ADOPTION: MISIDENTIFICATION OF BIOLOGICAL FATHER
House Bill 4638
Sponsor: Rep. Andrew Raczkowski
Committee: Civil Law and the Judiciary
Complete to 4-30-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4638 AS INTRODUCED 4-19-01
The bill would add a new section to the Michigan Adoption Code (chapter 10 of the Probate Code) to prohibit individuals from knowingly misidentifying someone as the biological father of a child undergoing adoption and to add criminal penalties for such violations.
More specifically, when placing a child for adoption, an individual would be prohibited from knowingly misidentifying another person as the child's biological father to one or more of the following:
· A court, or one of its employees or agents;
· The Family Independence Agency;
· A child placing agency;
· An interested party.
Someone who knowingly misidentified someone else as the biological father of a child undergoing adoption would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of up to $1,000, or both. A criminal penalty allowed by the bill could be imposed in addition to any penalty that might be imposed for any other criminal offense arising from the same conduct.
MCL 710.69a
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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.