Download Zipped Introduced WordPerfect HB0308.ZIP
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

H.B. 308

             1     

PARENTAL RIGHTS OF BIOLOGICAL FATHERS

             2     
2012 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Christine F. Watkins

             5     
Senate Sponsor: ____________

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends Title 78B, Chapter 6, Particular Proceedings, and Chapter 15, Utah
             10      Uniform Parentage Act, relating to consent requirements before the adoption of a child.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    requires that notice of an adoption proceeding be provided to an unmarried
             14      biological father in certain circumstances;
             15          .    modifies the procedure an unmarried biological father must follow to protect his
             16      parental rights in regard to a child age six months or younger;
             17          .    modifies the procedure the office of vital records and statistics must follow in
             18      accepting a notice of intent to initiate paternity proceedings;
             19          .    permits a birth mother to revoke her consent to adoption under a limited
             20      circumstance; and
             21          .    makes technical changes.
             22      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             23          None
             24      Other Special Clauses:
             25          None
             26      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             27      AMENDS:


             28          78B-6-110, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 237
             29          78B-6-121, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 159
             30          78B-6-126, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             31          78B-15-401, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             32     
             33      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             34          Section 1. Section 78B-6-110 is amended to read:
             35           78B-6-110. Notice of adoption proceedings.
             36          (1) (a) An unmarried biological father, by virtue of the fact that he has engaged in a
             37      sexual relationship with a woman:
             38          (i) is considered to be on notice that a pregnancy and an adoption proceeding regarding
             39      the child may occur; and
             40          (ii) has a duty to protect his own rights and interests.
             41          (b) An unmarried biological father is entitled to actual notice of a birth or an adoption
             42      proceeding with regard to his child only as provided in this section.
             43          (2) Notice of an adoption proceeding shall be served on each of the following persons:
             44          (a) any person or agency whose consent or relinquishment is required under Section
             45      78B-6-120 or 78B-6-121 , unless that right has been terminated by:
             46          (i) waiver;
             47          (ii) relinquishment;
             48          (iii) consent; or
             49          (iv) judicial action;
             50          (b) any person who has [initiated a paternity proceeding and] filed notice of [that
             51      action] intent to commence a paternity proceeding with the state registrar of vital statistics
             52      within the Department of Health, in accordance with Subsection (3);
             53          (c) any legally appointed custodian or guardian of the adoptee;
             54          (d) the petitioner's spouse, if any, only if the petitioner's spouse has not joined in the
             55      petition;
             56          (e) the adoptee's spouse, if any;
             57          (f) any person who, prior to the time the mother executes her consent for adoption or
             58      relinquishes the child for adoption, is recorded on the birth certificate as the child's father, with


             59      the knowledge and consent of the mother;
             60          (g) a person who is:
             61          (i) openly living in the same household with the child at the time the consent is
             62      executed or relinquishment made; and
             63          (ii) holding himself out to be the child's father; [and]
             64          (h) any person who is married to the child's mother at the time she executes her consent
             65      to the adoption or relinquishes the child for adoption[.]; and
             66          (i) an unmarried biological father, if:
             67          (i) he has preserved his rights under Subsection (3); or
             68          (ii) subject to the requirements of Subsection (12), he is not a resident of Utah.
             69          (3) (a) In order to preserve any right to notice, an unmarried, biological father may,
             70      consistent with Subsection (3)(d):
             71          (i) initiate proceedings in a district court of [the state of] Utah to establish paternity
             72      under Title 78B, Chapter 15, Utah Uniform Parentage Act; and
             73          (ii) file a notice of [commencement of] intent to commence the proceedings described
             74      in Subsection (3)(a)(i) with the state registrar of vital statistics within the Department of
             75      Health.
             76          (b) If the unmarried, biological father does not know the county in which the birth
             77      mother resides, he may initiate his action in any county, subject to a change in trial pursuant to
             78      Section 78B-3-307 .
             79          (c) The Department of Health shall provide forms for the purpose of filing the notice
             80      described in Subsection (3)(a)(ii), and make those forms available in the office of the county
             81      health department in each county.
             82          (d) The [action and] notice described in Subsection (3)(a)(ii):
             83          (i) may be filed before or after the child's birth; and
             84          (ii) shall be filed prior to the mother's:
             85          (A) execution of consent to adoption of the child; or
             86          (B) relinquishment of the child for adoption.
             87          (4) Notice provided in accordance with this section need not disclose the name of the
             88      mother of the child who is the subject of an adoption proceeding.
             89          (5) The notice required by this section:


