Arizona parents can surrender newborns where they give birth

A parent who gives birth at a general or rural hospital may surrender the newborn to hospital staff there. This applies when a parent gives birth at a general hospital or rural general hospital. The parent must tell a medical staff member that they are surrendering the infant and do not intend to return. The parent may surrender the infant immediately after the birth.

Safe haven providers must arrange a hospital exam and contact the Department of Child Safety as the law specifies for each provider. The protocol covers infants left with licensed child welfare or adoption agencies, churches, on-duty firefighters or emergency medical technicians, and staff at general or rural hospitals. The protocol applies only to an unharmed infant who is 30 days old or younger and is not alleged to have been abused or neglected. If an infant is older or has been harmed, the hospital must contact the department, which must take custody. An agency that agrees to take custody must do so within 24 hours after the exam. If no agency takes custody within 48 hours after the exam, the department must take custody.