COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION

FISCAL NOTE

L.R. No.:         3998-01

Bill No.:          HB 1556

Subject:           Children and Minors; Domestic Relations; Civil Procedure

Type:              Original

Date:               March 17, 2008

Bill Summary:            This legislation increases the length of time a father has to establish paternity prior to an adoption from within 15 days to within 60 days after the birth of the child.

FISCAL SUMMARY

Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.

This fiscal note contains 4 pages.

☐ Estimated Total Net Effect on All funds expected to exceed $100,000 savings or (cost).

☐ Estimated Net Effect on General Revenue Fund expected to exceed $100,000 (cost).

FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION

Officials from the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Office of the State Courts Administrator each assume the proposal would have no fiscal impact on their respective agencies.

Officials from the Department of Social Services assume the proposal would have zero fiscal impact on the Children's Division (CD). This proposal increases the number of days allowed for a father to establish paternity either in a court of competent jurisdiction or through the putative father registry from 15 days to 60 days.

This proposal will affect the Division in adoption cases where the biological mother has signed voluntary termination of parental rights documents within 48 hours of the child's birth and has named the father. The named father will then have 60 days to establish his paternity through the court or putative father registry.

Although this proposal could extend the filing for termination of parental rights by 45 days, it would likely create no substantial fiscal impact.

FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business

No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.

FISCAL DESCRIPTION

The proposed legislation appears to have no fiscal impact.

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Office of the State Courts Administrator

Department of Health and Senior Services

Department of Social Services

                                                                                                Mickey Wilson, CPA

                                                                                                Director

                                                                                                March 17, 2008