S 0233 General Bill, By McConnell
 A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-952, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976,
 RELATING TO INITIATION OF ACTIONS TO ESTABLISH PATERNITY, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE
 PRESUMED, INFERRED, OR ALLEGED LEGAL FATHER AS ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY
 INSTITUTE SUCH ACTIONS.

   01/30/01  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-17
   01/30/01  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-17
   02/07/01  Senate Committee report: Favorable Judiciary SJ-10
   02/08/01  Senate Read second time SJ-18
   02/13/01  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-9
   02/14/01  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-7
   02/14/01  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-7

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE REPORT

February 7, 2001

    S. 233

S. Printed 2/7/01--S.

Read the first time January 30, 2001.

    To whom was referred a Bill (S. 233) to amend Section 20-7-952, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to initiation of actions to establish paternity, so as to include the presumed, inferred, or alleged legal father, etc., respectfully

    That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

WILLIAM MESCHER, for Committee.

EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:

    The Judicial Department anticipates a minimal cost to the state general fund, which could be absorbed by the agency at its current funding level. However, if the number of cases exceeds what their current pool of family court judges can absorb, additional judges would be needed. The cost associated with one additional judge and staff (administrative assistant, court reporter and law clerk) is approximately $254,140 for personal services and associated operating expenses and $21,970 of non-recurring cost for automation and furniture. The addition of new judges would also require more courtroom space, an expense borne by county government.

    Approved By:

    Don Addy

    Office of State Budget

TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-952, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO INITIATION OF ACTIONS TO ESTABLISH PATERNITY, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE PRESUMED, INFERRED, OR ALLEGED LEGAL FATHER AS ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY INSTITUTE SUCH ACTIONS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 20-7-952 C. of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

    "C.    An action to establish the paternity of an individual may be brought by:

        (1)    A a child;

        (2)    The the natural mother of a child;

        (3)    Any a person in whose care a child has been placed;

        (4)    An an authorized agency, including, but not limited to, the Department of Social Services, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 5 of Title 43, and any other person or agency pursuant to the provisions of Sections 20-7-435 and 20-7-840; or

        (5)    A a person who claims to be the father of a child. or

        (6)    a person who is the presumed, inferred, or alleged legal father."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.