CHILD SUPPORT REVISIONS - S.B. 801 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 801 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator Robert Geake

Committee: Families, Mental Health and Human Services

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Paternity Act to require the court to admit in a paternity proceeding bills for funeral expenses, expenses of the mother's confinement, and expenses in connection with the mother's pregnancy. (The Act specifies that the parents are liable for the child's funeral expenses and that the father is liable to pay the expenses of the mother's confinement and expenses in connection with her pregnancy, as the court in its discretion considers proper.)

In addition, the bill specifies that if the Family Independence Agency paid for the costs of genetic testing, the court could order repayment by the alleged father if it declared paternity. Documentation of the costs of genetic testing would be admissible as evidence of the amount incurred for those services.

Further, the bill would delete a provision of the Act that allows the judge in a paternity proceeding to make a judgment a lien upon the defendant's real property.

The bill also would delete a provision allowing either party in a paternity proceeding to demand a jury trial.

MCL 722.712 et al. - Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would result in an indeterminate savings to the State and local units of government.

Date Completed: 12-2-97 - Fiscal Analyst: B. Bowerman

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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.