is guilty of a misdemeanor; putative fathers who fail to timely file notice and commence proceedings waive all parental rights unless they prove by clear and convincing evidence that compliance was not possible.