MO HB683

Extends the age limit for safe relinquishment of newborns from one year to sixty days old, allowing parents to relinquish infants up to sixty days old without prosecution for abandonment or related charges.

Reduces the age threshold for mandatory acceptance by designated recipients (hospital employees, firefighters, EMTs, law enforcement) from one year to forty-five days old.

Establishes anonymity protections prohibiting state and local officials from attempting to identify relinquishing parents, with information sharing limited to specific entities including child welfare agencies, courts, and medical providers.

Adds voluntary relinquishment under the Safe Place for Newborns Act as grounds for termination of parental rights in the juvenile code, streamlining the legal process for abandoned infants.

Requires the Children's Division to provide information about the relinquishment process through a toll-free hotline and public materials to inform parents of this legal alternative to abandonment.