Fathers and Families- June 20, 2012

Michigan Protects Biological Fathers’ Rights Child Support Guidelines Under Review in South Dakota

June 20, 2012

Top Story Michigan Protects Biological Fathers’ Rights Governor Rick Snyder Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed into law Senate Bill 557, giving biological fathers some rights to their children, even if the mothers were married to other men at the time of a child's birth. The previous 1956 law presumed that a woman's husband is the father of her children, making the husband responsible for their support and denying parental rights to the biological father. Lawmakers recently passed four bills extending rights to biological fathers. In a statement, Governor Snyder said "children thrive with parental involvement" and said “the legislation promotes increased involvement by making it easier to recognize biological fathers.” Titled the Revocation of Paternity Act, the law permits a biological father the right to establish paternity of a child born or conceived during a marriage during the first three years of the child’s life. In light of this new legislation, there is a grace period of one year from the time the legislation is enacted, permitting fathers to establish paternity under this new law. The legislation provides for court-ordered DNA testing. The mother, the acknowledged father, or the “alleged” father may file seeking the DNA testing to establish paternity. Child Support Guidelines Under Review in South Dakota By Lewis Martin, Member, Fathers and Families The Commission on Child Support is conducting its required four-year review of South Dakota’s child support guidelines. The commission must submit its report and recommendations to Governor Dennis Daugaard by December 31. As part of this review, the Commission on Child Support has scheduled a series of public hearings this summer to collect information that could be used to change South Dakota’s child support guidelines and related laws. Monday, June 11th 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. CDT Conference Room 3 - Kneip Building - First Floor 700 Governors Drive Pierre, SD 57501 Monday, July 2, 2012 6:00 – 8:00 pm MDT Lincoln Room - Ramkota Hotel 2111 N. LaCrosse Street Rapid City, SD 57701 Monday, August 13, 2012 6:00 – 8:00 pm CDT Palisades rooms 1 & 2 - Holiday Inn City Centre 100 W. 8th Street Sioux Falls, SD 57104 To lead the review, the Commission appointed these members to the Governor’s Commission on Child Support to review the child support guidelines. Rick Cronin, Non-Custodial Parent, Ft. Pierre Rebecca Mattern, Custodial Parent, Aberdeen Tom Lee, Child Support Referee, Pierre Margaret Gillespie, Attorney, Alcester Representative Brian Gosch, Rapid City Senator Ried Holien, Watertown Judge Patricia Riepel, Sioux Falls Gail Stoltenburg, Division of Child Support, Pierre Written comments or suggestions may also be submitted to the commission by September 12, 2012, by mailing them to: Department of Social Services Attn: Child Support Commission 700 Governors Drive Pierre, SD 57501-2291 Or by emailing. You may wish to read the 2008 Final Report of the South Dakota Commission on Child Support in order to prepare your comments or suggestions. In the News Judge Protects Children from Innocent Dad Happy Father’s Day! Daughter Pitted Against Dad Busting Myths About Marriage Illinois Protects Visitation Time Mission Fathers and Families improves the lives of children and strengthens society by protecting the child’s right to the love and care of both parents after separation or divorce. We seek better lives for children through family court reform that establishes equal rights and responsibilities for fathers and mothers. Vision Fathers and Families’ vision is a society in which: Children are happier and more successful because their loving bonds are protected after parental separation or divorce: Children have a natural right to be nurtured and guided by both parents: Society treats fathers and mothers as equally important to the wellbeing of their children: Shared parenting after separation or divorce is the norm: The courts arrange finances after separation or divorce so that both mothers and fathers can afford to house and care for their children and themselves: and Our society understands and respects the essential role of fathers. Fathers and Families PO Box 270760 Boston, Massachusetts 02127-0760 (617) 542-9300 www.fathersandfamilies.org info@fathersandfamilies.org This email contains a promotional message from the non-profit organization Fathers and Families. © 2012. Fathers and Families. All Rights Reserved.