Enact the Putative Fathers Matter Act to require notice to putative fathers regarding child welfare hearings and companionship or visitation.

The Putative Fathers Matter Act requires courts to request the Department of Children and Youth to search the putative father registry before conducting certain child welfare hearings. Courts must provide notice to putative fathers and grandparents with existing companionship or visitation orders. Putative fathers must register with the registry before or within fifteen days of a child's birth. The act also mandates that case plans for children in temporary custody include a permanency plan unless it is documented that such a plan would not be in the child's best interest.

Enact the Putative Fathers Matter Act to require notice to putative fathers regarding child welfare hearings and companionship or visitation.

The Putative Fathers Matter Act requires courts to request the Department of Children and Youth to search the putative father registry before conducting certain child welfare hearings. Courts must provide notice to putative fathers and grandparents with existing companionship or visitation orders. Putative fathers must register with the registry before or within fifteen days of a child's birth. The act also mandates that case plans for children in temporary custody include a permanency plan unless it is documented that such a plan would not be in the child's best interest.