40-5-234. Paternity genetic tests — use of expert’s affidavit — effect of test results — records — presumption. (1) The department shall appoint an expert who is qualified in examining genetic markers to conduct any paternity genetic test required by 40-5-233.

Terms Used In Montana Code 40-5-234

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Affidavit: means a sworn written declaration made before an officer authorized to administer oaths or an unsworn written declaration made under penalty of perjury as provided in 1-6-105. See Montana Code 1-1-203
  • Alleged father: means a person who is alleged to have engaged in sexual intercourse with a child's mother during a possible time of conception of the child or a person who is presumed to be a child's father under the provisions of 40-6-105. See Montana Code 40-5-201
  • Child: means :

    (i)a person under 18 years of age who is not otherwise emancipated, self-supporting, married, or a member of the armed forces of the United States;

    (ii)a person under 19 years of age and still in high school;

    (iii)a person who is mentally or physically incapacitated if the incapacity began prior to the person's 18th birthday; or

    (iv)in a IV-D case, a person for whom:

    (A)support rights are assigned under 53-2-613;

    (B)a public assistance payment has been made;

    (C)the department is providing support enforcement services under 40-5-203; or

    (D)the department has received a referral for IV-D services from an agency of another state or an Indian tribe under the provisions of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, or Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. See Montana Code 40-5-201

  • Department: means the department of public health and human services. See Montana Code 40-5-201
  • 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.
  • Paternity genetic test: means a test that demonstrates through examination of genetic markers either that an alleged father is not the natural father of a child or that there is a probability that an alleged father is the natural father of a child. See Montana Code 40-5-201
  • Support order: means an order, whether temporary or final, that:

    (a)provides for the payment of a specific amount of money, expressed in periodic increments or as a lump-sum amount, for the support of the child, including an amount expressed in dollars for medical and health needs, child care, education, recreation, clothing, transportation, and other related expenses and costs specific to the needs of the child;

    (b)is issued by:

    (i)a district court of this state;

    (ii)a court of appropriate jurisdiction of another state, Indian tribe, or foreign country;

    (iii)an administrative agency pursuant to proceedings under this part; or

    (iv)an administrative agency of another state, Indian tribe, or foreign country with a hearing function and process similar to those of the department under this part; and

    (c)when the context requires, includes:

    (i)judgments and orders providing periodic payments for the maintenance or support of the custodial parent of a child receiving services under this chapter; and

    (ii)amounts for the recovery of fines, fees, penalties, interest, and other funds and costs that the department is authorized under this chapter to collect by the use of any procedure available for the payment, enforcement, and collection of child support or spousal maintenance or support. See Montana Code 40-5-201

(2)An affidavit documenting the chain of custody of any blood or tissue specimen is admissible to establish the chain of custody.

(3)If the scientific evidence resulting from a paternity genetic test:

(a)conclusively shows that the alleged father could not have been the natural father, the question of paternity must be resolved accordingly. A finding under this subsection is sufficient to overcome a presumption created by 40-6-105.

(b)shows a 95% or higher statistical probability of paternity, the alleged father is presumed to be the natural father of the child. This presumption may be rebutted in an appropriate action in district court by a preponderance of the evidence.

(c)does not exclude the alleged father and shows less than a 95% statistical probability of paternity, the test results may be weighed in conjunction with other evidence to establish paternity.

(4)The department may enter an order of nonpaternity based on a genetic test exclusion and may order the department of public health and human services to prepare an amended or substitute birth certificate.

(5)The department may enter in the support order registry established in 40-5-906 a written finding of any paternity presumption created by paternity genetic test results.

(6)A presumption of paternity established under this section is a sufficient basis for establishing a support order.