The bill amends sections 49-4-201 and 49-4-206 of the West Virginia Code to expand the locations designated as safe surrender sites for newborns. It allows emergency medical service facilities, police departments, 911 call centers, and sheriff's detachments to accept custody of children voluntarily surrendered by their parents within 30 days of birth. These facilities are also authorized to perform necessary actions to protect the child's health and safety and can install newborn safety devices that enable anonymous surrender of infants. The bill outlines the requirements for these devices, including alarm systems and continuous staffing by licensed emergency medical personnel.

Additionally, the bill provides legal protections for individuals who surrender a child anonymously, ensuring that such actions are not classified as child abuse or neglect. It grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to emergency medical service providers acting in good faith while retrieving children from these safety devices, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. The governing entities of the designated facilities are required to post signs indicating their status as safe surrender sites, thereby informing the public of the option to safely surrender a child.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-4-201, 49-4-206
Committee Substitute: 49-4-201, 49-4-206
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 49-4-201, 49-4-206