Filing of paternity action by local prosecuting attorney's office

Sec. 6. (a) This section applies whenever a child who was born out of wedlock is: (1) or is alleged to be a child in need of services; and (2) under the supervision of the department or a local office as a result of a court ordered out-of-home placement. (b) The department or the local office may refer a child's case to the local prosecuting attorney's office for the filing of a paternity action if the: (1) identity of the alleged father is known; and (2) department or the local office reasonably believes that establishing the paternity of the child would be beneficial to the child. The local prosecuting attorney's office shall file a paternity action regarding each case that is referred under this subsection. As added by P.L.103-1997, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.305; P.L.128-2012, SEC.162; P.L.150-2018, SEC.21.