             90          (a) may be served at any time after the petition for adoption is filed;
             91          (b) shall be served at least 30 days prior to the final dispositional hearing;
             92          (c) shall specifically state that the person served must respond to the petition within 30
             93      days of service if he intends to intervene in or contest the adoption;
             94          (d) shall state the consequences, described in Subsection (6)(b), for failure of a person
             95      to file a motion for relief within 30 days after the day on which the person is served with notice
             96      of an adoption proceeding;
             97          (e) is not required to include, nor be accompanied by, a summons or a copy of the
             98      petition for adoption; and
             99          (f) shall state where the person may obtain a copy of the petition for adoption.
             100          (6) (a) A person who has been served with notice of an adoption proceeding and who
             101      wishes to contest the adoption shall file a motion to intervene in the adoption proceeding:
             102          (i) within 30 days after the day on which the person was served with notice of the
             103      adoption proceeding;
             104          (ii) setting forth specific relief sought; and
             105          (iii) accompanied by a memorandum specifying the factual and legal grounds upon
             106      which the motion is based.
             107          (b) A person who fails to fully and strictly comply with all of the requirements
             108      described in Subsection (6)(a) within 30 days after the day on which the person was served
             109      with notice of the adoption proceeding:
             110          (i) waives any right to further notice in connection with the adoption;
             111          (ii) forfeits all rights in relation to the adoptee; and
             112          (iii) is barred from thereafter bringing or maintaining any action to assert any interest in
             113      the adoptee.
             114          (7) Service of notice under this section shall be made as follows:
             115          (a) (i) Subject to Subsection (5)(e), service on a person whose consent is necessary
             116      under Section 78B-6-120 or 78B-6-121 shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Utah
             117      Rules of Civil Procedure.
             118          (ii) If service of a person described in Subsection (7)(a)(i) is by publication, the court
             119      shall designate the content of the notice regarding the identity of the parties.
             120          (iii) The notice described in this Subsection (7)(a) may not include the name of a


             121      person seeking to adopt the adoptee.
             122          (b) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (7)(b)(ii) to any other person for whom notice
             123      is required under this section, service by certified mail, return receipt requested, is sufficient.
             124          (ii) If the service described in Subsection (7)(b)(i) cannot be completed after two
             125      attempts, the court may issue an order providing for service by publication, posting, or by any
             126      other manner of service.
             127          (c) Notice to a person who has [initiated a paternity proceeding and] filed notice of
             128      [that action] intent to commence a paternity proceeding with the state registrar of vital statistics
             129      in the Department of Health in accordance with the requirements of Subsection (3), shall be
             130      served by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the last address filed with the registrar.
             131          (8) The notice required by this section may be waived in writing by the person entitled
             132      to receive notice.
             133          (9) Proof of service of notice on all persons for whom notice is required by this section
             134      shall be filed with the court before the final dispositional hearing on the adoption.
             135          (10) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, neither the notice of an adoption
             136      proceeding nor any process in that proceeding is required to contain the name of the person or
             137      persons seeking to adopt the adoptee.
             138          (11) Except as to those persons whose consent to an adoption is required under Section
             139      78B-6-120 or 78B-6-121 , the sole purpose of notice under this section is to enable the person
             140      served to:
             141          (a) intervene in the adoption; and
             142          (b) present evidence to the court relevant to the best interest of the child.
             143          (12) If an unmarried biological father is not a resident of Utah:
             144          (a) a written notice of the existence of an adoption plan shall be:
             145          (i) sent to the unmarried biological father's last known or reasonably ascertainable
             146      address by certified mail; or
             147          (ii) published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the unmarried
             148      biological father was last known or believed to reside if his address is not known or reasonably
             149      ascertainable; and
             150          (b) shall include a statement indicating that:
             151          (i) if the unmarried biological father desires to assert or preserve his parental rights, he


