We do all the tedious work so you don’t have to.
ll information is taken from official state legislative pages unless otherwise indicated. We also link each bill to LegSan, an easy way to check on bills.
For more information on these bills, go to the appropriate links. For previous sessions Visit links for 2019 – 2018 – 2017 – 2016 – 2015 – 2014.
State legislative Calendars
Go to individual State Pages for more details on state actions. such as Action Alerts, testimony reports, and news stories
2121 Legislative page.
December 10, 2020: Bills have begun to be pre-filed for next session. Those will show up on our 2021 Legislative Page that will go live at the end of December 2020.
Reporters: Marley Greiner, Jean Ulrich, Lisa Zatonsky
ACCESS BILLS
_____________________________________________________
***Arizona***
Bastard Nation Arizona State Page
Summary: Unrestricted access bill. All adoptees born in Arizona 18 years of age and older can receive a non-certified copy of OBC. Defendants not include, Contains a genuine Contact Preference Form, that does not affect access.
Lead Sponsor: Representatives Roberts: Andrade, Biasiucci, Blackman, Blanc, Butler, Cano, Carroll, Cobb, Cook, DeGrazia, Dunn, Engel, Finchem, Hernandez A, Lieberman, Longdon, Osborne, Powers Hannley, Rivero, Rodriguez, Shah, Sierra, Teller, Toma, Tsosie, Senators Alston, Bowie, Livingston, Mesnard, Steele
Submitting Group:
Support: Heritage Arizona
Oppose:
Bill History and Actions:
- Unk: Introduced
- February 12, 2020: In House Health and Human Services Committee; Rules Committee
- February:20, 2020: Hearing Human Services Committee: Passed 9-0 with Fiscal Note Amendment
- February 25, 2020: Passed House Committee without amendment
- February 27, 2020: Passed House 53-7;
- February 28, 2020; Sent to Senate
- March 2, 2020: 1st reading in Senate; Referred to Senate Judiciary and Rules
***Connecticut***
Bastard Nation Connecticut State Page
Summary Nearly identical to last year’s bill. Amends current access law to allow individuals adopted prior to October 1, 1983, and their adult children or grandchildren, to obtain unrestricted access to an uncertified copy of an original certificate of birth. Those adopted after that date currently have unrestricted access. Last year’s bill had tremendous support, but was held up by a small group of politicians who oppose.
Lead Sponsor(s: Planning and Development Committee
Submitting Group: Access Connecticut (not affiliated with BN)
Support: Access Connecticut, Bastard Nation, Adoptee Law Center. Link to all public testimony) (video of hearing)
Oppose
Bill History and Actions
- February 13, 2020: Introduced; Referred to Committee on Planning and Development
- February 21, 2020: Public Hearing scheduled
- February 28, 2020: Passed favorably out of Committee on Planning and Development
***Florida***
Bastard Nation Florida State Page
Summary: Companion to SB 302. Technical changes to current Florida access law that does not further access and if passed, likely will hinder future access campaigns. Removes need for adoptive parent approval.
Lead Sponsor: Rep. Richard Stark
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation. Adoptee Rights Law
Bill History and Actions:
- September 23, 2019: Filed; Referred to Health Committee, Civil Justice Committee, Health, and Human Services Committee (for 2020 Session)
- November 6, 2019: Voted favorable out of House Quality Subcommittee
- January 14, 2020: 1st reading in House Civil Justice Subcommittee
- January 29,2020: passed House Civil Justice Subcommittee
- February 18, 2020: Voted Favorable out of House Health and Human Services Committee
- February 20,: Referred ti Giyssel 1st reading :
- February 21, 2020: Placed on House 2nd reading calendar
- March 2, 2020: On Senate Rules Committee agenda
- March 4, 2020: Sent to Senate
- March 5, 2020: Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee
- March 12, 2020: 2nd reading
- March 13, 2020: 3rd Reading; Passed 37-2; Enrolled
- June 3, 2020: Sent to Governor for signature
######
Summary: Companion to HB89. See above.
