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Georgia Adoption Laws, Page 7

Infant Safe Haven Laws

Infant’s Age

Statute: § 19-10A-4

  • Not more than 1 week old

Who May Relinquish the Infant

Statute: § 19-10A-4

  • Mother

Who May Receive the Infant

Statute: §§ 19-10A-2; 19-10A-4

  • Employees, agents, or members of staff of any medical facility, including:

    • Hospital
    • Infirmary
    • Health center
    • Birth center
    • This does not include the private offices of physicians or dentists.

Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider

Statute: § 19-10A-6

  • Accept the child for inpatient admission
  • Notify the Department of Human Resources

Immunity for the Provider

Statute: § 19-10A-7

Yes

Protection for Relinquishing Parent

Statute: § 19-10A-4

  • The mother shall not be prosecuted for cruelty to a child, contributing to the deprivation of a child, or abandonment, provided that the child is not more than 1 week old.
  • The mother must provide proof of her identity and her name and address to the person accepting the child.

Effect on Parental Rights

Statute: § 19-10A-6

  • The department will take physical custody of the child within 6 hours.
  • The department shall bring the child before the juvenile court to determine placement, as required by § 15-11-47.

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

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