House debates 'safe-haven' bill allowing anonymous hospital relinquishment of newborns; concerns delay final vote

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 abandonment.

Supporters described the bill as a narrowly tailored public-safety measure to prevent infants being left in dumpsters or other unsafe locations. Representative Daniels noted Utah's pro-adoption policy and said the bill adds an option for relinquishment without changing the state’s core adoption framework.

Several members raised detailed concerns. Representative Dayton warned that anonymity may prevent collection of medical information critical to a child’s health and questioned how a hospital can verify the infant’s age. Representative Bennion moved to strike language allowing a "parent's designee" to drop off a child; proponents of retaining the designee language said flexibility prevents greater danger when the mother cannot bring the infant herself. Representative McCartney and others said requiring the birth mother only could put babies at risk if the mother is unable to deliver the child to a hospital.

After multiple amendments and extended debate, the House recessed at noon without a recorded final passage for HB12 in the provided transcript; floor votes on some amendments were recorded earlier and some amendments failed. Sponsors said outreach would be needed to ensure mothers in crisis learn about the safe-haven option.