Lead Sponsor: Sen. Kevin Rader
Bill History and Actions:
- September 17, 2019: Filed (for 2020 Session)
- January 14, 2020: Introduced
- February 6, 2020: 1st read Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
- February 10, 2020: Now in Judiciary
- February 18, 2020: Senate Health Policy Committee hearing. Passed favorably with an amendment from Florida Adoption Council mandating written consent from adoptive parent for access for adoptees under 18; written consent from birthparent for those 18 and over.
- February 19, 2020: Hearing n Senate Judiciary: Passed favorable, 5-0
- February 20, 2020: Sent to Rules\
- March 2, 2020: Passed Rules Committee 16-1
- March 3, 2020: Placed on calendar
- March 10, 2020: Placed on Special Order Calendar
- March 11, 2020: 2nd reading; Placed on table
***Iowa***
Bastard Nation Iowa State Page
Summary: Continuation of last session’s confusing bill process. This once unrestricted OBC access bill now contains birthparent redaction “rights” for current and future adoptions that maintain after the death of a parent. (Note: Last session the then-unrestricted bill was compromised when the Iowa Adoptee and Family Coalition agreed to redaction provisions. The Senate approved changes but the bill died when it was returned to the House and was not brought for debate. After the bill was deformed, Bastard Nation and the Adoptee Rights Law Center pulled support.)
Lead Sponsor(s): Committee of the Government
Submitting Group
Support: Iowa Adoptee and Family Coalition
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptee Rights Law Center,
Bill History and Actions:
- January 13, 2020: Referred to House Ways and Means Committee
- February 6, 2020: Subcommitee recommends passage with an amendment to redact at birthparent request personally identifiable information, Redaction option included in fake CPF
- March 10, 2020: Commiteee report with recommendation to pass; filed
- June 14, 2020, Dead. Sine Die (Legislature closed early)
***Maryland***
Bastard Nation Maryland State Page
Summary: Companion to SB743. Provides for the unrestricted OBC access Includes a genuine contact preference forms (CPF) or both birthparents and adoptees, (current law provides for both); allows a birthparent to request and obtain the OBC in addition to the adult adoptee at age 18,(current laws mandates age 21) and sunsets all prior disclosure vetoes (very few are likely on file) beginning October 1, 2020. Previously filed DVs are converted into contact preferences indicating that no contact is preferred. Maryland Adoptee Rights is pursuing the bill, and a coalition of adoptee rights groups supporting legislation in the US capitol region is expected to be announced shortly. House bill to be filed soon. The 2020 Maryland legislature adjourns on April 6, 2020.
Lead Sponsor(s): Del. Michael Malone
Submitting Group
Support: Capitol Coalition for Adoptee Rights, Bastard Nation
Oppose
Bill History and Actions:
- February 5. 2020: Introduced; 1st reading; Referred to House Judiciary Committee
- February 20, 2020: Hearing in House Judiciary Committee:; no opposition spoke; no action
- March 5, 2020: Passed favorable out of House Judiciary Committee
- March 11, 2020: Third Reading
- March 12, 2020: Passed; Sent to Senate
######
Summary: Companion to HB1039
Lead Sponsor(s) Sen. Susan Lee
Bill History and Actions:
- February 3, 2020: 1st reading Senate Judicial Proceedings
- February 25, 2020: Hering Senate Judicial Proceedings; o action
***Massachusetts***
Bastard Nation Massachusetts State Page
Held over from 2019
Companion to S1267 (see below)
Summary: Current Massachusetts law allows adoptees to access their original birth certificates without condition at age 18 if they were adopted on or before July 17, 1974, or on or after January 1, 2008., This bill will unseal records for those adopted between July 18, 1974 and December 31, 2008
See BN Leg pages for 2016 and 2018 for information on previous attempts to pass this identical proposal. BN has supported all of these bills.
