2021 Kentucky Revised Statutes
Chapter 405 - Parent and child
405.075 Anonymity of parent who places newborn infant with emergency provider, police station, fire station, hospital, or participating place of worship -- Newborn safety device -- Transport to emergency room -- Implied consent to treatment -- Waiver by parent -- Sign posted at facility -- Immunity of provider, officer, firefighter, or staff member from liability -- Short title.
Universal Citation:
KY Rev Stat § 405.075 (2021)
Learn more
This media-neutral citation is based
on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not
necessarily the official citation.
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
405.075 Anonymity of parent who places newborn infant with emergency provider,
police station, fire station, hospital, or participating place of worship -Newborn safety device -- Transport to emergency room -- Implied consent to
treatment -- Waiver by parent -- Sign posted at facility -- Immunity of
provider, officer, firefighter, or staff member from liability -- Short title.
(1)
(2)
As used in this section:
(a) "Newborn infant" means an infant who is medically determined to be less than
thirty (30) days old;
(b) "Newborn safety device" means a device:
1.
Designed to permit a parent to anonymously place a newborn infant in
the device with the intent to leave the newborn and for an emergency
medical services provider to remove the newborn from the device and
take custody of the newborn infant;
2.
Installed with an adequate dual alarm system connected to the physical
location where the device is physically installed. The dual alarm system
shall be:
a.
Tested at least one (1) time per month to ensure the alarm system
is in working order; and
b.
Visually checked at least two (2) times per day to ensure the alarm
system is in working order;
3.
Approved by and physically located inside a participating staffed police
station, staffed fire station, or staffed hospital that:
a.
Is licensed or otherwise legally operating in this state; and
b.
Is staffed continuously on a twenty-four (24) hour basis every day
by a licensed emergency medical services provider; and
4.
Located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to police station, fire
station, or hospital staff; and
(c) "Participating place of worship" means a recognized place of religious
worship that has voluntarily agreed to perform the duty granted in this section
and display signage prominently on its premises regarding its participation in
this section and its operating hours during which staff will be present.
A parent shall have the right to remain anonymous, shall not be pursued, and shall
not be considered to have abandoned or endangered a newborn infant under KRS
Chapters 508 and 530 if the parent:
(a) Places a newborn infant:
1.
With an emergency medical services provider;
2.
At a staffed police station, fire station, or hospital;
3.
At a participating place of worship; or
4.
Inside a newborn safety device that meets the requirements of subsection
(1) of this section; and
(b) Expresses no intent to return for the newborn infant.
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(a)
Any emergency medical services provider, police officer, or firefighter who
accepts physical custody of a newborn infant, or who physically retrieves a
newborn infant from a newborn safety device that meets the requirements of
subsection (1) of this section, in accordance with this section shall
immediately arrange for the infant to be taken to the nearest hospital
emergency room and shall have implied consent to any and all appropriate
medical treatment.
(b) Any staff member at a participating place of worship who accepts physical
custody of a newborn infant in accordance with this section shall immediately
contact the 911 emergency telephone service as set forth in KRS 65.750 to
65.760, wireless enhanced 911 system as set forth in KRS 65.7621 to 65.7643,
or emergency medical services as set forth in KRS Chapter 311A for
transportation to the nearest hospital emergency room.
By placing a newborn infant in the manner described in this section, the parent:
(a) Waives the right to notification required by subsequent court proceedings
conducted under KRS Chapter 620 until such time as a claim of parental
rights is made; and
(b) Waives legal standing to make a claim of action against any person who
accepts physical custody of the newborn infant.
A staffed police station, fire station, hospital, emergency medical facility, or
participating place of worship may post a sign easily seen by the public stating that:
"This facility is a safe and legal place to surrender a newborn infant who is less than
30 days old. A parent who places a newborn infant at this facility and expresses no
intent to return for the infant shall have the right to remain anonymous and not be
pursued and shall not be considered to have abandoned or endangered their
newborn infant under KRS Chapters 508 and 530."
Actions taken by an emergency medical services provider, police officer, firefighter,
or staff member at a participating place of worship in conformity with the duty
granted in this section shall be immune from criminal or civil liability. Nothing in
this subsection shall limit liability for negligence.
The provisions of subsection (2) of this section shall not apply when indicators of
child physical abuse or child neglect are present.
KRS 211.951, 216B.190, 405.075, 620.350, and 620.355 shall be known as "The
Representative Thomas J. Burch Safe Infants Act."
Effective: June 29, 2021
History: Amended 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 117, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2021. -- Amended
2018 Ky. Acts ch. 152, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2018. -- Amended 2016 Ky. Acts ch.
122, sec. 3, effective July 15, 2016. -- Created 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 303, sec. 4,
effective April 9, 2002.
]]>
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version.
Kentucky may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
