FINAL BILL REPORT

                            SB 6221

                          C 146 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Authorizing genetic testing to determine parentage.

SPONSORS: Senators A. Smith and Quigley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

BACKGROUND:

Blood and genetic testing are regularly used in the determination of paternity.  In cases where paternity is contested, Washington law allows for the court to compel blood testing.  At the time the current statutes regarding the use of blood tests were enacted, blood testing was the only available method.  Advances in science and technology have since expanded the methods of testing available to make paternity determinations.  These methods include genetic tests of blood, tissues, and other bodily fluids which are now routinely used and accepted by the scientific community.

SUMMARY:

The paternity statutes are amended to allow for the use of genetic tests of blood, tissues, or other bodily fluids as methods of testing to determine paternity.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    48   0

House     98   0

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1994