This bill requires the following:
(1) By December 31, 2024, the department of children's services, in consultation with local officials in each county, must identify a location to install a newborn safety device in each county of this state; and
(2) By December 31, 2025, subject to specific appropriation of funds by the general assembly, the department must issue funds to each county to pay for the installation of a newborn safety device. The funds issued to a county must only be used for installation and other costs associated with maintaining proper operation of the device.
As used in this bill, a newborn safety device" means a device that meets the following criteria:
(1) Is designed to permit a mother to anonymously place a newborn infant aged 14 days or younger in the device with the intent to leave the newborn infant for an emergency medical services provider to remove the newborn infant from the device and take custody of the newborn infant;
(2) Is installed with an adequate dual alarm system connected to the physical location where the device is installed. The dual alarm system must be tested at least once per month to ensure the alarm system is in working order; and visually checked at least twice per day to ensure the alarm system is in working order;
(3) Is approved by and located inside a participating police station, fire station, or hospital that is licensed or otherwise legally operating in this state; and staffed continuously on a 24-hour basis every day by a licensed emergency medical services provider; and
(4) Is located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to a police station, fire station, or hospital staff.
REPORT
No later than December 31, 2024, and no later than each December 31 thereafter of a year for which the general assembly makes a specific appropriation of funds, this bill requires the department to submit a report to the speaker of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the health and welfare committee of the senate, and the health committee of the house of representatives, on the status of each county's newborn safety device. The report must include the status of construction, expended and available funds, and any other relevant information.
ON MARCH 21, 2024, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 1671 FOR HOUSE BILL 2061, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1671, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #1 revises the definition of "local law enforcement" to mean the county sheriff with jurisdiction over the location (i) where the service recipient permanently resides, if the service recipient is a resident of this state; and (ii) where the inpatient treatment facility is located, if the service recipient is not a resident of this state.