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep. Sean Garballey, Rep. David Cullinane
Submitting Group: OBC for MA–Massachusetts Access, Facebook (not affiliated with Bastard Nation)
Support: Bastard Nation, Adoptee Rights Law Center
Oppose
Bill History and Actions:
- January 17, 2019: Filed
- January 22, 2019: Senate concurred; referred to House Public Health Committee
- February 13, 2020: Reported out favorable; Referred to Third Reading Committee.
- July 27, 2020: Third read; Passed House; engrossed
- July 29, 2020: 1st read in Senate;; referred to Senate Rules
######
Held over from 2019
Companion to HD1892 (see above)
Summary: See above
Lead Sponsor:
Bill History and Actions:
- January 22, 2019: Introduced; referred to Committee on Public Health’ House concurred.
- December 10, 2019: Hearing in Joint Committee
- February 3, 2020: Reported out favorably; Referred to House Steering, Policy, Scheduling Committee
- May 21, 2020: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Rules
######
Held over from 2019
Summary: Mandates birthparents to submit health/medical history up to 2 generations to the state before a relinquishment is completed.
Lead Sponsor: Rep. RoseLee Vincent
Submitting Group: none
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions:
- Mach 21, 2019: Referred to Children’s, Families, and Persons with Disabilities Committee
- March 22, 2019: Senate concurred
- September 10, 2019: Hearing scheduled no results posted
- December 10, 2019: Hearing scheduled in Joint Committee
***Minnesota***
Bastard Nation Minnesota State Page
Held over from 2019
LegScan
Companion to SF2606
Summary: HF260 and SF2606 are the first clean bills ever filed in Minnesota and they constitute a necessary step toward dismantling a complex system that has existed in Minnesota since 1977, A detailed memo explaining each of the sections in the Senate bill is here. The Minnesota legislature adjourned its regular session on May 20, 2019, though the bills are expected to carry over to the 2020 session.
Lead Sponsor(s) Rep: Dave Baker
Submitting Group;
Support: Bastard Nation, Adoptee Rights Law Center
Oppose:
Bill History and Actions
-
- May 18, 2019: Introduced; and Public Saftey, Finance, and Policy; 1st reading’ referred to Judiciary Committee
######
Held over from 2019
- Lead Sponsor(s) Sen.Jim Carlson
- Bill History and Actions
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-
- March 20, 2019: Introduced. 1st reading; referred to Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy
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***Mississippi***
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Bastard Nation Mississippi State Page
Summary: Information bill, vague in places: which will release identifying information to adoptee, but apparently not the OBC. Includes (1) unrestricted access to identifying information to all adoptees at the age of 21. (2) Sunsets DVs when adoptee turns 21; (3) adoptee must request information from (any?) adoption agencies offering post-adoption services; (4) agency will search for bparent(s), tell bparents you have applied and request information from them; (5), if bparent refuses or cannot be located, identifying information, will be released to adoptee; (6) Cost not to exceed $100 per bparent. It is unclear if this bill is retroactive or prospective.
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep. Lee Yancy
Submitting Group
Support
Oppose
Bill History and Actions
- February 6, 2020: Introduced; Referred to House Judiciary Committee (must be reported out by March 3, 2020 to be considered).
