Sec. 25.20.055. - Early acknowledgement of paternity program. - Alaska Statutes

(a) When a birth occurs to an unmarried woman in a hospital or en route to a hospital to which the woman is later admitted, the hospital shall ensure that a staff member

(1) meets with the woman before release from the hospital;

(2) attempts to meet with the father of the unmarried woman's child, if possible;

(3) presents to the mother and, if possible, the father, a pamphlet or statement regarding the rights and responsibilities of a natural parent; the Department of Health and Social Services shall prepare this pamphlet and distribute copies of it to each hospital in the state, to each physician in the state whose practice includes attendance at births, to each nurse-midwife and direct-entry midwife in the state, and to other interested persons in the state who request copies;

(4) provides to the mother and, if possible, the father, all forms, statements, or agreements necessary to voluntarily establish a parent and child relationship, including an acknowledgement of paternity form prepared under AS 18.50.165 ;

(5) on request of the mother and father, assists the father in completing specific forms, statements, or agreements necessary to establish a parent and child relationship between the father and the child; and

(6) on request of the mother and father, mails a completed voluntary acknowledgement of paternity form to the state registrar for filing under AS 18.50.165 .

(b) When a birth occurs to an unmarried woman who is not in a hospital for the birth nor admitted to a hospital immediately after the birth, and the birth is attended by a physician, nurse-midwife, or direct-entry midwife, the physician, nurse-midwife, or direct-entry midwife shall perform the duties described in (a)(2) - (6) of this section or ensure that an agent performs those duties.

(c) When a birth occurs in a situation that is not covered by either (a) or (b) of this section, any adult may, upon request of the father and mother, assist them in filing a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity form with the state registrar under AS 18.50.165 .

(d) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, the Department of Health and Social Services may adopt regulations to establish exceptions for good cause that identify circumstances under which a hospital is not required to comply with (a) of this section. A hospital may be excused from complying with (a) of this section if the hospital meets those regulatory requirements.