Bill Requires Pre-Child Support Paternity Test
Bill Would Require Testing Before Order Of Support
POSTED: 4:25 pm CDT March 18,
2008
UPDATED: 7:49 pm CDT March 18,
2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The child support issue has Tennessee lawmakers looking at a bill that could end some paternity issues for unmarried couples.
Video: Lawmaker Wants To Increase Paternity TestingFor most people, the birth of a child is celebrated experience, but for an unmarried mother, a baby can create a new set of problems. Questions like who the child’s father is and if he will support the child are examples of those.The bill, sponsored by Memphis Rep. G.A. Hardaway, would require paternity testing before a court could render an order of child support.Hardaway said he doesn’t understand why state law hasn’t caught up with technology. He reasons that with DNA available, there should be mandatory testing for couples who have children out of wedlock. He said the issue really comes down to protecting the child."In the best interest of the child is the truth. That’s where it starts, the truth," he said.Along with getting to the truth about who the baby’s real father is, there’s the matter of child support. Establishing paternity, Hardaway said, would mean the baby’s real father would pay."If we’re able to identify the father, even with the government programs that require the father to pay child support in order to repay the government, it starts them off with the truth," he said.Hardaway used a quote from a former while arguing for paternity testing."We have a chance now to do what Ronald Reagan said, 'Trust, but verify.' It’s all well and fine that we have adults willing to step up to the plate and say, 'That’s my child,' but we have the means now to make 100 percent sure, 99.9999," he said.The paternity testing bill is in a subcommittee, and Hardaway said he gives it a 50 percent chance of getting out of that committee.
Video: Lawmaker Wants To Increase Paternity TestingFor most people, the birth of a child is celebrated experience, but for an unmarried mother, a baby can create a new set of problems. Questions like who the child’s father is and if he will support the child are examples of those.The bill, sponsored by Memphis Rep. G.A. Hardaway, would require paternity testing before a court could render an order of child support.Hardaway said he doesn’t understand why state law hasn’t caught up with technology. He reasons that with DNA available, there should be mandatory testing for couples who have children out of wedlock. He said the issue really comes down to protecting the child."In the best interest of the child is the truth. That’s where it starts, the truth," he said.Along with getting to the truth about who the baby’s real father is, there’s the matter of child support. Establishing paternity, Hardaway said, would mean the baby’s real father would pay."If we’re able to identify the father, even with the government programs that require the father to pay child support in order to repay the government, it starts them off with the truth," he said.Hardaway used a quote from a former while arguing for paternity testing."We have a chance now to do what Ronald Reagan said, 'Trust, but verify.' It’s all well and fine that we have adults willing to step up to the plate and say, 'That’s my child,' but we have the means now to make 100 percent sure, 99.9999," he said.The paternity testing bill is in a subcommittee, and Hardaway said he gives it a 50 percent chance of getting out of that committee. CONTACT REPRESENTATIVES |
Previous Stories:
- February 28, 2008: Bill Would Require Paternity Tests For Babies
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