Tennessee proposes mandatory paternity tests

[Cogito]

TN is proposing mandatory paternity testing of all newborns, regardless of the relationship of the parents. If the father does not qualify, then "unknown" is put on the birth certificate until such time as the father is found. What do you think of this idea?

"HOUSE BILL 2964
By Hardaway
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 24,
Chapter 7, Part 1; Title 36 and Title 68, relative to paternity testing for birth certificates.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-3-301, is amended by adding the following language as new, appropriately designated subsections:
( ) Regardless of the relationship between a child's parents, a genetic test shall
be administered as provided in § 24-7-112 to confirm the paternity of the child before a father shall be listed on the birth certificate. In order to provide genetic testing for those who are financially unable to pay for such testing in whole or in part, the department of human services shall be responsible for payment for testing for parties financially unable to pay, in whole or in part for the purpose of providing evidence of paternity. The requirements for financial inability to pay shall be established by the commissioner of human services. The commissioner shall take into consideration the family income, the number of dependents in the family, the probable total cost of testing and the other financial responsibilities of the family.

( ) If the results of the required paternity test have not been received, or if the
results have been received and showed the purported father was not the biological
father of the child, no name shall be entered as the father on the birth certificate until such name can be established by genetic test. In such cases, the certificate shall be amended to include the name of the child's father upon receipt of the results of a genetic test establishing paternity.

SECTION 6. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law for the purposes of
promulgating rules and regulations, the public welfare requiring it. For all other purposes, this
act shall take effect January 1, 2009, the public welfare requiring it."

 

[moribundman]

It's a way to make genetic testing mandatory. We all shall be "glass people."

 

[Loobed]

Looks like a good way for Big Brother to get a record of everyones DNA.

 

[cosynthetics]

I like the idea. It'll save on heartache's later.

I had a friend find out he wasn't the father. It really sucked as he had raised the kid as his own and loved the child.

 

[Steve S]

New world order !!!

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: Loobed

Looks like a good way for Big Brother to get a record of everyones DNA.

From birth on, they cam predict, based on your genetic makeup, among other things, when we will be come a burden on society. Care to guess where we are headed?

 

[Oilgal]

This has already gone much farther than you think. This information is not being reported in the MSM however, for some reason.


States Hand Over the DNA of Newborns to DHS

"Unknown to most new parents, or those who became parents in the last ten or so years, DNA of newborns has been harvested, tested, stored and experimented with by all 50 states. And all 50 states are now routinely providing these results to the Homeland Security Department."

 

[Cogito]

I'm sure this is a good idea, but I can see a couple of positive effects from it. This test would save the state lots of money in the long run, especially in lower socio-economic areas. A lot of time and money is spent in court, on lawyers, and on cops trying enforce and collect child support fees on the behalf of unwed mothers who really don't know who the father is, but have given some guy's name to the court. Also, it is estimated that at least 20% of the fathers that sign the birth certificates are not the actual fathers. There are a lot of guys paying child support for someone else's kids, family law court decisions are totally biased against men in this regard.

 

[Shannow]

It's wrong...besides, with human chimerism a proven concept, it's meaningless.

BTW, it goes without saying, that to get every child's paternity "proven", that means that they will be acquiring not only the child's DNA, but the father's as well.

 

[oilyriser]

In some parts you might want to do paternity testing on the parents first.

 

[Aldaris]

You guys are INSANE. It's a GREAT idea and it should be mandatory. Too many women are going around and claiming false paternity of their children in order to get child support payments.

 

[MarkC]

Aldaris and Cogito raise good points, BUT the idea of the government having too much information about citizens makes me nervous.

 

[dwendt44]

OOPS!
I thought this was going to be about giving an intelligence test before people in Tennessee were allowed to have children.
That's not a bad idea either.

 

[Cogito]

One problem I see is that there might an increase in the divorce rate when husbands who assumed they were the father find out otherwise. BTW, in my last post I meant that "I am not sure this is a good idea." The law intends to find out the truth, and I think that that usually is a good idea, but in case I am sure that there are some people who would be happier not knowing the truth.

 

[mechtech2]

I thought they were already all related in Tenn.

 

[oilyriser]

Higher divorce rate = more families living in separate homes. This is a good thing for the gubbermint, since people living separately have to deal with each other using the money system more, instead of just exchanging favors, and they will pay more tax.

 

[Gary Allan]

This would put an end to "Mori" (

) Povich

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Aldaris
You guys are INSANE. It's a GREAT idea and it should be mandatory. Too many women are going around and claiming false paternity of their children in order to get child support payments.

It will still be meaningless. In all states (I believe) the father is still considered to be legally responsible...DNA evidence not withstanding. I don't see where Tenn. has changed that with regard to this new act.

Why does Big Brother need to do it. The "father" can easily test for it.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: Al
Why does Big Brother need to do it.

Basically, it's to find out decades in advance when it's time to pull the plug.

 

[refaller]

It should not be mandatory. If you are accused of being the father or are not sure, you can get tested- CYF will do this. If you believe that you are the father and do not want to have the test and the mother agrees than why should the government intervene?

ref