New Jersey-2012-A2609-Introduced

An Act concerning paternity and child support, amending and supplementing P.L.1983, c.17.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 4 of P.L.1983, c. 17 (C.9:17-41) is amended to read as follows:

4. The parent and child relationship between a child and:

a. The natural mother, may be established by proof of her having given birth to the child, or under P.L.1983, c.17 (C.9:17-38 et seq.);

b. The natural father, may be established by proof that his paternity has been adjudicated under prior law; under the laws governing probate; by giving full faith and credit to a determination of paternity made by any other state or jurisdiction, whether established through voluntary acknowledgment or through judicial or administrative processes; by a Certificate of Parentage as provided in section 7 of P.L.1994, c.164 (C.26:8-28.1) that is executed by the father, including an unemancipated minor, prior to or after the birth of a child, and filed with the appropriate State agency; by a default judgment or order of the court; or by an order of the court based on a blood test or genetic test that meets or exceeds the specific threshold probability as set by subsection i. of section 11 of P.L.1983, c.17 (C.9:17-48) creating a rebuttable presumption of paternity.

In accordance with section 331 of Pub.L.104-193, a signed voluntary acknowledgment of paternity shall be considered a legal finding of paternity subject to the right of the signatory to rescind the acknowledgment within 60 days of the date of signing, or by the date of establishment of a support order to which the signatory is a party, whichever is earlier.

The adjudication or acknowledgement of paternity shall only be voided upon a finding that there exists clear and convincing evidence of: fraud, duress or a material mistake of fact, with the burden of proof upon the challenger in accordance with section 6 of P.L. ,c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill);

c. An adoptive parent, may be established by proof of adoption;

d. The natural mother or the natural father, may be terminated by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction in granting a judgment of adoption or as the result of an action to terminate parental rights;

e. The establishment of the parent and child relationship pursuant to subsections a., b., and c. of this section shall be the basis upon which an action for child support may be brought by a party and acted upon by the court without further evidentiary proceedings;

f. In any case in which the parties execute a Certificate of Parentage or a rebuttable presumption of paternity is created through genetic testing, the presumption of paternity under section 6 of P.L.1983, c.17 (C.9:17-43) shall not apply;

g. Pursuant to the provisions of section 331 of Pub.L.104-193, the child and other parties in a contested paternity case shall submit to a genetic test upon the request of one of the parties, unless that person has good cause for refusal, if the request is supported by a sworn statement by the requesting party:

(1) alleging paternity and setting forth the facts establishing a reasonable possibility of the requisite sexual contact between the parties; or

(2) denying paternity and setting forth the facts establishing a reasonable possibility of the nonexistence of sexual contact between the parties;

h. In a contested paternity case in which the State IV-D agency requires or the court orders genetic testing, the State IV-D agency shall:

(1) pay the costs of the genetic test and may recoup payment from the alleged father whose paternity is established; and

(2) obtain additional testing if the initial test results are contested, and upon the request and advance payment for the additional test by the contestant.

(cf: P.L.1998, c.1, s.38)

2. Section 6 of P.L.1983, c.17 (C.9:17-43) is amended to read as follows:

6. a. A man is presumed to be the biological father of a child if:

(1) He and the child's biological mother are or have been married to each other and the child is born during the marriage, or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment or divorce;

(2) Before the child's birth, he and the child's biological mother have attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and:

(a) if the attempted marriage could be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born during the attempted marriage, or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulment or divorce; or

(b) if the attempted marriage is invalid without a court order, the child is born within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation;

(3) After the child's birth, he and the child's biological mother have married, or attempted to marry, each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and:

(a) he has acknowledged his paternity of the child in writing filed with the local registrar of vital statistics;

(b) he has sought to have his name placed on the child's birth certificate as the child's father, pursuant to R.S.26:8-40; or

(d) he is obligated to support the child under a written voluntary agreement or court order;

(4) While the child is under the age of majority, he receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his natural child;

(5) While the child is under the age of majority, he provides support for the child and openly holds out the child as his natural child; or