- March 3. 2020: Dead
***Rhode Island***
Bastard Nation Rhode Island State Page
S2692 State Legislative Page (Type in bill #)
Summary: Rhode Island already has unrestricted OBC but at the age of 25. The bill lowers the age of access. Those born before July 1, 2020 will get OBC at age 18; those born after that date can access theirs upon DOB. Access includes lawful representative and direct line of descendants of deceased adoptees
Lead Sponsor(s): Sen. Gayle Goldin
Submitting Group:
Support: Bastard Nation
Oppose
Bill History and Actions:
- February 27, 2020: Introduced; referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
- Dead Sine Die
***Tennessee***
Bastard Nation-State Page
Companion to SB2143
Summary: Repeal Contact Veto in state law
Lead Sponsor(s): William Lambeth
Submitting Group:
Support: Bastard Nation
Oppose:
Bill History and Actions:
- February 5, 2020: Introduced
February 6, 2020: Referred to House Judiciary Committee; assigned to Children & Families Subcommittee
- February 26, 2020: Do Pass recommendation from CF Committee; sent to Judiciary
- March 11, 2020: scheduled for Judiciary: canceled due to shutdown
- May 26, 2020: Hearing scheduled.for Judiciary Committee; Taken off notice for cal. in Judiciary Committee
- May 26, 2020: taken off schedule
- June 21, 2020: Dead. Sine Die
- ######
Summary: Companion to HB2212 (see above) for details)
Lead Sponsor(s) Sen. Jack Johnson
Bill History and Actions:
- February 6, 2020: Introduction
February 10, 2020: Passed 2nd consideration; sent to Senate. Judiciary Committee
March 17, 2920: Senate Judiciary Committee; Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee
- June 21, 2020: Dead. Sine Die
***Utah***
Bastard Nation Utah State Page
Summary: Allows an adult adoptee to access an “adoption document” related to the adult adoptee in certain circumstances allows a birth parent to refuse an adult adoptee’s access to an adoption document; can state preferences regarding contact with the adult adoptee. Requests would go through court. Bill does not define “adoption document” and does not mention OBC. The session ends on March 12.
Lead Sponsor(s): Stewart E. Barlow
Submitting Group:
Support:
Oppose:
Bill History and Actions
- February 14, 2020: Introduced
- February 18, 2020: 1st reading in the House
- February 20, 2020: House referred to Health and Human Services
- February 24, 2020: Voted out of committee “favorable.” (No support or opposition testimony taken); 2nd reading in House (video)
- February 27, 2020: Bill :”circled” to give time to amend. Amendment unknown (video)
- March 2, 2020: Amended
- March 2, 2020: Uncircled, House readings, Amended to strike birth parent consent for access and
refusal” clause making bill clean. Recircled. - March 9, 2020: Uncircled; Floor Amendment to add redaction; passed 3rd reading
- March 10, 2020: Introduced in Senate; 1st reading
- March 11, 2020: Fiscal note
- March 12, 2020: 2nd and 3rd Reading; Passed. Sent to House. Passed.
- March 16,: enrolled
- March 30, 2020: Signed by Governor.
***Vermont***
Bastard Nation Vermont State Page
Summary: Confusing amendment to confusing state law with seemingly arbitrary dates. proposes to allow adoption records to be disclosed to adoptees adopted prior to 1961 and public agencies to disclose adoption records concerning an individual after that individual has been deceased for 50 years. Includes DVs and redactions.,
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep. Maida Townsend
Submitting Group
Support
Oppose: Bastard nation
Bill History and Actions:
- January 14, 2020: Introduced, 1st reading;l Referred to House Committee on Human Services
***West Virginia***
Bastard Nation West Virginia State Page
Summary: Similar to companion bills last session.
- Adoptees at least 18 years of age, who have graduated from high school, completed GED, or legally withdrawn from secondary schooling or, if the adoptee is deceased, the adoptee’s descendants, may apply to the Department of Health and Human Resources for the adoptee’s noncertified OBC.
- Contains corrupt CPF that enables state to redact first parent ID on request of first parent
Lead Sponsor(s): Sen. Bill Hamilton, Sen Stephen Baldwin
Submitting Group:
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptee Rights Law Center
Bill History and Actions:
- January 8, 2020: Introduced; Sent to Senate Health and Human Services committee; then to Senate Judiciary Committee
- February 27, 2020: Failed to meet committee deadline.DEAD
***Wisconsin***
Bastard Nation Wisconsin State Page
-
- AB579 Legislative Page
- Held over from 2019
Summary: The state registrar to issue, if available, an unredacted copy of a report of adoption or similar form developed by the Department of Health Services relating to adoption upon request if the requester is the subject of the report of adoption and at least 21 years old, and if 1) the requester’s birth parent’s rights have been terminated in this state; 2) the requester was adopted in this state with the consent of his or her birth parent or parents before February 1, 1982; or 3) the requester was born to a surrogate mother and a court determined parental rights SB521 (see below). The bill does not authorize the release of the original birth certificate
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep Paul Tittil ,et al
Submitting Group:
Support: Adoptee Equal Rights Task Force Wisconsin
Oppose:
Bill History and Actions:
October 25, 2019: Introduced; 1st reading. Referred to House Committee on Family Law
January 7, 2020: Hearing in House Committee on Family Law, See VIdeo..(11:00) Submitted written testimony. (Does not include all testimony.)
