Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Early Learning & Human Services Committee

SSB 5522

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: Senate Committee on Human Services, Mental Health & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Palumbo, Fain and Nelson).

Brief Summary of Substitute 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 who are abandoned.

Hearing Date: 2/15/18

Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).

Background:

Safe Transfer of Newborns.

A parent of a newborn infant 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 the safe transfer of newborns include: Ÿ

The persons to whom parents may safely transfer newborns include:

The person to whom the parent transfers the newborn to 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 transfer of the newborn.

Each safe transfer location is required to post signs indicating that the location is an appropriate place for the safe and legal transfer of newborns.

In 2009 the Governor vetoed one section of a bill that required the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to collect and compile information concerning the number and medical condition of newborns transferred:

Summary of Bill:

The DSHS must collect and compile the following:

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

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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