Michigan Adoption Laws, Page 7

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Infant Safe Haven Laws

Infant’s Age

Statute: § 712.1

• 72 hours old or younger

Who May Relinquish the Infant

Statute: § 712.3

• Parent

Who May Receive the Infant

Statute: § 712.1

• Emergency service providers:
  
  
  • Fire departments
    
  • Hospitals
    
  • Police stations

Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider

• Take the child into temporary protective custody
  
• Provide the child with any necessary care and transport the child to a hospital if necessary
  
• Inform the parent that by surrendering the child, they are relinquishing their rights to the child to a child-placing agency for adoption
  
• Provide written material that informs the parent about rights and available services
  
• Encourage the parent to provide family and medical information
  
• Notify a child-placing agency about the child
  
• Make a child protection report if abuse of the child is suspected, or if the examining physician suspects that the child is not a newborn

Immunity for the Provider

Statute: § 712.2

Protection for Relinquishing Parent

• Any information provided by the parent is not made public.
  
• Relinquishment to a safe haven is an affirmative defense to prosecution for injury or abandonment.

Effect on Parental Rights

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

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