3. Nonexclusion of alleged father. If the alleged father is not excluded by the test results and he does not, within 15 days of the mailing to him of a copy of the blood or tissue-typing test results and report, execute and deliver to the department by ordinary mail an acknowledgment of paternity of the child in accordance with the laws of the state in which the child was born, the department may file the record of the proceeding, including the blood or tissue-typing test results, in a court as a paternity proceeding. Section 1561 applies Sections 1904, 1905 and 1941 apply to the action even though the tests were performed and the results prepared as part of an administrative proceeding. The alleged father's participation in the tests may not prejudice any application by the alleged father under section 1559 1903 for an order appointing an additional examiner of blood or tissue types.

Sec. B-17. 19-A MRSA §1616, as reallocated by RR 1997, c. 1, §15, is repealed.

Sec. B-18. 19-A MRSA §1651, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:

§1651. Parents joint natural guardians of children

The father and mother parents are the joint natural guardians of their minor children and are jointly entitled to the care, custody, control, services and earnings of their children. Neither parent has any rights paramount to the rights of the other with reference to any matter affecting their children.

Sec. B-19. 19-A MRSA §1654, as amended by PL 1999, c. 731, Pt. ZZZ, §34 and affected by §42, is further amended to read:

§1654. Parenting and support when parents live apart

If the father and mother parents 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.