04/24/1995 01:36 PM Senate JUD

          SB 116 PATERNITY; CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT                         
                                                                              
 MS. STRAUBE explained SB 116 allows the CSED to administratively              
 establish paternity in a more expedient manner.  New federal                  
 guidelines require paternity to be established in 75 percent of               
 child support orders within six months.  Paternity must be                    
 established prior to the issuance of an order.  Due to court                  
 backlogs, cases remain on court dockets for six months.  If                   
 paternity can be established administratively, the process will be            
 shortened by at least six months.  The same standards used by the             
 court will be used, and full due process will be provided to those            
 affected.  The fiscal cost of $72.7 thousand will generate $850               
 thousand per year in AFDC reimbursements.  SB 116 also allows the             
 biological parents and step parents of children born in wedlock to            
 sign an affidavit as to who the biological parents are, without               
 appearing in court.  This bill should appease both obligors and               
 obligees.                                                                     
                                                                               
 Number 170                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR ADAMS moved and asked unanimous consent that SB 116 be                
 moved to the next committee of referral with individual                       
 recommendations.  There being no objection, the motion carried.               
                                                                               
 Number 145                                                                    
                                                                               
 CHARLES McKEE testified via teleconference from Anchorage.  He                
 expressed frustration that he was not able to testify on several              
 bills before the committee.