(6) He acknowledges his paternity of the child in a writing filed with the local registrar of vital statistics, which shall promptly inform the mother of the filing of the acknowledgment, and she does not dispute the acknowledgment within a reasonable time after being informed thereof, in a writing filed with the local registrar. If another man is presumed under this section to be the child's father, acknowledgment may be effected only with the written consent of the presumed father. Each attempted acknowledgment, whether or not effective, shall be kept on file by the local registrar of vital statistics and shall entitle the person who filed it to notice of all proceedings concerning parentage and adoption of the child, as provided in section 10 of P.L.1983, c.17 (C.9:17-47) and pursuant to section 9 of P.L.1977, c.367 (C.9:3-45.

b. A presumption under this section may be rebutted in an appropriate action only by clear and convincing evidence. If two or more presumptions arise which conflict with each other, the presumption which on the facts is founded on the weightier considerations of policy and logic controls. The presumption is rebutted by a court order terminating the presumed father's paternal rights or by establishing that another man is the child's biological or adoptive father in accordance with section 6 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill).

c. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, in an action brought under this act against the legal representative or the estate of a deceased alleged father, the criteria in paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection a. of this section shall not constitute presumptions but shall be considered by the court together with all of the evidence submitted. The decision of the court shall be based on a preponderance of the evidence.

d. In the absence of a presumption, the court shall decide whether the parent and child relationship exists, based upon a preponderance of the evidence.

e. There is a rebuttable presumption that a man has knowledge of his paternity and the birth of a child if he had sexual intercourse with the biological mother within 300 days of the child's birth. This presumption may be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence in an appropriate action based on fraud, duress, or misrepresentation by the biological mother concerning the paternity or birth of the child in accordance with section 6 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill). This claim of fraud, duress, or misrepresentation must be asserted prior to the finalization of the adoption.

(cf: P.L.1998, c.20, s.4)

3. Section 8 of P.L.1983, c. 17 (C.9:17-45) is amended to read as follows:

8. a. A child, a legal representative of the child, the natural mother, the estate or legal representative of the mother, if the mother has died or is a minor, a man alleged or alleging himself to be the father, the estate or legal representative of the alleged father, if the alleged father has died or is a minor, the Division of Family Development in the Department of Human Services, or the county welfare agency, or any person with an interest recognized as justiciable by the court may bring or defend an action or be made a party to an action at any time for the purpose of determining the existence or nonexistence of the parent and child relationship.

b. No action shall be brought under P.L.1983, c.17 (C.9:17-38 et seq.) more than five years after the child attains the age of majority.

c. The death of the alleged father shall not cause abatement of any action to establish paternity, and an action to determine the existence or nonexistence of the parent and child relationship may be instituted or continued against the estate or the legal representative of the alleged father.

d. Regardless of its terms, an agreement, other than an agreement approved by the court in accordance with subsection c. of section 11 of P.L.1983, c.17 (C.9:17-48) between an alleged or presumed father and the mother of the child, shall not bar an action under this section or section 6 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill).

e. If an action under this section is brought before the birth of the child, all proceedings shall be stayed until after the birth, except service of process and the taking of depositions to perpetuate testimony. The court may consider the issue of medical expenses and may order the alleged father to pay the reasonable expenses of the mother's pregnancy and postpartum disability. Bills for pregnancy, childbirth and genetic testing are admissible as evidence without requiring third party foundation testimony, and shall constitute prima facie evidence of the amounts incurred for such services or for testing on behalf of the child.

f. This section does not extend the time within which a right of inheritance or a right to succession may be asserted beyond the time provided by law relating to distribution and closing of decedents' estates or to the determination of heirship, or otherwise, or limit any time period for the determination of any claims arising under the laws governing probate, including the construction of wills and trust instruments.

