Rule 17 - Putative Father(a) Acknowledgement. Whenever in a proceeding involving dependency, neglect, and/or abuse of a child or termination of parental rights, if the court becomes aware that a person not already a party is or may be the father of the child, such person shall be given notice of the proceeding and opportunity to participate upon acknowledgment of paternity and subsequent court order establishing paternity.(b) Denial. In the event that a person named by the mother as a putative father appears and denies that he is the biological father of the child, the court shall direct that the putative father execute a written denial of paternity in a form to be approved by the court. Execution of such a document by the putative father shall constitute prima facie evidence of his denial of paternity. Upon execution of the denial of paternity form, the court shall find that the Department of Children, Youth, and Families has no duty to make reasonable efforts to strengthen and encourage the relationship between the child and the putative father.(c) Determination of Paternity. If an alleged putative father appears and neither admits nor denies paternity, the court may order the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to refer the putative father, within five (5) days, for a determination of paternity.(d) Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Testing. If DNA testing is obtained, a copy of the report shall be filed with the court for a determination to be made regarding paternity. A written order of the court's findings shall be prepared by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families and provided to vital statistics if the birth certificate is to be amended.Adopted March 1, 2019, effective 7/1/2019; amended April 30, 2019, effective 11/4/2019; amended November 5, 2019, effective 1/6/2020.