HB 4699

Abstract

Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Provides that there is a presumption that by relinquishing a newborn infant under the Act, the infant's parent waives notice of any legal proceeding to terminate his or her parental rights. Requires a hospital to complete and submit, on behalf of a relinquished newborn infant, an application for medical assistance benefits provided under the Illinois Public Aid Code and to provide all available medical information and records regarding the infant to the Department of Children and Family Services and to the child welfare agency (rather than child-placing agency) that has accepted the referral of the infant. Provides that first responders dispatched in response to a 9-1-1 call to accept a relinquished newborn infant must accept the relinquished newborn infant in accordance with the Act. Contains provisions on when and to whom a fire station or emergency medical facility must disclose the name and location of the hospital to which a relinquished infant was transported. Provides that, if possible, a hospital, police station, fire station, or emergency medical facility that receives a newborn infant must offer information about the relinquishment process to the relinquishing person in writing or by referring the person to a website or other electronic resource. Contains provisions on a child welfare agency's authority to place the infant in an adoptive home, foster home, child care facility, or other appropriate facility and to make medical and health-related decisions for the infant. Contains provisions concerning notice to the infant's biological parents of legal proceedings to terminate their parental rights; the appointment of a guardian ad litem to represent the infant's interests; petitions to return the infant to the infant's parent; the alternative to relinquishment that results in the adoption of a relinquished infant under 30 (rather than 7) days of age; and other matters.