February 11, 2020: Sponsor Tittl introduced Amendment adding DV to bill.
- April 1, 2020: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
######
Held Over from 2019
Summary: See above
Lead Sponsor:(s):Sen. Andre Jacque,Sen. Lena C Taylor
Bill History and Actions:
-
- October 25, 2019: Introducer, 1st reading. Referred to Senate Committee on Universities, Technical Colleges, Children and Families, and Important Actions
- December 4, 2019: Hearing in Senate Committee on Universities, Technical Colleges, Children and Families, and Important Actions. Hearing video. Submitted written testimony and blank Report of Adoption form. Does not include all testimony.
- April 1, 2020: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
SAFE HAVEN BILLS
***Hawaii***
Bastard Nation Hawaii State Page
Companion to SB 2352 (see below)
Summary: Requires and appropriates funds for the department of health to engage in a public awareness campaign on the safe haven law in the State.
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep. John Mizuno
Submitting Group: Legislative Keiki Caucus (Year of the Child)
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions
- January 21, 2020: 1st reading; Referred to Department of Health and Appropriations committees
\
######
Companion to HB2052 (see above)
Summary: see above
Lead Sponsor(s) Sen Karl Rhoads, Sen. Stanley Chang
Bill History and Actions
- January 21, 2020: Introduced
- January 23, 2020: Referred to CPHm WAM committees
- January 24, 2020: Public Hearing
- January 29, 2020: CPH Committee recommends passage, 6-0-0-1
- February 14, 2020: Reported and adopted with amendment
***Indiana ***
Bastard Nation Indiana State Page
Summary: Provides that when the department of child services (department) takes custody of a child who is voluntarily left with an emergency services provider or in a newborn safety device, the department shall: (1) not later than 72 hours after the department takes custody of the child, contact each licensed child placing agency in Indiana and request that the licensed child placing agency inform the department of any suitable prospective adoptive parent for the child known to the licensed child placing agency; (2) collaborate with licensed child placing agencies to identify a prospective adoptive parent for the child; (3) request that the state department of health conduct one or more searches of the putative child registry on behalf of the child before a petition is filed to terminate parental rights with regard to the child, with at least one request being made not earlier than 30 days after the estimated date of birth of the child; and (4) notify an individual identified as a potential father by the registry search that the individual’s consent to termination of the parent-child relationship will be irrevocably implied if the individual does not file a paternity action with regard to the child
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep Ryan Lauer
Submitting Group:
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions
- January 14, 2020: Introduced; referred to House Committee on Family and Human Affairs
- January 28, 2020: Failed to make 2/4 committee calendar.Dead
***New Jersey***
Bastard Nation New Jersey State Page
Summary: Requires Safe Haven signage displayed in each restroom used by females in public and private elementary or secondary schools for children 12 years of age or older or institutions of higher education within the state; random state checks of institutions to ensure signs are posted.
Submitting Group
Support
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions:
- February 24, 2020:” Introduced, Referred to Assembly Women and Childen Committee
***Tennessee***
Bastard Nation Tennessee State State
SB 2629 State Legislative Page
Summary: Amends state’s Safe haven law to expand the age of newborns legally abandoned from 0-3 days to 14 days.
