"Fatherhood Begins at Conception Act"; create.

HB 701, the "Fatherhood Begins at Conception Act," requires Mississippi courts to order fathers of unborn children to provide financial support for the pregnant mother, including medical expenses during pregnancy and for two years after birth. It amends multiple statutes to extend a father’s legal obligation to cover the mother’s pregnancy-related medical care, mental health needs, and dietary requirements traceable to childbirth, regardless of marital status. The bill specifies that court-ordered support must include these costs as a default, with adjustments only if a court finds the guidelines unjust in a specific case. This directly affects unmarried pregnant women seeking financial support from non-marital fathers and alters how Mississippi calculates child support obligations under state law.