Sec. 1. 19-A MRSA §1553, as amended by PL 1997, c. 537, §16 and affected by §62, is further amended by adding after the first paragraph a new paragraph to read:

Pending a paternity action, the court may order the alleged father to pay to the plaintiff, or to the attorney for the plaintiff, sufficient money for the prosecution of the action.

Sec. 2. 19-A MRSA §1654, as amended by PL 1999, c. 731, Pt. ZZZ, §34 and affected by §42, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

§1654. Parenting and support when parents live apart

1.__Jurisdiction.__If the father and mother of a minor child are living apart, the Probate Court or District Court in the county or division where either resides, upon complaint of either and after notice to the other as the court may order, may make an order awarding parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child in accordance with this chapter.__The jurisdiction granted by this section is limited by the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, if another state may have jurisdiction as provided in that Act.

2.__Attorney's fees.__Pending an action under this section, a court may order either party to pay to the other party, or to the attorney for the other party, sufficient money for the defense or prosecution of the action.__When entering a final order, the court may order either party to pay reasonable attorney's fees.

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes the court to order either party to pay attorney's fees in an action to determine parental rights and responsibilities.