(a) Failure of a respondent to contest paternity in any proceeding commenced pursuant to this part shall not be construed as an admission of paternity by such respondent, nor shall such failure to contest be admissible as evidence against the respondent at any pending or subsequent paternity proceeding.

(b) Where paternity is contested in a proceeding commenced pursuant to this part, if the court orders the parties to submit to any tests and comparisons to determine parentage authorized by § 24-7-112, the court may grant an order of protection pending the outcome of any such tests and comparisons.