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New Law Mandates DNA Paternity Tests

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM) -- Genetic testing is only getting better, and one of the state laws which take effect on Jan. 1, 2011, is changing with the times as well.

As WBBM Newsradio 780's Dave Dahl reports, the law concerns updating the procedures used to test DNA samples in paternity cases.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Dave Dahl reports.

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State Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), the House sponsor for the bill, says being a lawmaker is about solving problems.

"One of the problems that we see in Illinois is wrongfully-accused fathers, so what we want to do is make sure that we're able to have the paternal fathers identified so that they can be responsible for their offspring," Ford said.

Ford said since DNA testing is more than 99 percent accurate, the laws on the books need to be changed to conform.

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