Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 119a - Child Support Enforcement
Section 3a - Establishment of Paternity; Genetic Marker Tests

Section 3A. In any case requiring the establishment of paternity, the IV–D agency may, on the basis of an affidavit by the mother or the putative father alleging that sexual intercourse between the mother and putative father occurred during the probable period of conception and without the necessity of obtaining an order from a court, order the mother, the child and the putative father to submit to genetic marker tests; provided, however, that the IV–D agency may order such tests only if no other man is presumed to be the father under section 6 of chapter 209C. Notice of the order shall be served on the obligor and individual obligee in accordance with rule 4(d)(2) of the Massachusetts Rules of Domestic Relations Procedure. Upon receipt of the results of the genetic marker tests, the IV–D agency may provide the parties with an opportunity to voluntarily acknowledge parentage pursuant to chapter 209C. If the parties do not voluntarily acknowledge parentage as provided in chapter 209C, the IV–D agency may commence an action to establish paternity pursuant to chapter 209C. If any party fails to appear for or refuses to submit to genetic marker tests in accordance with the order of the IV–D agency, or if any party contests the jurisdiction of the IV–D agency to issue the order for genetic marker tests, the IV–D agency shall commence an action to establish paternity pursuant to chapter 209C.

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