Section 29-8302. ACTIONS TAKEN BY AUTHORIZED RECEIVING FACILITY

 

8302.1When a newborn is surrendered to an authorized receiving facility, the facility shall make reasonable efforts to obtain family and medical history from the surrendering parent.  This information shall include personal information about the newborn and the surrendering parent, the identities and addresses of both parents, and information about the date, location and circumstances of the newborn’s birth.

 

8302.2The authorized receiving facility shall make reasonable efforts to obtain an acknowledgment from the surrendering parent that the surrendering parent is a District of Columbia resident and shall advise the surrendering parent that District residence is necessary for the newborn to be eligible for surrender under the Act.

 

8302.3The surrendering parent of a newborn eligible for surrender under the Act has the right to remain anonymous and to leave the authorized receiving facility at any time.  This parent shall not be pursued by any person at the time of surrender.

 

8302.4The authorized receiving facility shall make a reasonable effort to provide information on adoption and counseling services to the surrendering parent.

 

8302.5The authorized receiving facility receiving a newborn shall notify the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) that a newborn has been surrendered within one (1) hour after the surrender.  If the authorized receiving facility is unable to contact CFSA within one (1) hour of the surrender because of circumstances beyond its control, it shall contact CFSA as soon as possible.

 

8302.6The authorized receiving facility shall complete an authorized receiving facility report relating to the surrender as accurately and completely as possible.  At a minimum, the authorized receiving facility report shall be signed and dated and provide the following information:

 

(a) The name of the employee receiving the surrendered newborn;

 

(b)The name of the authorized receiving facility;

 

(c)The date of the surrender;

 

(d)The time of the surrender;

 

(e)Family and medical information obtained, if any;

 

(f)Whether the surrendering parent acknowledged that he or she is a resident of the District of Columbia;

 

(g)The circumstances of the surrender;

 

(h)The reason why a physician or the person receiving the newborn reasonably believes that the newborn is fourteen (14) days old or younger;

 

(i)Whether the parent was provided with information on adoption and counseling; and

 

(j)The reason, if any, as to why information on adoption and counseling was not provided to the parent.

8302.7If a newborn appears to have been abused or neglected or if the newborn is not eligible for surrender under the Act, the authorized receiving facility shall follow normal procedures for reporting abuse or neglect.

 

8302.8If a parent returns to the authorized receiving facility requesting return of the newborn, personnel shall advise the parent to contact CFSA’s Post Permanency Unit. 

 

authority

The Interim Director of the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), pursuant to section 108 of the Newborn Safe Haven Amendment Act of 2010 (Act), effective May 27, 2010 (D.C. Law 18-158; D.C. Official Code § 4-1451.01, et seq. (2011 Supp.)).

source

Notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking published at 56 DCR 8599 (October 30, 2009)[EXPIRED]; as amended by Notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking published at 57 DCR 5967 (July 9, 2010)[EXPIRED]; as amended by Notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking published at 57 DCR 11742 (December 10, 2010)[EXPIRED]; as amended by Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 58 DCR 8052, 8053 (September 16, 2011).