(cf: P.L.1998, c.1, s.39)

4. Section 11 of P.L.1983, c. 17 (C.9:17-48) is amended to read as follows:

11. a. As soon as practicable after an action to declare the existence or nonexistence of the father and child relationship has been brought, a consent conference shall be held by the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part intake service, the Probation Division or the county welfare agency. At the request of either party, the determination of paternity may be referred directly to the court in lieu of the consent process. A court appearance shall be scheduled in the event that a consent agreement cannot be reached.

b. On the basis of the information produced at the conference, an appropriate recommendation for settlement shall be made to the parties, which may include any of the following:

(1) That the action be dismissed with or without prejudice; or

(2) That the alleged father voluntarily acknowledge his paternity of the child.

c. If the parties accept a recommendation made in accordance with subsection b. of this section, which has been approved by the court, judgment shall be entered or a Certificate of Parentage shall be executed accordingly.

d. If a party refuses to accept a recommendation made under subsection b. of this section or the consent conference is terminated because it is unlikely that all parties would accept a recommendation pursuant to subsection b. of this section, and blood tests or genetic tests have not been taken, the county welfare agency shall require or the court shall order the child and the parties to submit to blood tests or genetic tests unless a party claims, and the county welfare agency or the court finds, good cause for not ordering the tests. The court may hear and decide motions to challenge a directive issued by the county welfare agency requiring a party to submit to blood or genetic tests. A genetic test shall be ordered upon the request of either party, if the request is supported by a sworn statement by the requesting party which alleges paternity and sets forth the facts establishing a reasonable possibility of the requisite sexual contact between the parties or denies paternity and sets forth the facts establishing a reasonable possibility of the nonexistence of sexual contact between the parties or the reasonable possibility of the existence of sexual contact between the mother and another man. If a party refuses to acknowledge paternity based upon the blood or genetic test results, the action shall be set for a hearing.

If the results of the blood test or genetic test indicate that the specific threshold probability, as set by subsection i. of this section to establish paternity has been met or exceeded, the results shall be received in evidence as a rebuttable presumption of paternity without requiring any additional foundation testimony or proof of authenticity or accuracy of the paternity testing or results. In actions based on allegations of fraud or inaccurate analysis, the court or the county welfare agency shall require that additional blood or genetic tests be scheduled within 10 days of the request and be performed by qualified experts. Additional blood or genetic tests shall be paid for in advance by the requesting party.

If a party objects to the results of the blood or genetic tests, the party shall make the objection to the appropriate agency, in writing, within 10 days of the consent conference or hearing.

e. The guardian ad litem may accept or refuse to accept a recommendation under this section.

f. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1994, c.164).

g. No evidence, testimony or other disclosure from the consent conference shall be admitted as evidence in a civil action except by consent of the parties. However, blood tests or genetic tests ordered pursuant to subsection d. of this section shall be admitted as evidence.

h. The refusal to submit to a blood test or genetic test required pursuant to subsection d. of this section, or both, shall be admitted into evidence and shall give rise to the presumption that the results of the test would have been unfavorable to the interests of the party who refused to submit to the test. Refusal to submit to a blood test or genetic test, or both, is also subject to the contempt power of the court.

i. Blood test or genetic test results indicating a 95% or greater probability that the alleged father is the father of the child shall create a presumption of paternity which may be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence that the results of the test are not reliable in that particular case.

j. If a party refuses to acknowledge paternity or does not appear at a consent conference conducted by the county welfare agency, the county welfare agency shall refer the matter to the court for adjudication. For purposes of establishing paternity, the blood or genetic test results shall be admitted into evidence at the hearing without the need for foundation testimony or other proof of authenticity or accuracy, unless an objection is made.

k. Nothing in this section shall preclude an action pursuant to section 6 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill).

