Pennsylvania House Bill HB1973

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/21/25
• Refer: 10/21/25

Caption

In support matters generally, further providing for paternity; and, in general provisions relating to children and minors, further providing for blood tests to determine paternity.

Impact

One significant change introduced by HB 1973 is the admissibility of bills for pregnancy, childbirth, postnatal care, and genetic testing as evidence within paternity cases. This provision facilitates the process of proving paternity and may also influence the allocation of child support payments pending the resolution of disputes. The bill proposes that if clear and convincing evidence of paternity emerges based on genetic tests, a temporary support order may be issued, which can assist in the immediate welfare of the child while the legal proceedings continue.

Summary

House Bill 1973 aims to amend Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to make provisions regarding the legal determination of paternity and the use of genetic testing in such cases. The bill specifies that when the paternity of a child conceived out of wedlock is disputed, the determination must be made by a court without a jury. It also allows a putative father to initiate a civil action to establish paternity and states the burden of proof shall be by a preponderance of the evidence. This aims to streamline the process of legally establishing paternity and ensuring that fathers have a path to claim their rights and responsibilities towards their children.

Contention

In legislative discussions surrounding the bill, points of contention emerged regarding the implications for the presumption of legitimacy for children born during wedlock. The bill specifies circumstances under which this presumption can be overcome, namely if evidence shows that the husband is not the father or if the mother had relations with another man around the time of conception. Critics of this provision may argue that it undermines the sanctity of marriage and the legal presumptions regarding paternity, thus raising concerns in relation to social norms and family dynamics. Proponents, on the other hand, view it as a necessary step towards fair and just determination of parentage rights and responsibilities, emphasizing the need for clarity in family law.