Hospital Questions

Attention Hospital Personnel:

Printable Hospital Poster

In 2001, the Utah Legislature passed a law allowing mothers or their designees to leave a newborn baby at any general acute care hospital in Utah without question or legal/criminal liability. The law requires the hospital to accept the newborn, provide any needed medical care and notify the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (“DCFS”) within twenty four hours of receiving the child so that DCFS can take legal custody of the child. The hospital must also prepare a birth certificate or a foundling birth certificate if the parentage is unknown. Medical costs will be paid by Medicaid. Under the law the hospital must give the baby directly to DCFS for legal custody. The hospital, physician or hospital personnel do not have the legal right to take custody of the baby or give the baby to anyone but DCFS.

DCFS can be contacted at 1-801-538-4100. Please make hospital personnel aware of this law and post the following information where it is readily accessible to appropriate personnel.

SAFE HAVEN LAW FOR NEWBORN BABIES

If a mother or the mother’s designee comes to the hospital and wants to give up a newborn baby, hospital personnel should take the following steps:

1. Take the baby, thank the mother or designee and confirm that they have the right to remain anonymous under the law (do not call police or security).
2. Do not ask the mother any questions. The mother's identity is to remain completely anonymous. You may accept any information that the mother willingly provides or brings to the hospital.
3. Have appropriate personnel give the baby a medical exam and provide any needed medical care. Document any possible abuse or neglect.
4. Call the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (“DCFS”) at 801-538-4100 within twenty four hours of receiving the baby as they will have legal custody. Do not give the baby to anyone else but DCFS. Only DCFS can assume legal custody under the law for the baby.
5. Prepare a birth certificate or foundling certificate to give to DCFS when they arrive to take legal custody of the baby.
6. Bill Medicaid for any medical services provided to the baby.