(cf: P.L.1998, c.1, s.40)

5. Section 16 of P.L.1983, c. 17 (C.9:17-53) is amended to read as follows:

16. a. [The] Except as provided in section 6 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill) the judgment or order of the court or a Certificate of Parentage determining the existence or nonexistence of the parent and child relationship is determinative for all purposes.

b. If the judgment or order of the court is at variance with the child's birth certificate, the court shall order that an amendment to the original birth record be made under section 22 of P.L.1983, c.17 (C.9:17-59).

c. The judgment or order may contain any other provision directed against the appropriate party to the proceeding concerning the duty of support, the custody and guardianship of the child, parenting time privileges with the child, the furnishing of bond or other security for the payment of the judgment, the repayment of any public assistance grant, or any other matter in the best interests of the child. The judgment or order may direct the father to pay the reasonable expenses of the mother's pregnancy and postpartum disability, including repayment to an agency which provided public assistance funds for those expenses. Bills for pregnancy, childbirth and blood or genetic testing are admissible as evidence without requiring third party foundation testimony, and shall constitute prima facie evidence of the amounts incurred for these services or for testing on behalf of the child.

d. Support judgments or orders ordinarily shall be for periodic payments, which may vary in amount. In the best interests of the child, the purchase of an annuity may be ordered in lieu of periodic payments of support. The court may limit a parent's liability for past support of the child to the proportion of the expenses already incurred that the court deems just.

e. In determining the amount to be paid by a parent for support of the child and the period during which the duty of support is owed, the court shall apply the child support guidelines as defined in section 3 of P.L.1998, c.1 (C.2A:17-56.52). In cases in which the court finds that a deviation from these guidelines is appropriate, the court shall consider all relevant facts when determining the amount of support, including the:

(1) Needs of the child;

(2) Standard of living and economic circumstances of each parent;

(3) Income and assets of each parent, including any public assistance grant received by a parent;

(4) Earning ability of each parent, including educational background, training, employment skills, work experience, custodial responsibility for children and the length of time and cost for each parent to obtain training or experience for appropriate employment;

(5) Need and capacity of the child for education, including higher education;

(6) Age and health of the child and each parent;

(7) Income, assets and earning ability of the child;

(8) Responsibility of the parents for the support of others; and

(9) Debts and liabilities of each child and parent.

The factors set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive. The court may consider such other factors as may be appropriate under the circumstances.

The obligation to pay support for a child who has not been emancipated by the court shall not terminate solely on the basis of the child's age if the child suffers from a severe mental or physical incapacity that causes the child to be financially dependent on a parent. The obligation to pay support for that child shall continue until the court finds that the child is relieved of the incapacity or is no longer financially dependent on the parent. However, in assessing the financial obligation of the parent, the court shall consider, in addition to the factors enumerated in this section, the child's eligibility for public benefits and services for people with disabilities and may make such orders, including an order involving the creation of a trust, as are necessary to promote the well-being of the child.

As used in this section "severe mental or physical incapacity" shall not include a child's abuse of, or addiction to, alcohol or controlled substances.

f. Upon a motion by a party, the court shall enter a temporary support order pending a judicial determination of parentage if there is clear and convincing evidence of paternity supported by blood or genetic test results or other evidence.

(cf: P.L.2005, c.171, s.3)

6. (New section) a. (1) Notwithstanding any provisions of the law to the contrary, a person may file a motion for relief from a final judgment or order that determines that the person referred to in that judgment or order is the father of a child or that requires the person to pay child support, unless the person has adopted the child or the child was conceived as a result of artificial insemination pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1983, c.17 (C.9:17-44). The motion for relief from a judgment or order shall be filed in accordance with the Rules of Court. The motion shall be supported by genetic test results showing a 0% probability that the person is the father of the child and a statement describing the fraud, duress or material mistake of fact that preceded the entry of the final judgment or order.

(2) If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that there is a reason to proceed with the motion filed pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the court shall order the child's mother, the child and the alleged father to submit to genetic tests. The court shall schedule the genetic testing no later than 30 days after the court issues its order. The genetic tests shall be performed by qualified examiners who are authorized by the court or the Department of Human Services. An examiner conducting a genetic test, upon the completion of the test, shall send a complete report of the test results to the court that ordered the test.

