DNA testing may help name fathers

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Jeb Bush wants more fathers to pay child support in paternity cases and is willing to pay for DNA tests to make it happen.

Bush's proposal, which still needs legislative approval, calls for the state to offer DNA testing for suspected fathers who are willing to be tested.

Once paternity is established, child support payments could be ordered by the state Department of Revenue instead of through family court.

That would reduce the time needed to schedule court hearings and would get the money in the mothers' hands faster, said Bush, who announced his plan Monday.

"Everybody believes our children deserve more than they are getting," Bush said.

About 40 percent of children in Florida are born out of wedlock. Some of the mothers of those children have a tough time collecting support from the men they say are the fathers.

Bush wants to use DNA to help establish the paternity of newborns where that is in doubt, as well as for 800,000 children who don't have a legally recognized father.

The proposal is just the latest in which Bush, an admitted technophile who's been christened the "E-Governor," has sought to streamline government services through technology.

A federal grant would pay for most of the DNA testing, with the state picking up 10 percent of the tab, said Jim Zingale, executive director of the Department of Revenue.

Using that same federal grant, certain hospitals and birthing centers also would get an incentive - like a rebate - for every birth certificate signed by an unwed father, another legally binding admission of paternity, Zingale said.

In addition, Bush's plan would make it easier for parents to enlist the revenue department when the other parent falls behind on child support, including waiving the $25 fee.

Bush and the lawmakers who plan to sponsor his proposal in the Legislature say encouraging parents to collect the support owed their children is a good way to keep noncustodial parents involved in their childrens' lives.

And the first step is in identifying - without a doubt - who the child's father is. DNA testing leaves no room for doubt, Bush said.

"DNA is DNA is DNA," he said.

As part of the proposal, state child support offices would work closely with the state Agency for Workforce Innovation to ensure that noncustodial parents who want to support their children can find employment, Bush said.

"A lot of people get out of prison and their child support has grown. They may want to do the right thing but may not have the skills to get a job," he said.

The legislation will be sponsored by Sen. Walter "Skip" Campbell, D-Fort Lauderdale and Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton. "We are not creating more obligations. We are making sure the obligations that exist are met," Galvano said.