SB1999 - ABANDONED INFANTS

8 Co-Sponsors

Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Further amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. In a provision concerning a relinquished newborn infant under the temporary custody of a hospital, provides that the hospital shall provide all available medical records and information to the Department of Children and Family Services and the child welfare agency that has accepted the referral of the infant. Removes a provision making relinquished infants presumptively eligible for medical assistance under Article V of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that if the person who relinquished or a person claiming to be the parent of a newborn infant (rather than the parent of a newborn infant) returns to reclaim the infant (rather than child) within 30 days after the infant was relinquished to a fire station, emergency medical facility, or police station, then the fire station, emergency medical facility, or police station must inform such person (rather than the parent) of the name and location of the hospital to which the infant was transported. Requires a hospital, police station, fire station, or emergency medical facility that accepts a relinquished infant to offer the relinquishing person information about the relinquishment process and other information. Provides that the failure to provide such information or the failure of the relinquishing person to accept such information shall not invalidate the relinquishment under the Act. In a provision concerning relinquished infants eligibility for medical assistance under Article V of the Illinois Public Aid Code, requires a hospital to complete and submit an application for medical assistance on behalf of a relinquished infant and permits the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to adopt rules. Makes changes concerning searches of the Illinois Putative Father Registry, petitions for return of custody, and other matters. Defines "parent", "biological parent", and "birth parent". Removes amendatory changes made to the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code concerning presumptive eligibility under the medical assistance program for relinquished infants.