AN ACT relating to abandoned infants, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.
     Amend KRS 311.6526 to require the Emergency Medical Services Program for Children to collaborate with the Cabinet for Families and Children and require guidelines for responding to abandoned infants, including preserving the confidentiality of the parent, and define "newborn infant" as an infant less than seventy-two (72) hours old; create a new section of KRS Chapter 211 to specify that emergency medical services provider has implied consent for treatment, to require that the identity of the person placing the newborn be kept confidential, and to state that provisions do not apply when indicators of child abuse or neglect are present; create new section of KRS 216B.400 to require emergency rooms to accept newborns anonymously and perform all necessary medical care, provide immunity for acts of medical care but not acts of negligence, and provide implied consent for treatment; require notification to Cabinet for Families and Children; make voluntary information available to person leaving the infant; and state that provisions to not apply when indicators of child abuse or neglect are present; create a new section of KRS Chapter 405 to permit parent to anonymously place newborn with a hospital, or emergency medical services, police, or firefighters, who are required to arrange for the infant to go to a hospital and provide that by doing so the parent waives legal standing and right to notification of court proceedings under KRS Chapter 620; create a new section of KRS Chapter 620 to require cabinet to seek emergency custody of abandoned infant, prohibit child abuse or neglect investigation when infant is placed in manner described, and specify that provisions do not apply when indicators of child abuse and neglect are present; require placement in a home willing to adopt the infant, if court places temporary custody with the cabinet, require that the order remains in effect for at least thirty (30) days; require law enforcement investigation through Missing Child Information Center; permit cabinet to pursue termination of parental rights; specify procedures when a parent makes a claim to the infant and include cabinet investigation and home evaluation; allow court to require genetic testing at the expense of the parent; create a new section of KRS Chapter 620 to require the cabinet to provide information and medical history forms and produce a media campaign; appropriate $100,000 for FY 2002-03 and $50,000 for FY 2003-04; EMERGENCY.

     (Prefiled by the sponsor(s))

     Jan 8-introduced in Senate
     Jan 11-to Judiciary (S)