Tennessee Adoption Laws, Page 7

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Infant Safe Haven Laws

Infant’s Age

• 72 hours old or younger
  

  

Who May Relinquish the Infant

Statute: § 68-11-255

• Mother

Who May Receive the Infant

• Hospital
  
• Birthing center
  
• Community health clinic
  
• Outpatient walk-in clinic

Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider

• Perform any act necessary to protect the child's health and safety
  
• May ask the parent for identification and health information
  
• May provide information to the parent about the legal effects of relinquishment and available social services
  
• Notify the department within 24 hours, but not before the mother leaves the facility

Immunity for the Provider

Statute: § 68-11-255

Protection for Relinquishing Parent

Statute: § 68-11-255

• Any information that is received is kept confidential.
  
• Immunity for criminal prosecution is provided if the child is delivered unharmed.

Effect on Parental Rights

• The Department of Children's Services assumes custody of the child.
  
• Notice will be published in a newspaper to give the putative father an opportunity to claim the child.
  
• Failure of the mother to seek contact for 90 days shall be grounds for termination of parental rights.
  

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

Caring for Kids Adoptions

Serving birth parents & families in Ohio. Free services to birth parents.

http://www.cfkadopt.org

Adoption Connection

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

www.AdoptionConnection.org

Adoption Disruption Help

Transitions Group Home Out-of-home placement andcounseling

www.transitionsgrouphome.com