Relinquishing custody of a newborn child

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Under current law, a child whom a law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, or hospital staff member reasonably believes to be 72 hours old or younger (newborn child) may be taken into custody under circumstances in which a parent of the newborn child relinquishes custody of the newborn child to the law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, or hospital staff member and does not express an intent to return for the newborn child (commonly referred to as the "safe haven law"). A law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, or hospital staff member who takes a newborn child into custody under the safe haven law must take any action necessary to protect the health and safety of the newborn child and, within 24 hours after taking the newborn child into custody must deliver the newborn child to the intake worker of the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under the Children's Code.

This bill permits a parent to relinquish custody of a child 30 days old or younger under the safe haven law. The bill also permits a health care clinic staff member to take a child into custody under that law.

Who's behind it

5 senators are its authors⁠. 4 are Republicans and 1 is a Democrat.

11 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DCF

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment SSA1-SB313