ABANDONED NEWBORN PROTECTION ACT GUIDELINES

In August 2001, then Governor Ryan signed the Abandoned Newborn Protection Act into law.  The Act allows a parent to relinquish a newborn infant to a hospital, fire station or emergency medical facility.  The parent may remain anonymous and is immune from liability as long as the infant is unharmed.  Under the new law, hospitals and manned fire stations have specific responsibilities.  In 2002, the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council’s Committee on Clinical, Administrative, Professional & Emergency Services (CAPES) convened a special task force to develop guidelines and resources that will assist in complying with the new legislation.  These guidelines as well as a slide presentation were developed in 2002 to assist with staff education.

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Click on the links below to access these guidelines and resources. 

• The Illinois Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act (Public Act 92-0432); (56K)
• Guidelines for Assuring Compliance with the Illinois Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act; (28K)
• Key Points of the Illinois Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act; (26K)
• PowerPoint Slide Show (to accompany The Key Points of the Illinois Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act); (31K)
• Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange (English & Spanish); (11K)
• Illinois Adoption Registry Application; (54K)
• Illinois Adoption Registry Application (Section C); (93K)
• Birth Parent Registration Identification form; (51K)
• Information Exchange Authorization; (51K)
• Denial of Information Exchange; (51K)
• Illinois Adoption Registry Medical Questionnaire; (94K)
• Notice to Parents Leaving their Baby at a Hospital or Fire Station (written notice of procedures related to termination of parental rights) – English & Spanish; (9K)
• List of Local Health Departments; (86K)
• List of Illinois Adoption Agencies; (21K)
• Department of Children & Family Services Brochure:  “Don’t Abandon Your Baby" (82K)
• Department of Children & Family Services Brochure:  “Is Your Situation Desperate?” (302K)

For questions or to obtain further information regarding these documents, contact:

Linnea O’Neill
Assistant Director
Clinical, Administrative, Professional & Emergency Services
Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council
(312) 906-6061
loneill@mchc.com