CA AB973

Prohibits peace officers from taking newborns into custody without a warrant when released to prospective adoptive parents, if a completed Health Facility Minor Release Report is signed and the release does not pose immediate danger to the child's health or safety.

Allows the Health Facility Minor Release Report to be signed by a licensed adoption agency representative in addition to prospective adoptive parents, and permits release to an adoptive parent's authorized representative or licensed adoption agency.

Requires prospective adoptive parents or their representatives to provide the county child welfare agency with a fully executed Health Facility Minor Release Report and a written declaration stating they will immediately notify the county if the adoption plan is terminated.

Requires prospective adoptive parents to file an adoption request within 10 working days or guardianship petition within 30 calendar days after the child's hospital discharge, and prohibits release of the minor to birth parents until the county child welfare agency investigates if the adoption plan is terminated.

Contains a sunset provision: the amended version remains in effect only until January 1, 2013, at which point a different version of Section 305.6 becomes operative.