311.19 Good Cause: Acceptable Reasons SR 94-04, 04/94 (FAM-A)

Good cause for refusal to cooperate exists in the following instances:

• when efforts to establish paternity or secure support are against the best interests of the child and could result in:

- physical or emotional harm to the child, or

- physical or emotional harm to the parent/caretaker relative sufficient to reduce the capacity of that person to care for the child adequately,

• when the child was conceived as a result of incest or forcible rape,

• when proceedings for adoption of the child are pending in a court,

• when a social service agency—either public or licensed private—is helping the parent/caretaker relative decide whether to relinquish the child for adoption, but only when the discussions have been going on for less than 3 months.

To qualify as good cause, the threat of physical or emotional harm must be of a serious nature. Consider the following:

• the probability that the individual’s cooperation could lead to physical or emotional harm to the child or parent/caretaker relative.

• the true cause-effect relationship between the individual’s cooperation and any subsequent threat of physical or emotional harm.

• the current emotional condition of the child or parent/caretaker relative subject to emotional harm, and the emotional health history of that individual.

• the probable duration and intensity of emotional impairment.

• the degree of involvement required of the parent/caretaker relative and the child necessary to establish paternity.

• the extent of support enforcement activity to be undertaken on the child’s or parent/caretaker relative’s behalf.