House Bill 791 amends Florida Statutes to enhance the legal framework for the surrender of newborn infants. It revises the definition of "infant" to specifically refer to a "newborn infant," defined as a child approximately 30 days old or younger at the time of surrender. The bill introduces the term "newborn infant safety device," which refers to secure devices installed in hospitals, emergency medical services stations, or fire stations for the safe surrender of newborns. These facilities are required to monitor the devices continuously and ensure they meet specific safety criteria. Additionally, the bill allows parents to surrender their newborns directly to medical staff at hospitals or by calling 911 for emergency services, while providing protections against criminal investigations under certain circumstances.

The legislation clarifies that a surrendered newborn is not considered abandoned, thus exempting it from certain reporting and investigation requirements unless there is suspected child abuse. It ensures that hospitals provide necessary emergency services to surrendered infants and establishes that parents can remain anonymous during the surrender process. The bill also mandates that licensed child-placing agencies must accept custody of surrendered newborns and outlines their responsibilities regarding medical costs and custody procedures. Overall, the bill aims to facilitate safe and confidential options for parents in crisis while ensuring the well-being of surrendered newborns, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 791 Filed: 383.50, 39.201, 63.0423, 63.167, 383.51, 827.035, 827.10