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H 7541 - Establishes the "Uniform Parentage Act" - Rhode Island Key Vote

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Title: Establishes the "Uniform Parentage Act"

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that repeals current Rhode Island parentage law and establishes a new set of codes pertaining to parentage, genetic testing, and surrogacies, effective January 1, 2021.

Highlights:

 

  • Requires the individual filing a proceeding to adjudicate parentage to give notice to the following individuals that such legal action is being taken (Sec. 2):

    • The individual who gave birth to the child;

    • An individual who is a parent of the child;

    • A presumed, acknowledged or adjudicated parent of the child;

    • A person whose parentage of the child is to be adjudicated; and

    • The Office of Child Support Services if any party is receiving public assistance.

  • Specifies that every child has the same rights under the law regardless of the marital status or gender of their parents or the circumstances of the child’s birth (Sec. 2).

  • Authorizes the following individuals to sign an acknowledgment of parentage (Sec. 2):

    • An individual who gave birth to the child;

    • An individual who is the alleged genetic parent of the child;

    • An individual who is the intended parent of the child; and

    • An individual presumed to be the parent. 

  • Authorizes courts to order a child or individual to submit a genetic test if a request for testing is supported by a party (Sec. 2):

    • Alleging a reasonable possibility that the individual is the child’s biological parent; or

    • Denying genetic parentage of the child and stating facts establishing a reasonable possibility that the individual is not biologically related to the child.

  • Specifies that a sperm donor is not considered the parent of a child conceived through assisted reproduction (Sec. 2).

  • Establishes the following requirements for individuals wanting to become surrogate parents (Sec. 2):

    • Be at least 21 years of age;

    • Have completed a mental health evaluation; and

    • Have retained independent legal representation regarding the terms of the gestational carrier agreement and be advised of any legal consequences.

Full Bill Text

Title: Establishes the "Uniform Parentage Act"

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