Opinion ID: 1965145
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Summary and Effect on Remand

Text: We hold that 1995 Maryland Laws, Chapter 248 was intended by the Legislature to be applied to all paternity cases, whenever initiated. Thus, anyone who has had a paternity declaration entered against him prior to October 1, 1995, without blood and genetic testing, generally may initiate proceedings to modify or set aside that declaration under section 5-1038(a)(2)(i)2 of the Family Law Article. [18] In those proceedings, the putative father may, by motion, request a blood or genetic test, pursuant to section 5-1029, in order to confirm or deny paternity, which is admissible in evidence under the provisions of that statute. A determination of the best interests of the child in ordering the requested testing, or in the consideration of paternity, whether original or revised, is inappropriate. Our holding today applies only to proceedings to modify or set aside a paternity declaration; an attempt to modify or set aside any other order resulting from an original paternity declaration is governed by section 5-1038(b). In addition, the holding of this Court does not necessarily affect any child support already paid or in arrears as of the date of the filing of these respective proceedings at the trial court. Pursuant to these holdings, respondent Tyrone W. and appellant William Langston are entitled to initiate proceedings below to set aside the paternity declarations entered against them prior to October 1, 1995. In case number 117, appellant Langston has already taken a blood test, which has conclusively excluded him as the biological father. Pursuant to section 5-1029(f) of the Family Law Article, he may admit those test results into evidence at his hearing to set aside the paternity declaration. In case numbers 136 and 137, both men may seek blood or genetic tests to determine whether they are the biological fathers of the children in question. The paternity tests should be administered and, if conclusive, admitted into evidence, pursuant to section 5-1029. If the testing excludes paternity, and the lower courts set aside either paternity judgment, the holding of this Court does not necessarily affect any child support already paid or the support arrears proven by the mothers to be due and owing as of the time of the original filings of these reconsideration proceedings in the trial court. Thus, in respondent Tyrone W.'s appeal, case number 136, we affirm the decision of the Court of Special Appeals. In cases 117 and 137, we vacate the dismissal of appellant Langston's complaints and remand the case for further proceedings.