§ 19-10A-1. Short Title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Safe Place for Newborns Act of 2002.” History. Code 1981, § 19-10A-1 , enacted by Ga. L. 2002, p. 1137, § 1; Ga. L. 2017, p. 522, § 1/HB 391.
§ 19-10A-2. Definitions
As used in this chapter, the term: “Fire station” means a facility of any fire department which is authorized to exercise the general and emergency powers enumerated in Code Sections 25-3-1 and 25-3-2. “Medical facility” means any licensed general or specialized hospital, institutional infirmary, health center operated by a county board of health, or facility […]
§ 19-10A-3. Purpose
It is the express purpose and intent of the General Assembly in enacting this chapter to prevent injuries to and deaths of newborn children that are caused by a mother who abandons the newborn. History. Code 1981, § 19-10A-3 , enacted by Ga. L. 2002, p. 1137, § 1; Ga. L. 2017, p. 522, § […]
§ 19-10A-4. No Criminal Prosecution for Leaving Child in Custody of Medical Facility, Fire Station, or Police Station
A mother shall not be prosecuted for violating Code Section 16-5-70, 16-12-1, or 19-10-1 because of the act of leaving her newborn child in the physical custody of an employee, agent, or member of the staff of a medical facility, fire station, or police station who is on duty, whether there in a paid or […]
§ 19-10A-5. Investigating and Reporting Utilization of Provisions
The Department of Human Services shall investigate and report to the General Assembly as to children left with a medical facility, fire station, or police station pursuant to Code Section 19-10A-4, including in such report the desirability and cost effectiveness of a dedicated toll-free telephone line for providing information to and answering questions from the […]
§ 19-10A-6. Reimbursement of Medical Costs; Placement With Department of Human Services
A medical facility which accepts for inpatient admission or a fire station or police station which accepts a child left pursuant to Code Section 19-10A-4 shall be reimbursed by the Department of Human Services for all reasonable medical and other reasonable costs associated with the child prior to the child being placed in the care […]
§ 19-10A-7. Liability
Medical facilities, fire stations, and police stations and their employees, agents, and staff members shall not be liable for civil damages or subject to criminal prosecution for failure to discharge the duties provided for in this chapter. The immunity provided in this chapter shall in no way be construed as providing immunity for any acts […]
§ 19-10A-8. Posting of Signs at Medical Facilities, Fire Stations, or Police Stations Indicating Authorized Location for Leaving Newborns
The Department of Human Services shall develop standards for a sign that shall be posted at any medical facility, fire station, or police station to inform the general public that such facility is an authorized location to leave a newborn child as provided in this chapter. The Department of Human Services shall provide by rule […]