NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A new bill at the state level would require a DNA test to prove the paternity of every baby born in Tennessee.

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Rep. G.A. Hardaway said he's backing legislation that requires a paternity test to be performed on every child before the father's name is listed on the birth certificate.

"It would be required of all births, whether you are married, single or otherwise," said Hardaway.

The lawmaker said the bill is intended to protect children. Those who can't pay for the testing will have the bill picked up by taxpayers.

"The children need to know, and they need to know early enough, so it doesn't destroy their opportunity to have a happy childhood,” said Hardaway.

Currently, paternity is based on a man's word. He signs paperwork acknowledging he is the father.

But Hardaway said 27 percent of paternity cases in Tennessee find that the biological father is actually someone else.

"It makes some couples more truthful with each other and certainly with the children," said Hardaway.

"I'm a social worker, and I work with a lot of people who have a hard time collecting child support from the father. So, if there is a way to make that easier for a mother, I'm all for it. But as a mother, I'm a little offended by it,” said resident Cherly Mendez.

"If there is a question, it seems to me that it should be between the couple. They are the ones who need to do the DNA testing,” said resident Kathy Wence.

Hardaway is proposing a separate bill that requires a paternity test before a father can be ordered to pay child support.