SB3271 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 15406 KTG 42854 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB3271

Introduced 2/19/2016, by Sen. Wm. Sam McCann

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

325 ILCS 2/66 new

Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to conduct a review of the impact and effectiveness of the policy objectives established under the Act for the years 2001 through 2016 and to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by July 1, 2017. Provides that the report shall contain certain information, including: (i) the number of newborn infants abandoned during the review period; (ii) the number of newborn infants relinquished in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Act during the review period; (iii) a determination of whether a need exists to expand the list of facilities and personnel who are authorized to accept a relinquished newborn infant; and (iv) an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of implementing and installing newborn safety incubators. Effective July 1, 2016.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning children.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act is amended by adding Section 66 as follows:

(325 ILCS 2/66 new)

Sec. 66. Review. The Department shall conduct a review of the impact and effectiveness of the policy objectives established under this Act and shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by July 1, 2017. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) The number of newborn infants abandoned during the period commencing on August 17, 2001 (the effective date of Public Act 92-408) and ending on August 18, 2016, and the locations where those abandonments took place.

(2) The number of newborn infants relinquished in accordance with the procedures outlined in this Act during the period commencing on August 17, 2001 (the effective date of Public Act 92-408) and ending on August 18, 2016, and the locations where those relinquishments took place.

(3) Specific suggestions for actions the Department must take to ensure that newborn infants are relinquished in accordance with the procedures outlined in this Act rather than abandoned.

(4) A review of the public information program established under Section 60 to determine the effectiveness of public information efforts that have taken place so far and suggestions for improving the public information program to make it more effective.

(5) A determination of whether a need exists to provide assistance to relinquishing mothers who have a medical need while preserving the mother's right to remain anonymous, if she so desires, as provided under Section 30 of this Act.

(6) A determination of whether a need exists to expand the list of facilities and personnel who are authorized to accept a relinquished newborn infant in accordance with this Act.

(7) An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of implementing and installing newborn safety incubators. This analysis shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(i) An evaluation of any safety issues associated with the use of newborn safety incubators.

(ii) The cost of purchasing and installing newborn safety incubators, including the potential cost of retrofitting existing buildings to accommodate a newborn safety incubator.

(iii) The identification of appropriate locations for newborn safety incubators.

(iv) The identification of potential funding sources for the purchase and installation of newborn safety incubators.

As used in this Section, "newborn safety incubator" means a device that is designed to permit: (i) a person to anonymously place a newborn infant in the device with the intent to leave the infant; and (ii) another person to remove the newborn infant from the device and take custody of the infant.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2016.