This bill expands Colorado’s Safe Haven Law by allowing parents to safely and anonymously surrender a newborn in a newborn safety device at certain locations, extending the timeframe for relinquishment.
Key Changes in the Bill:
Newborn Safety Devices Allowed:
Fire stations, hospitals, and community clinic emergency centers can install newborn safety devices on their premises.
These devices provide a secure and anonymous way for parents to safely surrender a newborn.
Safety Requirements for the Devices:
The device must be in a conspicuous location at the facility.
It must have a dual alarm system to alert staff immediately when a baby is placed inside.
The facility is responsible for costs, maintenance, and ensuring the alarm system works properly.
Facilities must provide information to the parent about relinquishment options.
Extended Time for Safe Relinquishment:
Current law: Parents can only surrender a newborn within 72 hours (3 days) of birth.
Bill change: Parents can now relinquish a newborn up to 60 days old.
Conforming Amendments:
Updates existing laws to align with this change.
Purpose of the Bill:
Provides a safer, more anonymous option for parents in crisis.
Increases the timeframe to prevent unsafe abandonment of older newborns.
Ensures medical facilities and fire stations are prepared to handle surrendered infants.
This bill strengthens safe haven protections, ensuring newborns are placed in safe environments while giving parents more time and options if they choose to surrender their child.
Summary
The bill authorizes a fire station, hospital, or community clinic emergency center (authorized facility) to install a newborn safety device on its premises for parents who voluntarily relinquish their child who is 60 days old or younger. A newborn safety device must be installed in a conspicuous location at the authorized facility and be equipped with a dual alarm system.
An authorized facility that installs a newborn safety device is
responsible for the cost of the installation and maintenance, shall ensure the dual alarm system is functioning, and shall make information available to the relinquishing parent.
Under current law, parents can voluntarily relinquish their child if
the child is less than 72 hours old. The bill allows voluntary relinquishment up to 60 days.
The bill makes conforming amendments.