Lead Sponsor(s): Sen.Dawn White
Submitting Group
Support
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions:
- February 6, 2020:: Introduced; Passed 1st consideration;
- February 10, 2020: Passed 2nd consideration. 2nd reading; Sent to Senate Judiciary Committee; Judiciary recommends passage
- February 18, 2020: Passed Senate 28-2
- February: Received in House
- June 3, 2020: Sub for HB22357; passed and enrolled (96-0-0)
- June 4, 2020: Read for signature
######
Leg Scan
Summary: Companion to SB 2629 (see above for details)
Lead Sponsor(s) Rep Mary Littleton
Bill History and Actions:
- February 5, 2020: Introduced
- February 6, 2020: Referred to House Judiciary Committee
- February 190, 2020: Assigned to House Judiciary Committee; Referred to Houses Children & Families Subcommittee
- March 4, 2020: House C&F recommends passage; Sent to Judiciary Committee
- March 11, 2020: Judiciary Committee
- May 26, 2020: Hearing scheduled in Judiciary
***Utah***
Bastard Nation Utah State Page
Summary: Increases age infant can be legally abandoned through Safe Haven program to 30 days
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep. Patricia Arend
Submitting Group:
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions:
- January 3, 2020: Prefiled;
- January 16, 2020″ Received by House from Legislative Research clerk of House
- January 27, 2020: Fiscal note sent to sponsor; 1st reading; referred to Standing Committee
- January 29, 2020: Referred to House Standing Committee in House Health and Human Services
- February 5. 2020: Substituted recommended (clean up language) in House Health and Human Services; Favorable recommendation
- February 6, 2020: 2nd reading. Passed (audio)
- February 12, 2020: 2nd reading; Passed; Sent to Senate
- February 13, 2020: Introduced; 1st reading
- February 19, 2020: Passed favorable from Standing Committee
- February 20: Place for 2nd reading on Senate calendar.
- February 26, 2020: Senate Committee; voted favorable 2nd reading; placed on 3rd read calendar
- March 12. 2020: 3rd reading; passed; enrolled.
- March 28, 2020: Signed by Governor. Effective date: November 1, 2021
BABY BOX BILLS
***Florida***
Bastard Nation Florida State Page
Summary: Authorizes hospitals, emergency medical services stations, & fire stations to use newborn safety devices to accept surrendered newborn infants under certain circumstances; requires such entities to visually check & test device within specified timeframes; adds locations under which prohibition on initiation of criminal investigations based solely on surrendering of newborn infant applies.
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep. Mike Beltan
Submitting Group:
Support: Safe Haven Baby Boxes
Oppose: Bastard Nation, A Safe Haven for Newborns (Florida)
Bill History and Actions
- January 9, 2020: Filed
- January 14, 2020: Introduced
- January Referred to House Health Market Reform Subcommittee; Health Care Appropriation Subcommittee; Health and Human Series Subcommittee
- February 4, 2020: Passed by Health Market Reform Subcommittee; Y12-0. Video of hearing.
- February 11, 2020: Hearing in Health Care Appropriations SubCommittee, 8-1.Now in House Health and Human Services Committee
- February 18, 2020: Passed favorable out of on Health and Human Services agenda. 15-0
- February 20, 2020: Placed on House Judiciary Calendar
- February 28, 2020: Amendment filed: would shut down use of all BBs if a baby is injured or dies from use; re-opened when remedied.
- March 3, 2020: Heating scheduled on Special Order Committee
- March 4, 2020: 3rd reading; Passed House 115-2; sent to Senate; Referred to Referred to Health Policy; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Rules Committees
- March 12, 2020: Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration Dead. Crossover not heard in Senate Health Policy.
######
Summary: Companion bill to H1217 (see above)
Lead Sponsor(s): Sen. Dennis Baxley; Senate Health Policy Committee
Bill History and Actions:
- November 12. 2019: Filed
- November 21 2019: Referred to Health Policy. Children, Family, and Elder; and Rules Committees
- January 4, 2020: Introduced
- January 22, 2020: 1st reading in Health Policy Committee; passed 7-3
- February 18, 2020: Senate Health Policy Committee: last day of session failed to be heard. Dead.