             152      must comply with Sections 78B-6-121 and 78B-6-122 within 30 days of the later of the day on
             153      which the notice is served or the day on which the mother executes her consent to the adoption
             154      or relinquishes the child for adoption;
             155          (ii) if the unmarried biological father fails to comply with Sections 78B-6-121 and
             156      78B-6-122 , he shall:
             157          (A) irrevocably lose the ability to assert the right to consent or refuse to consent to the
             158      adoption;
             159          (B) lose the ability to assert the right to contest any future adoption of the child; and
             160          (C) lose the right to notice of any adoption proceedings related to the child; and
             161          (iii) if the unmarried biological father wishes to consent to the adoption:
             162          (A) he is under no obligation to respond to the notice described in this Subsection (12)
             163      and his consent shall be implied after the time limit described in Subsection (12)(a) expires;
             164      and
             165          (B) he may respond to indicate his desire to execute his consent.
             166          Section 2. Section 78B-6-121 is amended to read:
             167           78B-6-121. Consent of unmarried biological father.
             168          (1) Except as provided in Subsections (2)(a) and 78B-6-122 (1), and subject to
             169      Subsection (5), with regard to a child who is placed with adoptive parents more than six
             170      months after birth, consent of an unmarried biological father is not required unless the
             171      unmarried biological father:
             172          (a) (i) developed a substantial relationship with the child by:
             173          (A) visiting the child monthly, unless the unmarried biological father was physically or
             174      financially unable to visit the child on a monthly basis; or
             175          (B) engaging in regular communication with the child or with the person or authorized
             176      agency that has lawful custody of the child;
             177          (ii) took some measure of responsibility for the child and the child's future; and
             178          (iii) demonstrated a full commitment to the responsibilities of parenthood by financial
             179      support of the child of a fair and reasonable sum in accordance with the father's ability; or
             180          (b) (i) openly lived with the child:
             181          (A) (I) for a period of at least six months during the one-year period immediately
             182      preceding the day on which the child is placed with adoptive parents; or


             183          (II) if the child is less than one year old, for a period of at least six months during the
             184      period of time beginning on the day on which the child is born and ending on the day on which
             185      the child is placed with adoptive parents; and
             186          (B) immediately preceding placement of the child with adoptive parents; and
             187          (ii) openly held himself out to be the father of the child during the six-month period
             188      described in Subsection (1)(b)(i)(A).
             189          (2) (a) If an unmarried biological father was prevented from complying with a
             190      requirement of Subsection (1) by the person or authorized agency having lawful custody of the
             191      child, the unmarried biological father is not required to comply with that requirement.
             192          (b) The subjective intent of an unmarried biological father, whether expressed or
             193      otherwise, that is unsupported by evidence that the requirements in Subsection (1) have been
             194      met, shall not preclude a determination that the father failed to meet the requirements of
             195      Subsection (1).
             196          (3) Except as provided in [Subsection] Subsections (7) and 78B-6-122 (1), and subject
             197      to Subsection (5), with regard to a child who is six months of age or less at the time the child is
             198      placed with adoptive parents, consent of an unmarried biological father is not required unless[,
             199      prior to the time]:
             200          (a) before the mother executes her consent for adoption or relinquishes the child for
             201      adoption, the unmarried biological father:
             202          [(a) initiates proceedings in a district court of Utah to establish paternity under Title
             203      78B, Chapter 15, Utah Uniform Parentage Act;]
             204          [(b) files with the court that is presiding over the paternity proceeding a sworn
             205      affidavit:]
             206          [(i) stating that he is fully able and willing to have full custody of the child;]
             207          [(ii) setting forth his plans for care of the child; and]
             208          [(iii) agreeing to a court order of child support and the payment of expenses incurred in
             209      connection with the mother's pregnancy and the child's birth;]
             210          [(c)] (i) consistent with Subsection (4), files notice of [the commencement of] intent to
             211      commence paternity proceedings[, described in Subsection (3)(a),] with the state registrar of
             212      vital statistics within the Department of Health, in a confidential registry established by the
             213      department for that purpose; and


