Pennsylvania House Bill HB350

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/7/25
• Refer: 4/7/25
• Refer: 6/10/25
• Report Pass: 6/16/25
• Refer: 6/16/25
• Report Pass: 6/17/25
• Engrossed: 6/23/25
• Refer: 6/24/25

Caption

In intestate succession, further providing for rules of succession; in administration and personal representatives, providing for liability of executor; in proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for rules of succession, for hearing, for alternative procedure for relinquishment and for hearing; in support matters generally, further providing general administration of support matters, repealing provisions relating to paternity and further providing for continuing jurisdiction over support orders; in general provisions relating to children and minors, repealing provisions relating to acknowledgment and claim of paternity; in jurisdiction, further providing for bases for jurisdiction over nonresident; enacting the Uniform Parentage Act; providing for parent-child relationship for certain individuals, for voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, for genetic testing, for proceeding to adjudicate parentage, for assisted reproduction, for surrogacy agreements and for information about donors; and, in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for original jurisdiction and venue.

Impact

The amendments contained within HB 350 directly affect Title 20, Title 23, and Title 42 of the Pennsylvania statutes. By implementing the Uniform Parentage Act, the bill aims to standardize how parentage is established and recognized, making the process clearer and more equitable for families navigating complex reproductive and custody situations. Additionally, the bill addresses the liability of executors concerning estates by clarifying that they will not be held liable if they fail to establish parent-child relationships resulting from assisted reproductive technologies if proper notifications are not given.

Summary

House Bill 350 aims to amend several sections of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, primarily concerning intestate succession, parentage, and child support regulations. This legislation introduces the Uniform Parentage Act, which establishes guidelines for recognizing parent-child relationships for various situations, including those arising from assisted reproduction and surrogacy agreements. Notably, the bill provides that children conceived before a parent's death but born thereafter will have rights as if they were born during the parent's lifetime. This expands legal protections for children born via modern reproductive technologies.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 350 is largely supportive among advocates for family rights and modern reproductive practices. Proponents argue that the bill updates outdated laws to reflect contemporary family dynamics and technological advancements in parenting. However, some concerns were raised about the implications of genetic testing provisions and the potential for disputes regarding parentage and custody to increase, leading to more litigation.

Contention

Significant points of contention within HB 350 include the legal complexities associated with defining parentage in cases of assisted reproduction and surrogacy. Critics of the bill express concern that the changes might lead to unanticipated legal conflicts over parental rights and responsibilities, especially in scenarios involving multiple intended parents or where genetic ties are not clear-cut. Additionally, the lack of specific provisions governing potential disputes over assisted reproduction raises questions about how future legal challenges could unfold.