Donor is a Donor, not a Dad

Is a known sperm donor a dad, or just a donor? What if the donor was in the child’s life for the first few years? Well, in California, unless an agreement was signed prior to conception, the donor is just a donor. Actor Jason Patric has been making headlines for the past several months over a legal battle he has undertaken. He is making progress and it’s quite possible there will be a favorable outcome in terms of legislation that is being proposed.

The 47-year-old is in Sacramento lobbying politicians for a proposal that allows the law to define him as a dad. A court has already ruled he’s just a sperm donor. “Because you’re a donor, you are not allowed to prove in any other statute or any other way, you’re a parent, even though I’m the biological father,” said Patric.

Patric’s drama started when he and his former girlfriend, Danielle Schreiber, agreed to have a child through artificial insemination. He was even a part of his son’s life for more than two years. The actor could have been considered the legal father if a signed agreement granting him that status was in place prior to conception. After a split and no legally binding contract in place, he lost custody and hasn’t seen the now 3-year-old for months.

More from ABC News below:

St. Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, doesn’t like what he calls “the Hollywood circus” his bill has created. He just wants to help men and same-sex couples who have been in that situation.

“Because of the PR hype, it has lost its focus. To me the focus is parenting. What’s in the best interest of the child?” said Hill.

Calls to Schreiber’s Sacramento representative were not returned, but the California Cryobank is also opposed to changing the 25-year-old law that protects birth mothers from custody battles.

Alice Crisci, who is eight months pregnant through an anonymous donor, says we shouldn’t get in the middle of a court battle.

“The reality is he’s seeking to impact a few number of men that then disrupts tens of thousands of families. That seems like an irresponsible use of creating new laws,” said Crisci.

Patric insists Hill’s proposal just gives him and others a fighting chance to be part of their child’s life.

“This doesn’t give you your son back, your daughter back. It gives you the opportunity to go to court and present your evidence,” said Patric.

Schreiber attorney recently told ABC7News they hope lawmakers do not interfere with the rights they were promised.

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