2009 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 24 - Health and Safety.
Article 22 - Safe Haven for Infants
Section 24-22-4 - Hospital procedures.

24-22-4. Hospital procedures.

A.     A hospital shall accept an infant who is left at the hospital in accordance with the provisions of the Safe Haven for Infants Act [24-22-1 NMSA 1978].

B.     In conjunction with the children, youth and families department, a hospital shall develop procedures for appropriate staff to accept and provide necessary medical services to an infant left at the hospital and to the person leaving the infant at the hospital, if necessary.

C.     Upon receiving an infant who is left at a hospital in accordance with the provisions of the Safe Haven for Infants Act, the hospital may provide the person leaving the infant with:

(1)     information about adoption services, including the availability of private adoption services;

(2)     brochures or telephone numbers for agencies that provide adoption services or counseling services; and

(3)     written information regarding whom to contact at the children, youth and families department if the parent decides to seek reunification with the infant.

D.     A hospital shall ask the person leaving the infant whether the infant has a parent who is either a member of an Indian tribe or is eligible for membership in an Indian tribe, but the person leaving the infant is not required to provide that information to the hospital.

E.     Immediately after receiving an infant in accordance with the provisions of the Safe Haven for Infants Act, a hospital shall inform the children, youth and families department that the infant has been left at the hospital.  The hospital shall provide the children, youth and families department with all available information regarding the child and the parents, including the identity of the child and the parents, the location of the parents and the child's medical records.