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House debates 'safe-haven' bill allowing anonymous hospital relinquishment of newborns; concerns delay final vote
Summary
Lawmakers extensively debated a bill permitting infants 72 hours or younger to be left at hospitals anonymously. Sponsors said it prevents unsafe abandonments; opponents raised questions about verification, designee liability and possible erosion of existing adoption safeguards. The House recessed before final action.
Representative Arant presented first substitute House Bill 12 on Feb. 14, describing it as a ‘‘safe-haven’’ measure to give mothers an option to leave infants 72 hours old or younger at 24-hour hospitals without immediate criminal prosecution or DCFS investigation. Arant said the law is patterned after statutes in other states and exists to ‘‘have a safe place to relinquish that child’’ rather than risk…
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