SB 1204 - This act amends various provisions relating to parentage of a child. This act defines which fathers must be searched for and provided notice to when identity is unknown: presumed father; acknowledged father; the putative father who has filed with the putative father registry and commenced a paternity action; and the putative father who has filed a paternity action and served the mother with notice of paternity action. If the identity of the father is unknown and a search of the putative father registry reveals no names, no further search or notice of legal proceedings is required.
This act also modifies the provision on how the parent child relationship is established.
This act modifies the provisions relating to the termination of parental rights to allow a guardian ad litem to petition the court for termination of parental rights or for acceptance of parental consent to adoption.
This act provides that a man who fails to timely register and is not a legal father waives his right to consent to termination of parental rights or adoption, and loses his right to intervene in the termination of parental rights or adoption action. This act identifies circumstances under which the mother's fraud will excuse failure to timely register.
This act modifies provisions relating to service of summons in termination proceedings. This act limits fathers who are entitled to service of summons to presumed fathers, certain putative fathers, and acknowledged fathers. Also, if the putative father's identity is unknown, and no putative fathers are registered with the putative father registry, no search or service of summons is necessary.
ADRIANE CROUSE