VirginiaHB2242026 Regular SessionHouse

Paternity; proceedings to establish.

Sponsored By: Patrick A. Hope (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Proceedings to establish paternity. Adds the methods by which the Department of Social Services administratively establishes paternity for the purposes of child support enforcement to the lists of ways that a parent and child relationship may be established in domestic relations proceedings under Title 20 and that a parent and child relationship may be established for determining rights related to a deed, will, trust, or other instrument. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Boyd-Graves Conference.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Easier ways to establish parentage

Proof that a woman gave birth establishes maternity. A scientifically reliable DNA or blood test showing at least 98% probability establishes paternity like a court judgment. A voluntary sworn acknowledgment signed by both parents has the same effect; either parent may cancel it within 60 days unless a court or agency order came first. Sworn acknowledgments signed before July 1, 1990, still count as judgments. Parentage can also be set by lawful adoption, by the state procedures under Sections 63.2-1913 and 63.2-1914, and for assisted conception by the listed chapters.

Parentage rules that affect inheritance

An adopted person is the legal child of the adoptive parent, not the biological parents, except in a stepparent adoption. A child born outside marriage is the mother's child; a man is the father if the parents took part in a marriage ceremony or paternity is proven by clear and convincing evidence, including reliable genetic testing. Even with such proof, the father or his kin inherit only if he openly treated the child as his and did not refuse support. For a child born out of wedlock to claim from a deceased parent, an affidavit and a parentage case must be filed within one year, unless parentage was already on the birth record, admitted under oath, or ruled by a court. If a parent's residual parental rights are terminated, that parent loses the right to inherit from or through the child unless the order says otherwise.

Parentage barred after sexual crimes

The law bars legal parentage when a child was conceived due to certain sexual crimes. This applies if the person was convicted or found by clear and convincing evidence. The bar does not apply if the parents later live together and share custody, or if that person lets the other parent establish parentage.

Who can start a parentage case

You can start a parentage case with a sworn petition. The child, a parent, someone claiming to be a parent, a person acting as a parent, a legal custodian, or a state social services or juvenile justice representative may file. A child may be a party; if the child is a minor, the court appoints a guardian ad litem. The child's mother or father cannot serve as the child's guardian. Circuit courts share jurisdiction with juvenile and domestic relations courts when parentage is at issue, and decisions bind only the parties.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Patrick A. Hope

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 223 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/10/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/4/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s)

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 1/28/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0369)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 369 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB224)

    3/31/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB224ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/9/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/9/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Courts of Justice (14-Y 0-N)

    3/5/2026Senate
  16. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB224)

    2/18/2026House
  17. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    2/11/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/11/2026Senate
  19. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/10/2026House
  20. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB224)

    2/9/2026House
  21. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/9/2026House
  22. committee amendments agreed to

    2/9/2026House
  23. Read second time

    2/9/2026House
  24. Read first time

    2/6/2026House
  25. Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)

    2/4/2026House

Bill Text

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