Safe Place for Newborns

Georgia:

You can leave your baby,

up to 7 days old,

with a hospital employee

at any hospital emergency room,

or with any law enforcement agency

in Georgia -

no questions asked.

1. If I want to leave my baby with Safe Place for Newborns, where can I go?

2. Do I have to take my baby to the closest hospital?

3. How long can I wait before I take my baby to the hospital?

4. Do I have to take my baby to the hospital, or can someone else?

5. Should I tell the people at the hospital anything?

6. What happens to my baby after I leave the hospital?

7. Where are the hospitals in Georgia?

8. Tell me about about the Crisis Hotline?

9. How can I learn more about Safe Place for Newborns, or how I can help?

10. Georgia Law

If I want to leave my baby with Safe Place for Newborns,

          where can I go?

You may go to any hospital in the state of Georgia and leave your baby with a hospital  employee.  (Hospital employees usually wear name badges, either clipped to a pocket, or hanging from their neck.)  Tell the hospital person that you want to leave your baby with Safe Place for Newborns.

It is important to understand that the new law requires that if you wish to use the program, you must leave your baby with a person, (see law) and not, for example, in a bathroom at a hospital.  Newborn children need lots of tender care. 

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Do I have to take my baby to the closest hospital?

No, you can take your baby to any hospital in Georgia.

If you aren’t sure where the hospitals are in Georgia, scroll down this page and click on the link that says, "Click Here to Find a Hospital in Georgia."  This link will bring you to a list of hospitals, organized by city.  Click on the city that you wish to go to to see a list of hospitals in that city.  The list includes the address and telephone number of each hospital.

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How long can I wait before I take my baby to the hospital?

Your baby can be up to 7 days old.

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Do I have to take my baby to the hospital, or can I ask someone else?

The new law says that a mother can bring a baby to the Safe Place for Newborns program.  

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Should I tell the people at the hospital anything?

The people at the hospital will probably ask you a few questions.  The hospital may ask you for some proof that you are the baby's mother.  The new law (see law) in Georgia requires mothers to leave their name and address.  Each hospital will do things a little differently, but most will offer you the opportunity to provide some health information.  This background, called a "medical history," will be incredibly valuable for your baby as he or she grows up.  If you like, you could download a Medical History questionnaire from this website and fill it out before you take your baby in. This information will be put in your baby’s records, and may help answer health questions in the future.

When you're scared, it can be hard to believe that there are people out there who care and want to help, but you know what?  There are people out there who care and want to help you. 

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What happens to my baby after I leave the hospital?

The hospital will take care of any medical needs your baby may have.  They will then contact Children and Family Services who will take care of your child. 

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Where are the hospitals in Georgia?

This link will bring you to a list of Georgia cities that have hospitals, with links to the address and telephone number of the hospital(s).  Use your web browser "back" button to return to this site.

Hospitals in Georgia

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Tell me about the Crisis Line?

The Safe Place for Newborns Telephone is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  If you would like to speak to someone about using the Safe Place for Newborns program, call:

Call Toll Free 1-877-440-2229

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please see the contact information listed below.

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Who can I contact to learn more information about Safe Place for Newborns, or to find out how I can help?

You can contact:

Laure Krupp,

Executive Director, Safe Place for Newborns

120 South Sixth Street

Suite 1150

Minneapolis, MN  55402

(612) 317-2895

(612) 317-2899 fax

Email:  lkrupp@safeplacefornewborns.com

Web Page: http://www.safeplacefornewborns.org

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How is Safe Place for Newborns funded?

Safe Place for Newborns is a Minnesota not-for-profit organization. It is privately funded by individuals and corporate donations, and grants.  Tax deductible contributions to support this life-saving work can be sent to:
 

Safe Place for Newborns
120 South Sixth Street

Suite 1150

Minneapolis, MN  55402

(612) 317-2895

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Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to domestic relations, is amended by adding a new chapter to be designated Chapter 10A to read as follows:

CHAPTER 10A

19-10A-1.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the 'Safe Place for Newborns Act of 2002.'

19-10A-2.
As used in this chapter, the term 'medical facility' shall mean any licensed general or specialized hospital, institutional infirmary, health center operated by a county board of health, or facility where human births occur on a regular and ongoing basis which is classified by the Department of Human Resources as a birthing center, but shall not mean physicians´ or dentists´ private offices.

19-10A-3.
It is the express purpose and intent of the General Assembly in enacting this chapter to prevent injuries to and deaths of newborn children that are caused by a mother who abandons the newborn.

19-10A-4.
A mother shall not be prosecuted for the crimes of cruelty to a child, Code Section 16-5-70; contributing to the delinquency, unruliness, or deprivation of a child, Code Section 16-12-1; or abandonment of a dependent child, Code Section 19-10-1, because of the act of leaving her newborn child in the physical custody of an employee, agent, or member of the staff of a medical facility who is on duty, whether there in a paid or volunteer position; provided that the newborn child is no more than one week old and the mother shows proof of her identity, if available, to the person with whom the newborn is left and provides her name and address.

19-10A-5.
The Department of Human Resources shall investigate and report to the General Assembly as to children left with a medical facility pursuant to Code Section 19-10A-4, including in such report the desirability and cost effectiveness of a dedicated toll-free telephone line for providing information to and answering questions from the public and employees and staff members of medical facilities concerning the acts and consequences thereof contemplated in Code Section 19-10A-4.

19-10A-6.
A medical facility which accepts for inpatient admission a child left pursuant to Code Section 19-10A-4 shall be reimbursed by the Department of Human Resources for all reasonable medical and other reasonable costs associated with the child prior to the child being placed in the care of the department. A medical facility shall notify the Department of Human Resources at such time as the child is left and at the time the child is medically ready for discharge. Upon notification that the child is medically ready for discharge, the Department of Human Resources shall take physical custody of the child within six hours. The Department of Human Resources upon taking physical custody shall promptly bring the child before the juvenile court as required by Code Section 15-11-47.

19-10A-7.
Medical facilities and their employees, agents, and staff members shall not be liable for civil damages or subject to criminal prosecution for failure to discharge the duties provided for in this chapter. The immunity provided in this chapter shall in no way be construed as providing immunity for any acts of negligent treatment of the child taken into custody."

This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.

**Disclaimer:

This representation of Georgia legislation should NOT be considered an OFFICIAL representation.  

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