             214          [(d)] (ii) offered to pay and paid a fair and reasonable amount of the expenses incurred
             215      in connection with the mother's pregnancy and the child's birth, in accordance with his financial
             216      ability, unless:
             217          [(i)] (A) he did not have actual knowledge of the pregnancy;
             218          [(ii)] (B) he was prevented from paying the expenses by the person or authorized
             219      agency having lawful custody of the child; or
             220          [(iii)] (C) the mother refuses to accept the unmarried biological father's offer to pay the
             221      expenses described in this Subsection (3)[(d).](a)(ii); and
             222          (b) within 30 days after filing a notice of intent to commence paternity proceedings
             223      under Subsection (3)(a)(i), the unmarried biological father:
             224          (i) initiates proceedings in a district court of Utah to establish paternity under Title
             225      78B, Chapter 15, Utah Uniform Parentage Act; and
             226          (ii) files with the court that is presiding over the paternity proceeding a sworn affidavit:
             227          (A) stating that he is fully able and willing to have full custody of the child;
             228          (B) setting forth his plans for care of the child; and
             229          (C) agreeing to a court order of child support and the payment of expenses incurred in
             230      connection with the mother's pregnancy and the child's birth.
             231          (4) The notice described in Subsection (3)[(c)](a)(i) is considered filed when it is
             232      entered into the registry described in Subsection (3)[(c)](a)(i).
             233          (5) Consent of an unmarried biological father is not required under this section if:
             234          (a) the child is six months of age or less and the unmarried biological father does not
             235      fully and strictly comply with Subsection (3);
             236          (b) the unmarried biological father has initiated proceedings in a district court of Utah
             237      to establish paternity under Title 78B, Chapter 15, Utah Uniform Parentage Act, but the court
             238      has:
             239          (i) adjudicated the paternity of the child and ruled against the unmarried biological
             240      father; or
             241          (ii) dismissed the proceeding for want of prosecution under Section 78B-15-621 ;
             242          [(a)] (c) the court determines, in accordance with the requirements and procedures of
             243      Title 78A, Chapter 6, Part 5, Termination of Parental Rights Act, that the unmarried biological
             244      father's rights should be terminated, based on the petition of any interested party; or


             245          [(b)] (d) (i) a declaration of paternity declaring the unmarried biological father to be the
             246      father of the child is rescinded under Section 78B-15-306 ; and
             247          (ii) the unmarried biological father fails to comply with Subsection (3) within 10
             248      business days after the day that notice of the rescission described in Subsection (5)[(b)](d)(i) is
             249      mailed by the Office of Vital Records within the Department of Health as provided in Section
             250      78B-15-306 .
             251          (6) Unless the adoptee is conceived or born within a marriage, the petitioner in an
             252      adoption proceeding shall, [prior to entrance of] before the court enters a final decree of
             253      adoption, file with the court a certificate from the state registrar of vital statistics within the
             254      Department of Health, stating:
             255          (a) that a diligent search has been made of the registry of notices from unmarried
             256      biological fathers described in Subsection (3)[(c)](a)(i); and
             257          (b) (i) that no filing has been found pertaining to the father of the child in question; or
             258          (ii) if a filing is found, the name of the putative father and the time and date of filing.
             259          (7) If the unmarried biological father is not a resident of Utah, he shall have 30 days
             260      from the later of the day on which he received notice of the adoption proceeding, as described
             261      in Subsection 78B-6-110 (12), or the day on which the mother executes her consent to the
             262      adoption, to fulfill the requirements of Subsections (3)(a) and (b).
             263          Section 3. Section 78B-6-126 is amended to read:
             264           78B-6-126. When consent or relinquishment effective.
             265          [A] (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a consent or relinquishment is effective
             266      when it is signed and may not be revoked.
             267          (2) A mother may revoke her consent to an adoption within 30 days after the day on
             268      which the unmarried biological father:
             269          (a) successfully asserts his parental rights by fully and strictly complying with Sections
             270      78B-6-120 through 78B-6-122 ;
             271          (b) is adjudicated to be the father of the child under Title 78B, Chapter 15, Utah
             272      Uniform Parentage Act; and
             273          (c) refuses to relinquish or terminate his parental rights and consent to the adoption.
             274          Section 4. Section 78B-15-401 is amended to read:
             275           78B-15-401. Maintenance of records.


             276          (1) The Office of Vital Records shall register the following records which are filed
             277      with the office:
             278          (a) all declarations of paternity;
             279          (b) all judicial and administrative determinations of paternity; and
             280          (c) all notices of proceedings to establish paternity which are filed pursuant to Sections
             281      78B-6-110 , 78B-6-120 , 78B-6-121 , and 78B-6-122 .
             282          [(2) A notice of initiation of paternity proceedings may not be accepted into the registry
             283      unless accompanied by a copy of the pleading which has been filed with the court to establish
             284      paternity.]
             285          [(3)] (2) A notice of [initiation of] intent to initiate paternity proceedings may not be
             286      filed if another man is the adjudicated or declarant father.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-26-12 12:13 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]