HB 1285 Summary

• Expands safe haven law to allow parents to leave infants under one year old at hospitals or other department-designated approved locations without criminal prosecution under abandonment statutes.

• Parents or agents leaving infants at hospitals receive numbered identification bracelets that create presumption of standing in protection services actions but do not grant custody rights or presume paternity/maternity.

• Approved locations must accept infants in unharmed condition, may request parental information, and shall report abandonments to the department within 24 hours without attempting to identify or contact parents unless the infant is harmed or the parent initiates contact.

• Provides immunity from criminal and civil liability for hospitals and approved locations accepting abandoned infants under this section.

• Requires state department of health to develop public awareness campaign and report implementation progress to legislative management by July 1, 2020.