State Department of Health & Human Resources Ex Rel. Cline v. Pentasuglia

WORKMAN, Justice:

This case is before the Court pursuant to the certified question entered on August 23, 1993, by the Circuit Court of Mercer County. 1 In an order entered on that same day, the circuit court dismissed a paternity proceeding initiated by the State of Virginia pursuant to the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act (“RURESA”), West Virginia Code §§ 48A-7-1 to -41 (1995). 2 The dismissal was based upon the grounds that the child and the State were barred from seeking to establish paternity against the Respondent. This decision was based on the fact that a prior…