HB 3753

Abstract

Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Provides that a hospital that is staffed continuously on a 24-hour, 7-day a week basis to provide care to patients in an emergency shall take temporary protective custody of any newborn infant who is left in a newborn safety device that: (1) has been approved by the hospital; (2) is physically located inside the hospital; and (3) is located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to hospital staff. Provides that a fire station, emergency medical facility, or police station that is staffed by an emergency medical services provider on a 24-hour, 7-day a week basis shall take temporary protective custody of a newborn infant who is voluntarily left in a newborn safety device that: (i) is located at the fire station, emergency medical facility, or police station; (ii) is located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to staff; and (iii) includes an adequate dual alarm system connected to the site that is tested at least one time per month to ensure the alarm system is in working order. Provides that a hospital, fire station, emergency medical facility, or police station is immune from civil liability for an act or omission relating to the operation of the newborn safety device unless the act or omission constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. Provides that any person who in good faith voluntarily leaves a newborn infant in a newborn safety device as provided in the amendatory Act is not obligated to disclose the parent's name or the person's name. Requires hospitals, fire stations, emergency medical facilities, and police stations to post conspicuous signs informing persons that a newborn infant may be left in a newborn safety device located at the facility. Expands the definition of "relinquish" to mean to voluntarily leave a newborn infant, who a licensed physician reasonably believes is 30 days old or less, in a newborn safety device.