HB 1355

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Amends the circumstances under which the department of child services (DCS), or a prosecuting attorney on behalf of DCS, may file a paternity action as next friend of a child. Provides that a child who is the subject of: (1) a petition alleging that the child is a child in need of services (CHINS); or (2) a proceeding to terminate parental rights; may initiate a paternity action on the child's own behalf through the child's next friend. Specifies the basis for survival of orders of a court in a CHINS or delinquency action when a separate court has reciprocal jurisdiction over the child in a concurrent paternity action.