§ 25-8-50 — Voluntary hospital

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 (2) Provide to the mother and to the alleged father, any necessary oral, video, audio, or written information furnished by the Department of Social Services 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 receive 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. If obtained, the fully completed, signed, and notarized original affidavit of paternity shall be forwarded to the Department of Health as provided in chapter 34-25 within seven days following the birth of the child.

Legislative History

SL 1994, ch 204, § 1; SL 1997, ch 155, § 32; SL 1998, ch 157, § 10.