Editing Openai/6951285d-0934-8002-86e1-c274e98323d4 (section)

=== Assistant: Below is a comprehensive summary of the key Official Code of Georgia Annotated OCGA statutes that govern DNA/genetic te… ===
Below is a comprehensive summary of the key Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) statutes that govern DNA/genetic testing for establishing paternity/maternity and child support obligations, including how they apply in situations involving incarcerated individuals (prisoners), why these laws exist, and what legal effects they have.

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* Who may file: The child, the mother, an alleged father, a relative caring for the child, or the Georgia Department of Human Services on behalf of the child. FindLaw Codes<ref>{{cite web|title=FindLaw Codes|url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-19-domestic-relations/ga-code-sect-19-7-43/|publisher=FindLaw Codes|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>
* Genetic testing orders: The statute authorizes courts and the Department of Human Services to order genetic testing of the mother, alleged father, and child if paternity hasn’t been established or is contested. FindLaw Codes<ref>{{cite web|title=FindLaw Codes|url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-19-domestic-relations/ga-code-sect-19-7-43/|publisher=FindLaw Codes|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>
* Exceptions: Testing cannot be undertaken if the child was adopted by the applicant or conceived by artificial insemination. FindLaw Codes<ref>{{cite web|title=FindLaw Codes|url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-19-domestic-relations/ga-code-sect-19-7-43/|publisher=FindLaw Codes|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>

👉 Why this statute matters: It provides the procedural authority to compel DNA testing in disputes about parentage and child support.

===== - Standards for testing: All DNA/genetic tests ordered by a court must be conducted by qualified professionals and through an accredited laboratory. Justia<ref>{{cite web|title=Justia|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-7/article-3/section-19-7-45/|publisher=law.justia.com|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref> =====
* Timing: If paternity proceedings begin before a child is born, the court must order testing as soon as medically feasible after birth. Justia<ref>{{cite web|title=Justia|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-7/article-3/section-19-7-45/|publisher=law.justia.com|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>
* Enforcement: Orders for testing are enforceable by contempt, and refusal to submit may result in dismissal of a paternity action. Justia<ref>{{cite web|title=Justia|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-7/article-3/section-19-7-45/|publisher=law.justia.com|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>
* Privacy and disposal: Collected genetic material is kept confidential and destroyed within a reasonable time. Justia<ref>{{cite web|title=Justia|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-7/article-3/section-19-7-45/|publisher=law.justia.com|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>

👉 Why this statute matters: It ensures scientific credibility and fairness in DNA testing for legal purposes.

===== - Admissibility: Court-ordered genetic test results are admissible without additional authenticity proof. FindLaw Codes<ref>{{cite web|title=FindLaw Codes|url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-19-domestic-relations/ga-code-sect-19-7-46/|publisher=FindLaw Codes|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref> =====
* Rebuttable presumption: There’s a legal presumption of paternity if DNA testing shows at least a 97% probability of paternity. FindLaw Codes<ref>{{cite web|title=FindLaw Codes|url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-19-domestic-relations/ga-code-sect-19-7-46/|publisher=FindLaw Codes|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>
* Overcoming presumption: This presumption can be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence. FindLaw Codes<ref>{{cite web|title=FindLaw Codes|url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-19-domestic-relations/ga-code-sect-19-7-46/|publisher=FindLaw Codes|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>

👉 Why this statute matters: It sets the evidentiary weight of DNA evidence in establishing biological parentage.

===== - Grounds for challenge: A man ordered to pay child support can file a motion to set aside paternity if recent DNA tests show 0% probability of paternity. Justia<ref>{{cite web|title=Justia|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-7/article-3/section-19-7-54/|publisher=law.justia.com|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref> =====
* Conditions: The court can relieve both future and past support obligations if the DNA evidence is valid and specific conditions (e.g., no adoption, no consent or estoppel) are met. Justia<ref>{{cite web|title=Justia|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-7/article-3/section-19-7-54/|publisher=law.justia.com|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>

👉 Why this statute matters: It gives a legal avenue to correct mistakes in paternity determinations, especially with new genetic evidence.

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* Under Georgia law, the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) is required to order genetic testing in all child support cases where paternity hasn’t been established or is contested. PAMMS<ref>{{cite web|title=PAMMS|url=https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/dcss/paternity-establishment/|publisher=pamms.dhs.ga.gov|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>
* This administrative requirement applies regardless of the alleged father’s location — including if he is incarcerated — although logistical issues (such as arranging testing through the Department or with court orders) may arise.

===== There is no separate Georgia statute that exempts incarcerated individuals from paternity DNA testing. The statutes (e.g., § 19-7-43, § 19-7-45, and § 19-7-46) apply without specifying incarceration as a defense or exception. =====
However:
* Courts typically consider prison logistics when ordering DNA tests (for example, coordinating sample collection through correctional facilities or obtaining court orders to allow testing).
* If the Department (DCSS) or court orders testing for an incarcerated alleged parent, the order can be enforced — but coordination with jail/prison officials and/or a court order is usually required to facilitate sample collection.
* Some administrative rules suggest that, for cases involving the Department, the agency must pay testing costs upfront (and recoup from an alleged father later) even if incarcerated. PAMMS<ref>{{cite web|title=PAMMS|url=https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/dcss/paternity-establishment/|publisher=pamms.dhs.ga.gov|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>

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* Ensures that the right individuals are legally obligated to support their children based on biological parentage. childsupport.georgia.gov<ref>{{cite web|title=childsupport.georgia.gov|url=https://childsupport.georgia.gov/programs-services/paternity-establishment|publisher=childsupport.georgia.gov|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>

===== - Prevents non-biological fathers from being unfairly required to pay child support. =====
* Allows fathers who are later excluded by DNA evidence to seek relief from ongoing or past support obligations. Justia<ref>{{cite web|title=Justia|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-7/article-3/section-19-7-54/|publisher=law.justia.com|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>

===== - Establishing paternity has multiple benefits: better child support enforcement, potential access to medical and social benefits, and encouraging relationships with both parents. PAMMS<ref>{{cite web|title=PAMMS|url=https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/dcss/paternity-establishment/|publisher=pamms.dhs.ga.gov|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref> =====

===== - DNA gives courts scientific evidence to make informed decisions about parental rights and obligations. =====

==== Georgia statutes focus on paternity testing, but DNA testing can also establish maternity in certain circumstances (e.g., adoption disputes or immigration/legal claims). Courts recognize scientifically credible DNA evidence as valid for determining any biological parentage, even though the statutes (e.g., § 19-7-46) are written in the context of paternity. secure.ssa.gov<ref>{{cite web|title=secure.ssa.gov|url=https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/1501115012|publisher=secure.ssa.gov|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref> ====

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If you want, I can also provide the full statutory text for each of the above OCGA sections or a step-by-step guide on how DNA testing processes work in practice — including forms, costs, and how courts deal with incarcerated parents.