MS SB2479

Allows parents to anonymously surrender a baby 72 hours old or younger to emergency medical services providers without being required to provide identifying information

Extends anonymity protections to mothers who give birth at hospitals and express a desire to surrender custody of the newborn, allowing the hospital to take possession without further action

Permits hospitals to collect identifying information from anonymous mothers solely for securing payment of labor and delivery costs, including Medicaid for minors, but prohibits notifying a minor's parent or guardian without consent

Prohibits placing the birth mother's identity on the birth certificate or disclosing it to the Department of Human Services

Creates a legal presumption that surrendering a child under this law constitutes consent to termination of parental rights and waiver of notification for subsequent court proceedings

Effective date: July 1, 2012