1 Proving paternity.

• Position: STATELINE - Mississippi to order paternity tests for children born as a result of teenage pregnancies - Brief article

In Mississippi, if a girl under 16 gives birth and won't name the father, authorities must order a sample of her umbilical cord blood to help prove paternity through DNA testing. Representative Andy Gipson (R), the new law's sponsor, hopes it makes it easier to prosecute statutory rape cases and lower Mississippi's stubbornly high teen pregnancy rate. Experts say teen morns often shield the identities of the fathers, many of whom are...