HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6221

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Judiciary

Title:  An act relating to genetic testing to determine parentage.

Brief Description:  Authorizing genetic testing to determine parentage.

Sponsors:  Senators A. Smith and Quigley.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, February 25, 1994, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 17 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Johanson, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Ballasiotes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Chappell; Eide; Forner; J. Kohl; Long; Morris; H. Myers; Riley; Schmidt; Scott; Tate and Wineberry.

Staff:  Pat Shelledy (786-7149).

Background:  Laws governing paternity actions provide that blood tests may be taken and used to establish paternity.  Apparently other genetic tests are also conducted and used to establish paternity.  Current law does not expressly authorize the use of other genetic tests to establish paternity.

Summary of Bill:  Genetic tests of blood, tissues, and other bodily fluids may be conducted and used to establish paternity in a paternity action.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill updates the paternity statute to reflect current practice.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Judy McCarley and Tom McBride, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (pro); and Robert Taub and Doug Becker, Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section (pro).