HB 3925

Abstract

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code and the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Provides that for purposes of the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act, "fire station" means a fire station with at least one staff person (instead of that is staffed with at least one full-time emergency medical professional). Provides that "newborn infant" means a child who a licensed physician reasonably believes is 30 (instead of 7) days old or less. Defines "safe haven" to mean a hospital, fire station, police station, or emergency medical facility at which a newborn infant may be relinquished. Provides that any public reporting of information required in connection with the relinquishment of a newborn infant, including, but not limited to, reporting required under the Vital Records Act or under any other law, shall identify the mother of the relinquished newborn infant and the infant as "unknown". Makes changes concerning the information packet that a hospital or other facility must offer to a person who relinquishes a newborn infant. Provides that a relinquished newborn infant's mother, as well as the infant, are eligible for medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services shall notify a hospital to whom a newborn infant has been relinquished of the name of the child-placing agency authorized by the Department to take custody of the infant from the hospital. Provides that if a relinquished newborn infant was born in a hospital and was relinquished to the hospital without having left the hospital, the Department need not verify that the infant is not a missing child before filing a petition for termination of parental rights.