SB209 Alabama 2023 Session

Under existing law, a parent may surrender a 72-hour old or younger infant to a hospital that operates an emergency department

Also under existing law, a parent who surrenders a child has an affirmative defense to the charges of nonsupport, abandonment of a child, and endangering the welfare of a child

This bill would repeal existing law relating to leaving an abandoned infant with an emergency medical services provider and replace it with a new chapter allowing a parent to surrender a newborn infant to a safe haven location, which includes an emergency medical services station, fire station, or law enforcement agency

This bill would allow a mother who gives birth in a hospital to leave a newborn infant at the hospital and to decline being named on the infant's birth certificate

This bill would require a safe haven location or hospital to accept a surrendered newborn infant

This bill would require certain hospitals to provide medical care to the infant and presume that the infant qualifies for Medicaid

This bill would require the Department of Human SB209 INTRODUCED Resources to take custody of the surrendered newborn infant and place the infant with a licensed child- placing agency

This bill would provide certain affirmative defenses to a parent who voluntarily surrenders a newborn infant and provide that a surrendered newborn is not subject to any mandatory reporting and investigation requirements, unless there is actual or suspected child abuse or neglect

This bill would allow a parent who surrenders a newborn infant to reclaim custody of the infant until a court terminates parental rights

This bill would provide immunity from liability to safe haven locations and hospitals that provide care to a surrendered newborn infant

This bill would also authorize the Department of Human Resources to adopt rules to implement this chapter

Relating to infants; to add a new Chapter 25A to Title f the Code of Alabama 1975; to require certain safe haven locations and certain hospitals to accept a surrendered newborn infant; to give the Department of Human Resources SB209 INTRODUCED custody of a surrendered newborn infant; to allow a parent who surrenders a newborn infant to reclaim the infant in certain circumstances; to provide certain affirmative defenses to a parent who surrenders a newborn infant; to exempt a surrendered newborn infant from certain reporting requirements; to provide for a limitation of liability; to authorize the Department of Human Resources to adopt rules; and to repeal Sections 26-25-1 through 26-25-5, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to leaving an abandoned infant with an emergency medical services provider.