MS HB96

Extends the age limit for infants covered under Mississippi's "safe haven" law from 72 hours to 7 days old.

Expands the definition of "emergency medical services provider" to include fire stations and mobile ambulances staffed with full-time firefighters, emergency medical technicians, or paramedics, in addition to licensed hospitals and adoption agencies.

Allows birth mothers to surrender newborns at hospitals without providing identity information while maintaining anonymity protections, with identifying information collected only for labor and delivery payment purposes.

Provides that parents who surrender infants under this law are presumed to consent to termination of parental rights and waive the right to notification of subsequent court proceedings.

Takes effect July 1, 2020.