Law Commission unveils parenthood proposals

Men could be forced to undergo DNA testing to see if they are a child's parent under a rejig of parenthood laws proposed by the Law Commission.

The proposed changes, which aim to define and clarify the legal role of parent, would also extend a presumption of parenthood to men in a wider range of relationships than is currently the case and tighten up the law around surrogacy and in vitro fertilisation.

The proposals are included in a report titled New Issues in Legal Parenthood, tabled in Parliament this morning.

The Minister in charge of the Law Commission, Marian Hobbs said today the proposals focused on the importance of children having clear rules about who are their parents and who has legal responsibility for them.

Because recommendations proposed changes to several acts, several ministries would be involved in preparing the Government's response, which was required to be presented to Parliament within six months.

- NZPA