CHILD BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK: PREGNANCY/CHILD'S EXPENSES
House Bill 4013
Sponsor: Rep. Gary A. Newell
Committee: Judiciary
Complete to 1-30-03
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4013 AS INTRODUCED 1-28-03
House Bill 4013 would amend the Paternity Act (Public Act 205 of 1956) to require the circuit court to apportion pregnancy related expenses between the parents of a child born out of wedlock based on each parent's ability to pay.
The act currently states that the parents of a child born out of wedlock are liable for the necessary support and education of the child and for the child's funeral expenses. ("Child born out of wedlock" is defined as "a child begotten and born to a woman who was not married from the conception to the date of birth of the child, or a child that the court has determined to be a child born or conceived during a marriage but not the issue of that marriage".) The act leaves it to the court's discretion to determine the extent of the father's liability for expenses of the mother's confinement and expenses in connection with the pregnancy. The court must admit in proceedings any bills for such expenses.
Under the bill, unmarried parents would remain liable for the support and education of the child and for the child's funeral expenses. The bill would require the court to apportion expenses of the mother's confinement and other pregnancy-related expenses between the parents based on each parent's ability to pay. The court could not apportion the confinement and other pregnancy-related expenses, or the child's funeral expenses, unless the party requesting the apportionment offered as evidence itemized bills for expenses.
MCL 722.712
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.