(3) The refusal of the child, the mother, the alleged father or any other designated individual to submit to a blood test or genetic test required pursuant to this section shall be admitted into evidence and shall give rise to the presumption that the results of the test would have been unfavorable to the interests of the party who refused to submit to the test. Refusal to submit to a blood test or genetic test, or both, is also subject to the contempt power of the court. The party refusing to submit to the test may be required to pay court costs and reasonable attorney fees pursuant to section 17 of P.L.1983, c.17 (C.9:17-54).

(4) The party requesting the genetic tests shall pay any fees charged for the tests, unless the custodian of the child is represented by the child support enforcement agency in its role as the agency providing enforcement of child support orders, in which case the child support enforcement agency shall pay the costs of genetic testing if it requests the tests. The child support enforcement agency or the person who paid the fees charged for the genetic testing may seek reimbursement for the fees from the person against whom the court assesses the costs of the action.

b. (1) Upon receipt of the genetic test results, a court may grant relief from a final judgment or order that determines that a person is the father of a child or that requires a person to pay child support for a child if:

(a) the genetic test results show a 0% probability that the person is the father of the child; and

(b) the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the final judgment or order was based on fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact.

(2) In determining whether to grant relief from a paternity judgment or order, the court shall consider: (a) the length of time between the proceeding to adjudicate parentage and the time that the presumed father was placed on notice that he might not be the genetic father; (b) the assumed role of the father of the child; (c) the facts surrounding the presumed father's discovery of his possible non-paternity; (d) the nature of the father-child relationship; (e) the age of the child; (f) the harm to the child which may result if presumed paternity is successfully disproved; (g) the relationship of the child to the alleged father; (h) the extent to which passage of time reduces the chances of establishing the paternity of another man and a child support obligation in favor of the child; and (i) other factors that may affect the equities arising from the disruption of the father-child relationship between the child and the presumed father or the chance of other harm to the child.

(3) A court shall not deny relief from a final judgment or order that determines that a person is the father of a child or that requires a person to pay child support for a child on the following grounds:

(a) The person married the mother of the child;

(b) The person acknowledged his paternity of the child in a writing sworn to before a notary public;

(c) The person was named as the child's natural father on the child's birth certificate with the valid consent of the person;

(d) The person was required to support the child because of a written voluntary promise or by a court order or an administrative support order;

(e) The person validly signed the child's birth certificate; (f) The person was named in an acknowledgment of paternity of the child that a court entered prior to this action;

(g) The person was named in an acknowledgment of paternity of the child that has become final under the "New Jersey Parentage Act," P.L.1983, c.17 (C.9:17-38 et seq.);

(h) The person was presumed to be the natural father of the child under any of the circumstances listed in the "New Jersey Parentage Act," P.L.1983, c.17 (C.9:17-38 et seq.);

(i) The person was determined to be the father of the child in any action under the "New Jersey Parentage Act," P.L.1983, c.17 (C.9:17-38 et seq.); or

(j) The person otherwise admitted or acknowledged himself to be the child's natural father.

c. A court shall not grant relief from a final judgment or order that determines that a person is the father of a child or that requires a person to pay child support for a child if blood or genetic evidence was considered when the final judgment or order was entered.

d. If a court grants relief from a judgment or order pursuant to this section, the obligation to support the child and all legal rights to the parentage of the child, including parenting time and decision-making, are terminated.

e. If relief from a judgment or order for the payment of child support is not granted pursuant to this section, the court may require the person who filed the motion for relief to pay all court costs of the action and the reasonable attorney's fees of the opposing party.

f. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a party is entitled to obtain relief under this section regardless of whether the final judgment or order from which relief is sought was issued prior to, on, or after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill).

g. Except for good cause shown, the court shall not suspend the legal responsibilities of a parent, including the obligation to pay child support, during the pendancy of an action to obtain relief from a final judgment or order brought in accordance with P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill).

