Section 6. Section 5103 of Title 23 is amended by adding a subsection to read:
§ 5103. Acknowledgment and claim of paternity.
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(c) Duty of hospital or birthing center.--Upon the birth of a child to an unmarried woman, an agent of the hospital or birthing center where the birth occurred shall:
(1) Provide the newborn's birth parents with an
opportunity to complete an affidavit acknowledging paternity.
The completed, signed and notarized affidavit shall be sent
to the Department of Public Welfare. A copy shall be given to
each of the birth parents. This affidavit shall contain:
(i) A sworn, signed statement by the birth mother
consenting to the assertion of paternity.
(ii) A signed, notarized statement by the birth
father acknowledging his paternity.
(iii) A written explanation of the parental duties
and parental rights which arise from signing such a
statement.
(iv) The Social Security numbers and addresses of
both birth parents.
(2) Provide written information, furnished by the
Department of Public Welfare to the birth mother, which
explains the benefits of having the child's paternity
established, the availability of paternity establishment
services and the availability of child support enforcement
agencies.