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 a 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 or assessment 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; provided that if court places temporary custody with the cabinet 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 or assessment 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 02-03 and $50,000 for FY 03-04; EMERGENCY.

     Jan 8-introduced in Senate; to Judiciary (S)
     Jan 9-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
     Jan 10-2nd reading, to Rules; posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, January 11, 2002
     Jan 11-3rd reading, passed 34-0
     Jan 14-received in House
     Jan 15-to Health and Welfare (H)
     Mar 18-posted in committee; posting waived
     Mar 19-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute, committee amendment (1-title)
     Mar 20-2nd reading, to Rules
     Mar 21-floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
     Mar 25-posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 26, 2002
     Mar 27-3rd reading, passed 92-0 with Committee Substitute, committee amendment (1-title), floor amendment (1); received in Senate
     Apr 1-posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute, committee amendment (1-title), floor amendment (1) for Monday, April 1, 2002; Senate concurred in House Committee Substitute, committee amendment (1-title), floor amendment (1) ; passed 35-0
     Apr 2-enrolled, signed by each presiding officer; delivered to Governor
     Apr 9-signed by Governor (Acts ch. 303)