Current through the 2024 Budget Session
Section 14-11-103 - Relinquishment of a newborn child(a) A parent or a parent's designee may relinquish a newborn child to a safe haven provider in accordance with the provisions of this act and retain complete anonymity.(b) Relinquishment of a newborn child shall not, in and of itself, constitute abuse or neglect and the child shall not be considered an abused or neglected child, so long as the relinquishment is carried out in substantial compliance with provisions of this act.(c) A safe haven provider shall accept a newborn child who is relinquished pursuant to the provisions of this act, and may presume that the person relinquishing is the child's parent or parent's designee.(d) The parent or parent's designee may provide information regarding the parent and newborn child's medical histories, and identifying information regarding the nonrelinquishing parent of the child. The safe haven provider shall, after informing the parent or the parent's designee that no information is required to be given, ask the parent or the parent's designee whether the child has any tribal affiliation or Native American ancestry, and request relevant information to determine the child's tribe. The safe haven provider shall not require that any information be given or the person relinquishing express an intent for return of the child.(e) A safe haven provider may provide any necessary emergency medical care to the newborn child and shall deliver custody of the newborn child to the nearest hospital as soon as possible.(f) A hospital receiving a relinquished newborn child may provide any necessary medical care to the child and shall notify the local child protective agency as soon as possible, but no later than twenty-four (24) hours after receiving the child.(g) The local child protective agency shall assume care and custody of the child immediately upon notice from the hospital. After receiving custody, the local child protective agency shall assist in placement of the newborn child pursuant to W.S. 14-11-105(a).Amended by Laws 2024, ch. 57,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2024.