It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 15-8-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 15-8 entitled "Uniform Law on Paternity" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 15-8-11. Blood tests. -- ADD} (a) In a proceeding under this chapter before trial, the court, upon application made by or on behalf of any party to the action, or on its own motion, shall order that the mother, child, alleged father, and any other party to the action submit to blood or tissue typing tests which may include, but are not limited to, tests of red cell antigens, red cell isoenzymes, human leukocyte antigens, serum proteins, and other genetic testing, to determine whether the alleged father is likely to be, or is not, the father of the child. {DEL A blood or tissue typing test of a child shall not be taken before the child reaches the age of six (6) months. DEL} If, at the trial in a proceeding under this chapter, it is shown that a party refused to submit to court-ordered blood or tissue typing tests, the refusal shall be considered by the jury, or the court without a jury, along with all other evidence presented on the issue of paternity.

(b) A blood or tissue typing test shall be made by a person the court determines is qualified as an examiner of blood or tissue types.

(c) The court shall fix or approve the compensation of any expert at a reasonable amount, and may direct the compensation to be paid by the state, or by any other party to the case, or by both, in the proportions and at the times the court prescribes, and that, after payment by a party, all or part or none of the payment shall be taxed as costs in the action. Before the making of a blood or tissue typing test, the court may order any part or all of the compensation paid in advance.

(d) The result of a blood or tissue typing test and, if a determination of exclusion of paternity cannot be made, a calculation of the probability of paternity made by a person the court determines is qualified as an examiner of blood or tissue types based on the result of a blood or tissue typing test shall be admissible in evidence in the trial of the case.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.