Bill > HB4069

This bill updates Michigan's penal code regarding child abandonment, specifically clarifying and expanding provisions related to the safe surrender of newborns. The bill modifies existing law to explicitly recognize newborn safety devices as an acceptable alternative to surrendering an infant to an emergency service provider, and ensures that no criminal investigation will be initiated solely based on a newborn being surrendered through these approved methods. The legislation maintains that a parent or individual can avoid criminal prosecution for abandonment if they surrender a newborn who is no more than 72 hours old to an emergency service provider or a newborn safety device, as outlined in the safe delivery of newborns law. The bill also adds several new definitions to provide clarity, including defining terms like "newborn safety device" and "safe delivery of newborns law," and updates references to various legal codes. Additionally, the bill includes provisions related to the born alive infant protection act and specifies that an attending physician who fails to comply with requirements for a live birth during an attempted abortion can still be prosecuted under child abandonment statutes. The amendments will take effect 90 days after enactment and are contingent upon the passage of a companion bill.

Military Affairs and Security

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4069