HB4134 - ABANDONED NEWBORN INFANTS

1 Co-Sponsor

Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Adds maternity homes and pregnancy resource centers to the list of facilities that must accept a relinquished newborn infant in accordance with the Act. Expands the definition of "relinquish" to include bringing a newborn infant to a maternity home or pregnancy resource center or leaving an infant in a child rescue pod. Defines "maternity home", "pregnancy resource center", and "child pod". Provides that after a newborn infant is relinquished to a maternity home or pregnancy resource center, the facility must arrange for the transportation of the infant to the nearest hospital as soon as transportation can be arranged. Provides that the act of relinquishing a newborn infant serves as implied consent for the hospital to which the infant is transported and that hospital's medical personnel and physicians on staff to treat and provide care for the infant. Provides that if the parent of a newborn infant returns to the maternity home or pregnancy resource center to reclaim the infant within 72 hours after relinquishment, the maternity home or pregnancy resource center must inform the parent of the name or location of the hospital to which the infant was transported. Authorizes the Department of Children and Family Services to adopt all necessary rules for the administration of the Act, including rules governing specifications, installation, maintenance, and oversight of child rescue pods.