summary
Introduced
02/03/2025
02/03/2025
In Committee
03/21/2025
03/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Provides that as soon as practicable, the Department of Children and Family Services, in consultation with the county board of each county, shall identify hospital emergency departments, fire stations, emergency medical facilities, and police stations to install, maintain, and provide outreach regarding newborn safety devices. Provides that each county having a population less than 500,000 shall identify one hospital emergency department, fire station, emergency medical facility, or police station to install a newborn safety device; and each county having a population greater than 500,000 shall identify a total of 4 hospital emergency departments, fire stations, emergency medical facilities, or police stations, or any combination of those facilities, to install a newborn safety device. Requires the Department to award grants to the designated facilities of each county to pay for the installation of a newborn safety device and any other costs associated with maintaining proper operation of the device. Provides that a designated facility's acceptance of the grant award and any agreement to install and maintain a newborn safety device shall be strictly voluntary. Provides that a hospital emergency department, fire station, emergency medical facility, or police station that operates a newborn safety device is immune from civil liability for an act or omission relating to the operation of the newborn safety device unless the act or omission constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. Makes conforming changes throughout the Act.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act to establish a comprehensive framework for newborn safety devices, which are secure, monitored containers installed at hospitals, fire stations, emergency medical facilities, and police stations to allow parents to safely and anonymously relinquish newborn infants. The bill requires the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to work with county boards to identify and install these devices, with counties under 500,000 population establishing one device and counties over 500,000 establishing four devices. The newborn safety devices must meet specific safety requirements, including being located in a conspicuous area, allowing anonymous infant placement, locking automatically, providing a controlled environment, notifying staff within 30 seconds of an infant's placement, and triggering a 9-1-1 call if staff do not respond promptly. The bill provides grant funding for device installation and maintenance, with facility participation being strictly voluntary, and offers legal immunity to facilities operating these devices unless they demonstrate gross negligence. Additionally, the bill modifies existing provisions related to infant relinquishment, including signage requirements and information packets for parents, with special provisions for infants left in these new safety devices to ensure their protection and prompt care.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (on 03/21/2025)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2492&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/HB/10400HB2492.htm |
Loading...