2020 Arkansas Code
Title 9 - Family Law
Subtitle 3 - Minors
Chapter 34 - Voluntary Placement of a Child
Subchapter 2 - Voluntary Delivery of a Child
§ 9-34-202. Delivery to medical provider, law enforcement agency, or fire department

(a) Any medical provider, law enforcement agency, or fire department shall take possession of a child who is thirty (30) days old or younger without a court order if the parent of the child, without expressing an intent to return for the child, leaves the child:

1. (1) With or voluntarily delivers the child to the medical provider, law enforcement agency, or fire department; or

2. (2) In a newborn safety device that is:

   1. (A) Voluntarily installed by the medical provider, law enforcement agency, or fire department;

   2. (B) Physically located inside a hospital, law enforcement agency, or fire department that is staffed twenty-four (24) hours a day by a medical services provider; and

   3. (C) Located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to the employees of the hospital, law enforcement agency, or fire department.

(b)

1. (1) A medical provider, law enforcement agency, or fire department that takes possession of a child under subsection (a) of this section shall perform any act necessary to protect the physical health and safety of the child.

2. (2) A medical provider, law enforcement agency, or fire department shall:

   1. (A) Keep the identity of a parent who relinquishes a child under this section confidential; and

   2. (B) Not release or otherwise make the identity of the parent available except to a:

(c) A medical provider, law enforcement agency, or fire department shall not be criminally or civilly liable for any good faith acts or omissions performed under this section.

(d) A medical provider, law enforcement agency, or fire department that voluntarily installs a newborn safety device shall:

1. (1) Be responsible for the cost of the installation; and

2. (2) Install an adequate dual alarm system connected to the physical location of the newborn safety device that is:

   1. (A) Tested at least one (1) time per week to ensure the alarm system is in working order; and

   2. (B) Visually checked at least two (2) times per day to ensure the alarm system is in working order.