The proposed bill, Minnesota Senate File No. 2282, seeks to modify the Safe Place for Newborns provisions in Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 145.902. Key changes and provisions include:

1. Definition of a Safe Place:

   • Hospitals licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.56.
   • Fire stations staffed 24/7 (except in emergencies where staff are dispatched).
   • Health care providers offering urgent medical care.
   • Newborn safety devices installed at a designated safe place.
   • Licensed ambulance services that respond to a 911 call from a mother or a person acting with the mother's permission to relinquish a newborn.

2. Conditions for Acceptance of a Newborn:

   • The newborn must be no more than seven days old, as determined by medical certainty.
   • The newborn must be in an unharmed condition.
   • If left in a newborn safety device, the device must:
     • Allow anonymous placement of the newborn.
     • Enable emergency personnel to retrieve the newborn.
     • Have a dual alarm system that is tested monthly and checked twice daily.
     • Be FDA-approved and installed in a staffed fire station or hospital.
     • Be located in an easily visible and accessible area.

3. Protections for the Relinquishing Individual and Safe Place Personnel:

   • A safe place must not ask for the identity of the person leaving the newborn and must not notify the police, provided the newborn is unharmed.
   • The safe place may request medical history but is not required to obtain it.
   • Information about social services must be available for the relinquishing individual.
   • If a newborn is left at a health care provider or with an ambulance service, appropriate steps must be taken to transport the newborn to a hospital.

4. Legal Immunities:

   • Safe places, employees, doctors, ambulance personnel, and other medical professionals acting in good faith are immune from criminal and civil liability related to receiving a newborn.
   • Mandated reporters (e.g. health professionals) at a safe place are immune from liability for failing to make a report if they act in compliance with this law.
   • No person can be prosecuted for a crime based solely on relinquishing a newborn in accordance with this statute.

This bill expands the Safe Haven laws in Minnesota by including newborn safety devices and providing additional legal protections to ensure the safe and anonymous surrender of newborns.