Section 23-13.1-1. – Short title.

§ 23-13.1-1. Short title. This chapter may be cited as the “Safe Haven for Infants Act.” History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 53, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 130, § 1.

Section 23-13.1-2. – Definitions.

§ 23-13.1-2. Definitions. As used in this chapter: “Infant” means a newborn human child which is thirty (30) days old or younger. History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 53, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 130, § 1.

Section 23-13.1-3. – Voluntary surrender of infant child.

§ 23-13.1-3. Voluntary surrender of infant child. (a) Every hospital, open medical emergency facility, fire station, or police station operating in the state of Rhode Island shall, without court order, take temporary physical custody of an infant, who appears to be age thirty (30) days or younger, who is voluntarily left with a staff member […]

Section 23-13.1-4. – Immunity.

§ 23-13.1-4. Immunity. A person who leaves an infant, age thirty (30) days or younger, at a hospital or other facility designated under this chapter, or directs another person to do so, shall be immune from prosecution only for the act of abandonment of the infant pursuant to §§ 11-2-1 and 11-9-5(a) provided that: (1) […]

Section 23-13.1-5. – DCYF — Procedure.

§ 23-13.1-5. DCYF — Procedure. (a) Immediately upon any time that a hospital or other facility designated in this chapter takes physical possession of an infant pursuant to this chapter, the hospital or other facility designated in this chapter shall notify the director of the department of children, youth and families, or his or her […]

Section 23-13.1-6. – Awareness program.

§ 23-13.1-6. Awareness program. There shall be established a “Safe Haven for Infants Awareness Program” which shall distribute literature relative to the rights and immunity established under this chapter. The awareness program shall be administered by the director of the department of children, youth and families or his or her designee. As part of the […]

Section 23-13.1-7. – Annual report to the legislature.

§ 23-13.1-7. Annual report to the legislature. The director of the department of children, youth and families shall report annually to the general assembly at its January session as to the status of any infant abandoned under this chapter and all costs incurred by the department relative to this chapter. History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. […]

Section 23-13.1-8. – Severability.

§ 23-13.1-8. Severability. If any provision of this chapter or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect the provisions or application of this chapter, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this […]