***Georgia***
Bastard Nation Georgia State Page
Summary: Revises state’s safe haven law to include “legal abandonment” with an ambulance service or in a baby box. iIcludes a state government committee to investigate boxes before they are enacted in law.
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep. Sharon Cooper
Submitting Group
Support
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions
- February 3. 2020: House Hopper
- February 4, 2020: 1st reading
- February 5, 202:0 2nd reading
- March 12, 2020: 3rd reading, passed 168-2-10.
***Illinois***
Bastard Nation Illinois State Page
Summary: Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Provides that a hospital that is staffed continuously on a 24-hour, 7-day a week basis to provide care to patients in an emergency shall take temporary protective custody of any newborn infant who is left in a newborn safety device that: (1) has been approved by the hospital; (2) is physically located inside the hospital; and (3) is located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to hospital staff. Provides that a fire station, emergency medical facility, or police station that is staffed by an emergency medical services provider on a 24-hour, 7-day a week basis shall take temporary protective custody of a newborn infant who is voluntarily left in a newborn safety device that: (i) is located at the fire station, emergency medical facility, or police station; (ii) is located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to staff; and (iii) includes an adequate dual alarm system connected to the site that is tested at least one time per month to ensure the alarm system is in working order. Provides that facilities with baby boxes are police station 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. Provides that any person who in good faith voluntarily leaves a newborn infant in a newborn safety device as provided in the amendatory Act is not obligated to disclose the parent’s name or the person’s name. . Expands the definition of “relinquish” to mean to voluntarily leave a newborn infant, who a licensed physician reasonably believes is 30 days old or less, in a newborn safety device.
Lead Sponsor(s): Sen Dan MCConchie
Submitting Group
Support
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Save Abandoned Babies Foundation
Bill History and Actions
- February 11, 2020: Filed, 1st reading; Referred to Assignments Committee
***Indiana***
Bastard Nation Indiana State Page
Summary: A concurrent resolution encouraging education and the use of Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Indiana.
Lead Sponsor(s): Sen. Travis Holdman, Sen. Liz Brown.
Submitting Group
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions:
- January 28: Introduced, 1st reading; passed by voice vote
- January 29, 2020: Referred to House; 1st reading, passed by voice vote;
- January 30, 2020: Returned to Senate
- February 10, 2020: Passed; Monica Kelsey of Safe Haven Baby Boxes received a citation for work.
***Kentucky***
Summary: Amend KRS 405.075 to define and allow the use of a “newborn safety device” related to the anonymous surrendering of a newborn infant in the Commonwealth. Bill is confusing. Mandates bo be placed inside fire or police station, or a hospital. but later says it must be located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to police station,
25 fire station, or hospital staff;
Lead Sponsor(s) Rep. Nancy Tate, Rep. Myron Dossett, Rep. Samara Heavrin, Rep. Kim King
Submitting Group
Support
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions
- February 19, 3030:: Introduced in House
- February 21: Referred To House Health and Family Services Committee
- March 12, 2020: 1st Reading; Posted favorable;
- March 17, 2020: 2nd Reading; sent to Rules
- March 18, 2020: Reported favorable for passage
- March 19, 2020: 3rd reading; passed 83-1 with amendment clarifies definitions and locations); Received by Senate
- March 26, 2020: Send to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
- Not passed. Sine Die
***Louisiana***
Bastard Nation Louisiana State Page
Summary: Amends state Safe Haven law to include baby boxes. They can be installed voluntarily inside any emergency facility including hospitals, fire stations. Facilities must cover cost of installation by a licensed contractor.
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep. Mike Huval
Submitting Group:
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions:
- February 24, 2020: Prefiled, Provisionally referred to House Committee on Health and Welfare
- March 9, 2020: Referred to House Health and Welfare Committee
Michigan
HB4523 Legislative Page (Held over from last year
NOTE: HB4524 and HB 4525 appear to be the same bill or with a slightly different language. We will note if there are changes in these bills.
