Hospital Paternity

(a)Upon the birth of a child to an unmarried woman, and prior to discharge, any hospital, physician health care provider, midwife or nurse who assists in the birth of the child shall:

(1)provide an opportunity for the child’s mother and alleged father to sign, under oath, an affidavit of paternity; and TITLE 5 GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS CH. 34 CHILD SUPPORT

(2)provide to the mother and to the alleged father, any necessary oral information, and also written information furnished by the Department which describes, among other things, the rights and responsibilities of parentage; the benefits of having the child’s paternity established; the alleged father’s legal rights and responsibilities, including his right to request genetic testing; the child’s right to received child support; that a signed affidavit of paternity creates a rebuttable presumption of paternity; that a signed affidavit of paternity allows the establishment of a support obligation without requiring further proceedings to establish paternity; and, that completion of the affidavit of paternity is voluntary and is not required of either the mother or the alleged father.

(b)The fully completed, signed and notarized original affidavit of paternity, if obtained, shall be forwarded to the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Vital Statistics within seven

(7)days following the birth of the child.