HSB 136

This bill relates to the release of custody of a newborn infant under the newborn safe haven Act. The bill provides that in addition to current provisions that allow a parent of a newborn infant to voluntarily relinquish physical custody of the newborn infant directly or indirectly at an institutional health facility or to a first responder in response to a 911 call, a parent may also relinquish physical custody of a newborn directly or indirectly at a fire station, by relinquishing physical custody of the newborn infant to medical staff of a hospital or other facility following delivery of the newborn infant in the hospital or other facility when the parent notifies the medical staff that the parent is voluntarily relinquishing physical custody of the newborn infant; or by relinquishing physical custody of the newborn infant at a hospital, fire station, or an emergency medical care provider location, through a newborn safety device. The bill also provides that with regard to the rights of parents of the newborn infant, a parent requesting that custody of the newborn infant be granted to the parent may use DNA profiling to show by clear and convincing evidence that the person is the parent of the newborn infant. The bill makes conforming changes throughout Code chapter 233 (newborn safe haven Act) consistent with the changes in the bill.