Jet-cooled laser-induced fluorescence spectra of LaH molecules in the range 15500-18700 cm(-1) showed four new vibronic bands. Rotational analysis confirmed a (1)Sigma(+) symmetry for the ground state, identified a 0(+)((3)Sigma) electronic state at 15622.9(1) cm(-1) via intercombination transition observed for the first time in LaH and two more excited electronic states with Omega = 1 at 17397.9(1) and 17549.0(1) cm(-1). Also observed the transition of type Omega' = 0-Omega '' = 1 with band origin at 18508.8(1) cm(-1). Comparison of the present data with earlier ab initio results indicated the overestimation of calculated energies and internuclear distances for the ground and excited electronic states. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.