PRINTER'S NO. 900
No. 837 Session of 1993
INTRODUCED BY KENNEY, COY, PITTS, WOGAN, J. TAYLOR, FLICK, COLAIZZO, DEMPSEY, HERMAN, FAIRCHILD, VEON, PESCI, MARKOSEK, REBER, HECKLER, MICOZZIE, JOSEPHS, HALUSKA, MELIO, GANNON, M. N. WRIGHT, HESS, FARGO, SEMMEL, LAUGHLIN, TRELLO, SAURMAN, HERSHEY, ARGALL, BATTISTO, DeLUCA, KELLER, KING, FARMER, KASUNIC, CLARK, E. Z. TAYLOR, BUNT, McGEEHAN, TIGUE, OLASZ, MASLAND, ARMSTRONG, HASAY, GERLACH, GEIST AND CIVERA, MARCH 22, 1993
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND WELFARE, MARCH 22, 1993
AN ACT 1 Amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania 2 Consolidated Statutes, further providing for acknowledgment 3 of paternity. 4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 5 hereby enacts as follows: 6 Section 1. Section 5103 of Title 23 of the Pennsylvania 7 Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a subsection to read: 8 § 5103. Acknowledgment and claim of paternity. 9 * * * 10 (c) Acknowledgment upon birth.--Upon the birth of a child to 11 an unmarried woman, the attending physician or midwife, an agent 12 of either or an agent of the hospital where the birth occurred 13 shall: 14 (1) Provide the newborn's mother and natural father with 15 an opportunity to complete an affidavit acknowledging
1 paternity. The completed, signed affidavit shall be filed 2 with the Division of Vital Records in the Department of 3 Health. A copy shall be given to the mother and natural 4 father separately. This affidavit shall contain: 5 (i) A sworn, signed statement by the mother 6 consenting to the assertion of paternity and stating that 7 this is the only possible father. 8 (ii) A signed statement by the father that he is the 9 child's natural father. 10 (iii) A written explanation of the implications of 11 and the parental duties and parental rights which arise 12 from signing such a statement. 13 (iv) The Social Security numbers, driver's license 14 numbers and addresses of both parents. 15 (2) Provide written information, furnished by the 16 Department of Public Welfare to the mother, which explains 17 the benefits of having her child's paternity established, the 18 availability of paternity establishment services and the 19 availability of child support enforcement agencies. 20 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days. B23L23JAM/19930H0837B0900 - 2 -