safe haven providers; hospital deliveries
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill clarifies the procedures for ‘safe haven providers’ – individuals and institutions like firefighters, EMTs, hospitals, and churches – who can accept newborn infants left anonymously. It outlines specific protocols for these providers, including immediate transport to a hospital for examination and contacting the Department of Child Safety. The law also addresses liability and ensures that agencies assisting with placement comply with adoption laws.
Key provisions
- Safe haven providers must follow specific protocols when accepting newborns, including immediate transport to a hospital.
- Private child welfare and adoption agencies must take custody of infants if they are able and willing.
- If agencies are unable to take custody, the Department of Child Safety will step in to find an agency.
- Hospitals must post notices indicating they accept safe haven infants.
- Parents who surrender infants anonymously are not required to provide information.
- Safe haven providers are generally not liable for damages unless acting with gross negligence.
- Health care providers can make medical decisions for infants in safe haven situations.
- Agencies placing infants must comply with state and federal adoption laws.
Who is affected
- Newborn infants and their parents
- Private child welfare agencies
- Private adoption agencies
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
1 on record
Primary sponsor
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours