Newborn child safe havens-age of child.

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not specify whether additional services or support for safe haven providers are provided by this act.

Expanding Age Limit for Newborn Safe Havens

This law changes the age limit for newborns who can be safely relinquished to designated places like hospitals and fire stations from 14 days old to 60 days old.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the definition of 'newborn child' in Wyoming's safe haven laws to include children up to 60 days old instead of just those under 14 days old.

Who It Names or Affects

• Parents or guardians of newborn children up to 60 days old
• Hospitals, fire stations, police departments, and other safe haven providers

Terms To Know

Newborn child

A baby who is 60 days old or younger as determined by a medical professional.

Safe haven provider

Places like hospitals, fire stations, and police departments where parents can safely leave newborns without legal consequences.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law only applies to Wyoming.
• It does not provide funding for additional services or support for safe havens.
• The effectiveness of the expanded age limit is uncertain and may require further evaluation.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 24LSO-0417

Bill No.:

HB0090

Effective:

Immediately

LSO No.:

24LSO-0417

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0045

Chapter No.:

112

Prime Sponsor:

Rodriguez-Williams

Catch Title:

Newborn child safe havens-age of child.

Has Report:

No

Subject:

Relinquishment of newborn children to safe havens.

Summary/Major Elements:

The purpose of Wyoming’s newborn child safe haven statutes is to provide to a parent of a newborn child the means to relinquish the child so that the child may be cared for and protected in a safe haven. Safe haven providers include fire stations, hospitals, police departments, sheriff’s offices and any other place of shelter and safety identified by the Department of Family Services.

This act increases the age of a newborn child who may be relinquished to a safe haven provider from a child who is fourteen (14) days of age or younger (as determined within a reasonable degree of medical certainty) to a child who is sixty (60) days of age or younger (as determined within a reasonable degree of medical certainty).

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

24LSO-0417

ORIGINAL House

Bill No
.
HB0090

ENROLLED ACT NO. 45,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2024 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to children; amending the age of newborn children who may be relinquished to a safe haven provider; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 14
‑
11
‑
102(a)(vi) is amended to read:

14
‑
11
‑
102.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in this act:

(vi)

"Newborn child" means a child who is
fourteen (14)
sixty (60)
days of age or younger as determined within a reasonable degree of medical certainty;

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2024
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

1