Alabama § 26-17-503 Requirements for Genetic Testing

Alabama Statutes

§ 26-17-503 — Requirements for Genetic Testing

Alabama § 26-17-503

Title 26Infants and Incompetents

Ch. 17Alabama Uniform Parentage Act

Art. 5Genetic Testing

This text of Alabama § 26-17-503 (Requirements for Genetic Testing) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Alabama primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Ala. Code § 26-17-503 (2026).

Text

(a)Genetic testing must be of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in the field of genetic testing and performed in a testing laboratory accredited by:

(1)the American Association of Blood Banks, or a successor to its functions;

(2)the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, or a successor to its functions; or

(3)an accrediting body designated by the federal Secretary of Health and Human Services.

(b)A specimen used in genetic testing may consist of one or more samples, or a combination of samples, of blood, buccal cells, bone, hair, or other body tissue or fluid. The specimen used in the testing need not be of the same kind for each individual undergoing genetic testing.

(c)Based on the ethnic or racial group of an individual, the testing laboratory shall det

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(a) Genetic testing must be of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in the field of genetic testing and performed in a testing laboratory accredited by:
(1) the American Association of Blood Banks, or a successor to its functions;
(2) the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, or a successor to its functions; or
(3) an accrediting body designated by the federal Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(b) A specimen used in genetic testing may consist of one or more samples, or a combination of samples, of blood, buccal cells, bone, hair, or other body tissue or fluid. The specimen used in the testing need not be of the same kind for each individual undergoing genetic testing.
(c) Based on the ethnic or racial group of an individual, the testing laboratory shall determine the databases from which to select frequencies for use in calculation of the probability of paternity. If there is disagreement as to the testing laboratory’s choice, the following rules apply:
(1) The court, upon motion, may require the testing laboratory, prior to final adjudication of paternity, to recalculate the probability of paternity using an ethnic or racial group different from that used by the laboratory.
(2) The individual objecting to the testing laboratory’s initial choice shall:
(A) if the frequencies are not available to the testing laboratory for the ethnic or racial group requested, provide the requested frequencies compiled in a manner recognized by accrediting bodies; or
(B) engage another testing laboratory to perform the calculations.
(3) The testing laboratory may use its own statistical estimate if there is a question regarding which ethnic or racial group is appropriate. If available, the testing laboratory shall calculate the frequencies using statistics for any other ethnic or racial group requested.
(d) If, after recalculation using a different ethnic or racial group, genetic testing does not rebuttably identify a man as the father of a child under Section 26-17-505, an individual who has been tested may be required to submit to additional genetic testing.