Hospitals that provide birthing services must run a voluntary paternity acknowledgment program and follow specified notice, forwarding, and support steps.
§46.12. Hospital-based paternity program A. Any hospital in the state which provides birthing services shall have a program that allows for the voluntary acknowledgment of paternity during the period immediately before or after the birth of a child. B. During the period immediately before or after the birth of a child to an unmarried woman, a hospital-based program established in accordance with this Section shall, at a minimum: (1) Provide to both the mother and alleged father, if he is present in the hospital: (a) Written materials about paternity establishment. (b) The forms necessary to voluntarily acknowledge paternity. (c) A written description of the rights, responsibilities, and alternatives as provided in R.S. 9:392(A) which are involved in acknowledging paternity. (d) The opportunity to speak with hospital personnel, either by telephone or in person, who are trained to clarify information and answer questions about paternity establishment. (2) Provide the mother and alleged father, if he is present, the opportunity to voluntarily acknowledge paternity in the hospital in accordance with the Civil Code and R.S. 9:392. (3) Afford due process safeguards. (4) Forward completed acknowledgments to the state registrar. C. Hospital support personnel that provide birthing services shall possess notarial powers to administer oaths to and authenticate signatures of any persons in connection with execution of a formal acknowledgment of paternity in accordance with this Section. Any oaths administered or signatures authenticated pursuant to this Section shall have the same force and effect as if taken or signed before a duly commissioned notary public. NOTE: Subsection (D) eff. until October 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 477. D. Hospital personnel shall forward an acknowledgment of paternity to the state registrar who shall forward copies of same to the Department of Children and Family Services, office of children and family services, child support enforcement section. A statewide database shall be maintained by the Department of Children and Family Services in accordance with federal regulations. NOTE: Subsection (D) as amended by Acts 2025, No. 477, eff. October 1, 2027. D. Hospital personnel shall forward an acknowledgment of paternity to the state registrar who shall forward copies of same to the Department of Children and Family Services, office of child support. A statewide database shall be maintained by the Department of Children and Family Services in accordance with federal regulations. E. A voluntary acknowledgment executed in accordance with this Section shall be signed by both parents and the parents' signatures shall be authenticated by a person possessing notarial powers in accordance with state laws. NOTE: Subsection (F)(introductory paragraph) eff. until October 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 477. F. The Department of Children and Family Services, office of children and family services, child support enforcement section shall provide to all birthing hospitals in the state: NOTE: Subsection (F)(introductory paragraph) as amended by Acts 2025, No. 477, eff. October 1, 2027. F. The Department of Children and Family Services, office of child support shall provide to all birthing hospitals in the state: (1) Written materials about paternity establishment. (2) Forms necessary to voluntarily acknowledge paternity. (3) Copies of a written description of the rights, responsibilities, and alternatives as provided in R.S. 9:392(A) which are involved in acknowledging paternity. (4) Training, guidance, and written instructions relative to voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, as necessary to operate the hospital-based program. (5) An assessment of each birthing hospital's program on at least an annual basis. G. Except in the case of intentional misconduct, no hospital or any agent or employee thereof shall be held civilly or criminally liable for any action or omission arising out of the performance of, attempted performance of, or failure or inability to perform the duties imposed herein. Acts 1995, No. 697, §1; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 6, §2, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 397, §1; Acts 2004, No. 26, §13; Acts 2012, No. 255, §6; Acts 2016, No. 434, §3; Acts 2025, No. 477, §12, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.