Mills v. Habluetzel

Summary

The Supreme Court held that Texas's one‑year statute of limitation for paternity suits by illegitimate children violates the Equal Protection Clause because it does not provide a reasonable opportunity to assert support claims and is not substantially related to the State’s interest in avoiding stale or fraudulent claims. The Court reversed the Texas Court of Civil Appeals and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Justice O’Connor’s concurrence cautioned that the decision should not be read as endorsing the newer four‑year limitation.