DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 108 Original 2019 Regular Session Pylant
Abstract: Authorizes the installation and use of newborn safety devices at infant relinquishment
sites designated in the Safe Haven Law and provides requirements and specifications relative
to such devices.
Present law known as the "Safe Haven Law", Ch.C. Art. 1149 et seq., provides a mechanism
whereby any parent may relinquish the care of an infant who is not more than 60 days old to the state
at a designated emergency care facility in safety and anonymity and without fear of prosecution.
Defines "designated emergency care facility" as any of the following:
(1)Any state-licensed hospital.
(2)Any of the following medical clinics during normal and customary hours of operation: local
or parish public health units, licensed rural health clinics, licensed ambulatory surgical
centers, and Federally Qualified Health Centers. Present law stipulates that offices, clinics,
or other types of treatment facilities and offices of physicians and dentists not listed in this
paragraph are not designated emergency care facilities within the meaning of present law.
(3)Any manned fire station.
(4)Any manned law enforcement station.
(5)Any Child Advocacy Center accredited by the National Children's Alliance, during normal
and customary hours of operation.
Present law provides that if a parent wishes to relinquish his infant, he may leave the infant in the
care of any employee of a designated emergency care facility.
Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law provides that in addition to leaving an infant in the care of an employee of a designated
emergency care facility, a parent who wishes to relinquish his infant may do so using a newborn
safety device at such a facility, provided that the device meets all of the following specifications:
(1)The device has been voluntarily installed by the designated emergency care facility.
(2)The device is physically located inside of a designated emergency care facility that is staffed 24 hours per day by a provider of medical services.
(3)The device is located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to the employees of the
designated emergency care facility.
Proposed law authorizes designated emergency care facilities that are staffed 24 hours per day by a
provider of medical services to install on their premises, in areas that are conspicuous and visible
to the employees of the facility, newborn safety devices. Stipulates that a designated emergency care
facility which installs a newborn safety device as authorized by proposed law shall be responsible
for the cost of the installation.
Proposed law requires each designated emergency care facility that installs a newborn safety device
to install, additionally, an adequate dual alarm system connected to the physical location of the
newborn safety device. Requires the facility to ensure all of the following with respect to the alarm
system on the newborn safety device:
(1)It is tested at least one time per week to ensure that it is in working order.
(2)It is visually checked at least two times per day to ensure that it is in working order.
(Amends Ch.C. Arts. 1151 and 1152(A), (F)(intro. para.), (G), and (H))