Save Abandoned Babies

 

Legislation Update

House Bill 5459 - Updates Information Packet Given to a Relinquishing Parent Under Illinois' Safe Haven Law

Overview

Bill Status of HB5459 (Illinois General Assembly)

 

Breaking News! (July 20, 2010) Governer Quinn has signed HB5459 into law! Press Release

House Bill 5459 (Rep. Coulson / Senator Trotter)

 

On April 27, 2010, House Bill 5459 passed the Senate unanimously with a vote of 56 to 00! On March 12, it passed the House unanimously with a vote of 110-000! And on July 20, 2010, Governor Pat Quinn signed the bill into law!

 

The Save Abandoned Babies Foundation wants to especially thank both Senator Donne Trotter and Representative Elizabeth Coulson who have been the leading champions of Safe Haven legislation since the original Newborn Infant Protection Act was signed into law in 2001. It has been their leadership, hard work and guidance that has made a difference.

 

Presently a parent is given a large packet of information and lengthy forms that are very confusing and complicated to fill out. No parent who has legally relinquished a child has ever provided any identifying information, any health history about the infant or biological parents, or registered with the Adoption Registry. Unless a parent provides this information at the time of relinquishment, it is impossible to match up later. As a result the newborn infant and adoptive family end up with no information.

 

This amendment to the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection resolves this by offering the relinquishing parent three simple items in place of the previous 14 confusing pages:

 

1. A one-page brochure provided by DCFS.

This brochure has information about the Safe Haven Law and a tear-off mailer requesting medical information that the parent can return.

2. A one-page brochure provided by IL Vital Records.

This brochure explains the IL Adoption Registry, how to register, and includes a toll-free number and website.

3. One page of Health Information.

This fact sheet has vital information on post-partum health issues for a mother who has just given birth.

 

This information will be easy to obtain off the Internet for both safe haven sites and parents.

 

Who Supported HB 5459?

 

• Department of Children and Family Services
• Save Abandoned Babies Foundation
• March of Dimes
• Illinois Maternal & Child Health Coalition
• Family Resource Center
• Prevent Child Abuse Illinois
• Office of the Attorney General
• Chicago Fire Fighters Union

 

Thank you for your help in making this bill a reality!