District Courts occasionally issue orders directing parties to CSS for genetic testing. Sometimes, these parties do not have an open child support case. Per policy 340:25-5-176: When a court orders CSS to provide genetic testing and CSS does not have a case open for services, CSS requires a party to complete an application for services.
When parties without an open child support case appear for genetic testing as ordered by a court, provide an application for at least one of the parties to complete and mail to CIC. Once the case has been opened, CSS then requests an authorization number be generated for that case (See CS Quest article, How to Generate an Authorization Number for Genetic Testing). The authorization number allows CSS to bill the appropriate person for the cost of the genetic testing.
It is important to note that CSS does not provide paternity only services. When a case has been opened due to another court’s direction for genetic testing, it will be a full service case. The case information must be reviewed to determine if any money is owed to the State or if there are current services being expended that require an open CSS case. If so, a Notice to Intervene or a Notice of Necessary Party should be filed into the private action to ensure the State’s interests are addressed. Once an order has been obtained, CSS builds the child support obligation accordingly for enforcement. The parties may request their case be closed by submitting a closure application and the case will close if it meets the criteria for closure per 340:25-5-123. See the CS Quest Case Closure Chart for case closure codes.
Child Welfare may also refer their clients to CSS for genetic testing. CSS can schedule genetic testing for child welfare cases if there is an existing CSS case for the parties. If there is not an existing CSS case, CSS staff should not schedule the parties for testing. Instead, refer these cases back for scheduling to be completed by Child Welfare.
Regarding Costs for Genetic Testing and how they are collected is found in 340-5-25-176.
The individual identified as the father in the genetic testing results is responsible for paying costs. When CSS genetic test results are contested, CSS requests payment on a second genetic test by the requesting party.
For more information on who pays for genetic testing see the CS Quest article Genetic Testing Basic Information.
If you would like to know what the current fees are for genetic tests arranged through CSS, see the CS Quest article Genetic Testing Fees 2007 to Present.