Marie Pinkney
- Democratic
- Senator
- District 13
Primary
According to the Children’s Bureau within the Administration for Children & Families, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico have enacted infant safe haven laws that allow a parent to surrender a newborn without fear of prosecution. These laws vary in terms of where an infant can be surrendered. Delaware is among 16 states that only permit a baby to be surrendered to a hospital. Twenty-five states allow surrenders at fire stations and 25 states permit surrenders to personnel at police stations or other law enforcement agencies. This Act adds police stations to the designated safe havens where an individual may surrender a baby. This Act makes conforming amendments to other laws of this State based on this addition. Additionally, this Act codifies a portion of the original Safe Arms for Babies law, Chapter 187 of Volume 73 of the Laws of Delaware, that requires the Department of Health and Social Services to take certain actions related to the law. Finally, this Act makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
Signed by Governor
Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
Amendment HA 1 to SB 161 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
Passed By House. Votes: 41 YES
Amendment HA 1 to SB 161 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 8 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits
Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House
Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 3 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits
Introduced and Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate
| Bill Text Versions | Format |
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| Bill Text | PDF HTML |
| HA 1 to SB 161 | HTML PDF |
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| No related documents. |
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