Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Early Learning & Human Services Committee

HB 1312

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Requiring the department of social and health services to collect and publicly report information on the safe surrender of newborn children.

Sponsors: Representatives Stokesbary, Stambaugh, Cody and Stanford.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires the Department of Social and Health Services to annually report to the public the number of newborns safely transferred to appropriate persons who can summon immediate care for the newborn and those newborns transferred in other ways.

Hearing Date: 1/31/17

Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).

Background:

Safe Transfer of Newborns.

Parents of newborn infants less than 72 hours old may transfer that newborn to certain people in certain locations without incurring criminal liability.

The locations that are available for such transfer include:

The persons that parents may safely transfer newborns to include:

The person to whom the parent transfers the newborn must not require the parent to provide any identifying information and shall attempt to protect the anonymity of the parent. This person must also provide referral information about adoption options, counseling, appropriate medical and aftercare services, domestic violence, and legal rights to the parent seeking to transfer the newborn.

After 2011 the safe transfer locations have been required to post signs indicating that the location is an appropriate place for the safe and legal transfer of newborns.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) must collect and compile information concerning the number and medical condition of newborns who are transferred to qualified persons at appropriate locations that can summon the resources to meet the newborn's immediate needs and prevent parents from being subjected to certain criminal liability, and the number and medical condition of newborns transferred in a manner that does not protect parents from criminal liability and allow for the immediate care of newborns.

The DSHS must report its findings regarding newborn transfer annually to the public beginning on July 31, 2017.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.