7. (New section) a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the attending physician, midwife or person acting as the agent of the physician or midwife, who was in attendance upon the birth of an infant shall be responsible for the blood or genetic testing of the infant to determine paternity. It shall be the responsibility of personnel at the hospital or birthing facility to inform the mother and father of the requirement for the blood or genetic testing. The test shall be conducted by a qualified and approved technical laboratory. It shall be the responsibility of personnel at the hospital or birthing facility, within five days after the birth, to inform the mother and biological father of the blood or genetic testing. After the biological mother and biological father have been informed of the results, the results shall be filed with the local registrar's office in the municipality of birth of the child and in accordance with the provisions of R.S.26:8-28.

b. The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services shall, in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B‑1 et seq.), adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the implementation.

8. This act shall take effect on the 60^th date after enactment except prior to the effective date of the act any anticipatory administrative action may be taken to implement the provisions of the act.

STATEMENT

This bill amends and supplements the "New Jersey Parentage Act," to provide relief from judgment and modification of child support orders under certain circumstances. The bill would also require paternity testing for all infants at birth.

Under the provisions of the a person may file a motion for relief from a paternity determination or child support order if the person can prove that the paternity determination or child support order was based on fraud, duress or material mistake of fact. The motion for relief would be filed in accordance with the Rules of Court. The person may not file a motion for relief if the person adopted the child or the child was conceived as a result of artificial insemination. The motion would be required to be supported by genetic test results which show a 0% probability that the person is the father of the child and a statement describing the fraud, duress or material mistake of fact that preceded the entry of the final judgment or order.

If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that there is reason to proceed with the motion for relief, the court would order the child's mother, the child and the alleged father to submit to genetic tests. The tests would be scheduled no later than 30 days after the court issues its order. The bill requires that all genetic testing would be performed by qualified examiners authorized by the court or the Department of Human Services. Upon completion of the test, the examiner conducting the test would send a complete report of the test results to the court that ordered the test. If a party refuses to take the test, the refusal would be admitted into evidence and give rise to the presumption that the results of the test would have been unfavorable to that party's interests. The party refusing to submit to the test may be required to pay court costs and reasonable attorney fees in accordance with N.J.S.A.9:17-54.

The bill specifies that the party requesting the testing is responsible for paying any fees associated with the tests, unless the custodian of the child is represented by a child support enforcement agency, in which case that agency must pay the costs of the testing. The bill also specifies that the agency or person who paid the fees charged for the testing may seek reimbursement for those fees from the person against whom the court assesses the costs of the action.

Under the provisions of the bill, the court would not deny a motion for relief on the following grounds: (a) the person married the mother of the child; (b) the person acknowledged paternity; or (c) the person was named the father of the child on the birth certificate; or (d) the person was required to support the child; (e) the person signed the child's birth certificate; (f) the person was named in an acknowledgment of paternity of the child that a court entered prior to this action; (g) the person was named in an acknowledgment of paternity of the child that has become final; (h) the person was presumed to be the natural father of the child; (i) the person was determined to be the father of the child in an action; or (j) the person otherwise admitted or acknowledged himself to be the child's natural father.

Under the provisions of the bill, a court shall not grant a motion for relief from a final judgment or order that determines that a person is the father of a child or that requires a person to pay child support for a child if blood or genetic evidence was considered when that final judgment or order was entered.

If the court grants a motion for relief, the obligation to support the child and all legal rights to the parentage of the child, including parenting time and decision-making, would be terminated.

The bill also provides that if relief is not granted, the court shall require the person filing the action to pay all court costs of the action and reasonable attorney's fees of the opposing party.

The legal responsibilities of a parent, including the obligation to pay support, would not be suspended during the pendency of an action.

In addition, this bill would require the attending physician, midwife or person acting as the agent of the physician or midwife, who was in attendance upon the birth of an infant to be responsible for blood or genetic testing of the infant to determine paternity. The bill also provides that it shall be the responsibility of personnel at the hospital or birthing facility to inform the mother and father of the requirement for the blood or genetic testing. The test shall be conducted by a qualified and approved technical laboratory. It shall be the responsibility of personnel at the hospital or birthing facility, within five days after the birth, to inform the mother and biological father of the blood or genetic testing. After the biological mother and biological father have been informed of the results, the results shall be filed with the local registrar's office in the municipality of birth of the child.