Art. 1034.1. Federal Indian Child Welfare Act inquiry

            A. At the commencement of the hearing, the court shall inquire as to whether the petitioner or any person before the court knows or has reason to know that the child is an Indian child. If no person before the court responds affirmatively, the court may proceed, although it shall instruct each person before the court to inform the court if he subsequently discovers information indicating that the child is an Indian child.

            B. In accordance with Article 1034.2, if the court finds that there is reason to know that the child is an Indian child, the court shall immediately proceed pursuant to the federal Indian Child Welfare Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

            C. If a tribe fails to respond to multiple requests for verification that the child is an Indian child and the court or department has sought the assistance of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in contacting the tribe, the court may make the determination that the child is not an Indian child based on the information it has available and proceed to termination in accordance with this Title.

            Acts 2018, No. 296, §1.