Colorado Adoption Laws, Page 7

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Infant Safe Haven Laws

Infant’s Age

Statute: § 19-3-304.5

• 72 hours or younger

Who May Relinquish the Infant

Statute: § 19-3-304.5

• Parent

Who May Receive the Infant

• Firefighter at a fire station
  
• Hospital staff member at a hospital

Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider

• Perform any act necessary to protect the health of the child
  
• Notify law enforcement and the county department within 24 hours

Immunity for the Provider

Statute: § 19-3-304.5

Protection for Relinquishing Parent

• A parent who safely relinquishes a child shall not have his or her name added to the State central child protection registry.
  
• Relinquishment to a safe haven is an affirmative defense to prosecution for placing a child in a threatening situation.

Effect on Parental Rights

Statute: § 19-3-304.

• The department shall:
  
  • Place the child in an adoptive home
    
  • Proceed to terminate the parent's rights as soon as lawfully possible
    
  
  

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)

Adoption Directory

Find adoption agencies, services and professionals.

adoptiondirectory.com

Adoption Connection

Making Sure Babies are Happy. Find a loving family for your baby.

www.AdoptionConnection.org

Adoption Attorney

The Law Office of Todd Kolarik Specializing in Adoption Disruption

www.tmklaw.com