Summary: A parent may voluntarily deliver his or her newborn to a newborn safety device provided by a hospital. The newborn safety device must meet the requirements provided. The device must be installed in a location where the interior of the newborn safety device will be in a safe and secure location that is visible to the staff. Alternatively, the hospital must install, at the security desk, a video feed and an audio feed to capture the newborn safety device. The camera must be placed in a way that protects the anonymity of the parent delivering the newborn. A hospital must inspect and test a newborn safety device to ensure that the newborn safety device is functioning properly. Inspecting and testing required under this section must be performed 2 times every 24-hour period at 12-hour intervals. The hospital staff person who inspects and tests the newborn safety device must confirm by initialing a form, provided by the department, that testing and inspecting have been completed. The manufacturer is liable for any damages for personal injury, including death, that result from the use of or malfunction of a newborn safety device.
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep. Bronna Kahle
Submitting Group
Support
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions:
- April 30, 2019: Introduced;; 1st reading; Referred to Committee on Families, Children, and Seniors
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Summary: Amends probate law to mandate that the death of an infant born alive following an attempted abortion and was surrendered to an emergency service provider or a newborn safety device under the safe delivery of newborns law, shall be reported in the same manner as for any death. However, the deceased infant shall be listed as “Baby Doe” and no information that would directly identify the deceased infant or the deceased infant’s parents shall be reported,
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep. Julie Brixie
Submitting Group
Support
Oppose
Bill History and Actions:
- April 29, 2019: Introduced; 1st reading; Referred to Committee on Families,Children, and Seniors
***Missouri***
Bastard Nation Missouri State Page
Summary: mends Missouri’s “Safe Place for Newborns Act of 2002 to allow the installation and use of baby boxes (aka Newborn incubator device at various locations in th tt for the anonymous relinquishment of infants up to age 45 days.
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep. Jim Murphy
Submitting Group
Support:: Safe Haven Baby Boxes
Oppose:: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions:
- December 2l 2019: Prefile
- January 8, 2020: 1st reading
- January 9, 2020:” 2nd reading
- February 13, 2020: Referred to Houses Children and Families Committee
- February 18, 2020: Public Hearing. No new hearing scheduled)
- March 3, 2020: House voted Do Pass (9-0)
- March 4, 2020″ referred to Rules; Administrative Oversight
- March 11, 2020: Voted Do Pass
- April 27, 2020: Reported Do pass 9-1-0
- May 15, 2020: Dead. Sine Die
***New Jersey***
Bastard Nation New Jersey State Page
Holdover from last year (A440790)
Summary: requires newly constructed police stations, fire stations, and hospitals to provide “newborn safe device.” Allows affirmative defense to prosecution for abandonment if parents leaves child in baby box.
Lead Sponsor: Assb, Gabriela Mosquera
Submitting Group:
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions:
February 25, 20200: Introduced; Referred to Women and Children’s Committee
*** New Mexico***
Bastard Nation New Mexico Page
Summary: Amends New Mexico’s The Safe Haven for Infants Act to include legal abandonment by baby box of infants up to 90 days old. Devices must be attached to a safe haven site that is staffed 24 hours a day with medical personal.
Lead Sponsor(s): Rep. Joseph L Sanchez
Submitting Group:
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions
January 29, 2020: Introduced: referred to House Rules and Order of Business Committee (Bill not printed)
***West Virginia***
Bastard Nation West Virginia State Page
Summary: Adding entities which may take possession of a child voluntarily relinquished; includes. Expands Safe Haven law and legalization of baby boxes.
Lead Sponsor(s): Del; Zack Maynard
Submitting Group
Support
Oppose: Bastard Nation
Bill History and Actions
- February 11, 2020 : introduced; Referred to House Human and Resources.
FEDERAL BILLS
Coming soon
Updated July 28, 2020
