2025 Session
Last amended: 1984 session
§ 609.31 — Leaving State to Evade Establishment of Paternity
Plain-Language Summary
It is a felony for a man to leave Minnesota to avoid paternity proceedings if he knows a woman he had sex with is pregnant or gave birth within the last 60 days. The penalty is up to two years in prison, a fine up to $4,000, or both.
609.31 LEAVING STATE TO EVADE ESTABLISHMENT OF PATERNITY.
Whoever with intent to evade proceedings to establish his paternity leaves the state knowing that a woman with whom he has had sexual intercourse is pregnant or has given birth within the previous 60 days to a living child may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years or to payment of a fine of not more than $4,000, or both.
History:
1967 c 507 s 8; 1984 c 628 art 3 s 11
History: History: 1967 c 507 s 8; 1984 c 628 art 3 s 11
Practical Notes
This law is designed to prevent men from fleeing the state to avoid being legally identified as a father and being required to pay child support. The intent to evade the paternity proceedings must be proven. Simply leaving the state for other reasons while a woman is pregnant is not enough for a conviction.