Lawmakers propose leaving fathers out of adoption decision.

After a six-year custody battle in the Missouri's court, lawmakers aim to allow an adoption of a child to take place without the father's consent.

The bill was written in response to a 2007 Supreme Court case.

In 2004, Craig Lentz and girlfriend Ibbaanika Bond had a child. Lentz did not have his name put on the birth certificate because he was waiting for the results of a DNA test to prove he was the father of the child.

Missouri law requires that a father must declare paternity within 15 days of a child's birth. While waiting to receive the results of the test, the 15 days had passed. After this time, the child was placed in the home of a couple in Texas, for the purpose of adoption. The child was placed temporarily with the Texas family, who filed a petition for transfer of custody and adoption of the child, which stated the father was unknown. Bond agreed to the adoption.

When Lentz was notified of the adoption proceedings, he filed with the putative father registry and an amended birth certificate was issued, listing Lentz as the father. Lentz sought to intervene in the adoption, claiming that he was the father of the child.

The House passed a measure that would allow the adoption of a child to take place without the consent of the father, if he has not previously developed a consistent and substantial relationship with the child.

The definition of "consistent and substantial relationship," has not been specifically defined in Missouri law. The bill seeks to express clearly the actions a father must take to develop a consistent and substantial relationship.

Under the legislation a father must provide prenatal financial support, child support payments and have consistent contact and visitation with the child.