Substitute Senate Bill No. 1023, Public Act No. 23-189, is an act that introduces changes to Probate Court operations, effective October 1, 2023. The bill requires towns in each probate district to provide court facilities that meet updated standards, including the provision of necessary telephone services, a dedicated telephone line, network and electrical wiring, and Internet service for computerized courts. It also revises the process for filing a claim for parentage by an alleged genetic parent of a child born to an unmarried birth parent, extending the time for the Probate Court to publish findings on misconduct from fifteen to thirty days, and modifying the service procedure for such claims. The bill further outlines the responsibilities of the alleged genetic parent, including liability for child support and pregnancy-related medical expenses, and details the adjudication process for parental rights, including the appointment of a guardian ad litem.

Additionally, the bill allows for the filing of a claim for parentage on behalf of a deceased alleged genetic parent and specifies the Probate Court's role in such proceedings. It also revises statutes related to genetic testing in parentage cases, allowing the Superior Court, Probate Court, family support magistrate, or a child support agency to order genetic testing based on a sworn statement regarding the possibility of genetic parentage. The bill prohibits in utero genetic testing, allows for the testing of multiple individuals, and clarifies that testing the person who gave birth is not required before testing the child. It also details when a request for genetic testing may be denied and establishes consequences for refusing court-mandated genetic testing. These changes aim to enhance the technological infrastructure of probate courts and streamline the legal processes related to parentage claims and genetic testing.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 555:
Public Act No. 23-189: