(1) An unchallenged acknowledgment of paternity shall be ratified under KRS Chapter
213 without the requirement for judicial or administrative proceedings. If a genetic test is required, the court shall direct that inherited characteristics be determined by appropriate testing procedures, and shall appoint an expert qualified as an examiner of genetic markers to analyze and interpret results and to report to the court.

Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 406.091

  • Action: includes all proceedings in any court of this state. See Kentucky Statutes 446.010
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Sworn: includes "affirmed" in all cases in which an affirmation may be substituted for an oath. See Kentucky Statutes 446.010
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

(2) In a contested paternity case, the child and all other parties shall submit to genetic testing upon a request of any such party which shall be supported by a sworn statement of the party, except for good cause.
(3) Genetic test results are admissible and shall be weighed along with other evidence of the alleged father’s paternity.
(4) Any objection to genetic testing results shall be made in writing to the court within twenty (20) days of receipt of genetic test results. If the results of genetic tests or the expert’s analysis of inherited characteristics is disputed, the court, upon reasonable request of a party, shall order that an additional test be made by the same laboratory or independent laboratory at the expense of the party requesting additional testing. If no objection is made, the test results are admissible as evidence of paternity without the need for foundation testimony or other proof of authenticity or accuracy.
(5) Verified documentation of the chain of custody in transmitting the blood specimens is competent evidence to establish the chain of custody.
(6) A verified expert’s report shall be admitted at trial unless the expert is called by a party or the court as a witness to testify to his findings.
(7) Except where the Cabinet for Health and Family Services administratively orders genetic testing, all costs associated with genetic testing shall be paid by the party who requested that the action be brought pursuant to KRS § 406.021.
(8) When administratively ordered, the cabinet shall pay the cost of genetic testing to establish paternity, subject to recoupment from the alleged father when paternity is established. The cabinet shall obtain additional testing in any case if an original test is contested, upon request and advance payment by the contestant.
Effective: July 14, 2018
History: Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 159, sec. 33, effective July 14, 2018. — Amended
2005 Ky. Acts ch. 99, sec. 638, effective June 20, 2005. — Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 255, sec. 30, effective July 15, 1998. — Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 330, sec. 18, effective July 15, 1994. — Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 434, sec. 9, effective July 14,
1992. — Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 379, sec. 5, effective July 13, 1984. — Created
1964 Ky. Acts ch. 37, sec. 9.