Federal Law - Personal Responsibility Act: Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 - Federal legislation that requires states to establish procedures for voluntary acknowledgment of paternity and establish paternity establishment programs

Federal Law - Child Support Performance Act: Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998 - Sets performance measures and incentives for state paternity establishment programs

Federal Law - Social Security Act Title IV-D: Establishes federal requirements for state child support enforcement programs, including paternity establishment

State-Specific Paternity Laws: Individual state legislation governing voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, including specific procedures and requirements that vary by jurisdiction

Uniform Parentage Act: Model law adopted by many states that provides uniform standards for establishing and challenging paternity, including voluntary acknowledgment procedures

State Vital Statistics Laws: State regulations governing birth records and registration, including requirements for adding father's information to birth certificates

Due Process Requirements: Constitutional and statutory requirements for notice of legal rights, consequences, and the need for witnessed/notarized signatures on paternity acknowledgments

Rescission Provisions: State-specific time limitations and procedures for rescinding (canceling) a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity

Hospital-Based Programs: Administrative requirements for hospital-based paternity establishment programs, including staff training and documentation procedures

Rights and Responsibilities Notice: Mandatory written and verbal notice of legal rights, responsibilities, and consequences of acknowledging paternity, including child support obligations