North Dakota

We are dedicated to saving the lives of precious newborns, WHATEVER IT TAKES, as every life is precious.

We assist the pregnant woman or mother in a compassionate way to receive the help and support she needs.

REMEMBER, It is the Law-the baby MUST be given to a staff member at a Safe Haven facility. Tell them you are leaving the baby with “Safe Haven”.

ANONYMITY -We respect and protect the callers right to anonymity at all times.

MEDICAL HISTORY- Asking for and the mother providing medical history information is optional.

North Dakota Century Codes 27-20-02; 50-25.1-15

Infant’s Age

Citation: Cent. Code §§ 27-20-02; 50-25.1-15

An abandoned infant may be left at a hospital in an unharmed condition. The term ‘abandoned infant’ means a child who has been abandoned before reaching the age of 1 year.

Who May Relinquish the Infant

Citation: Cent. Code § 50-25.1-15

A parent of an infant may leave the infant at any hospital. An agent of the parent may leave an abandoned infant at a hospital with the parent’s consent.

Who May Receive the Infant

Citation: Cent. Code § 50-25.1-15

The child may be left at any hospital.

Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider

Citation: Cent. Code § 50-25.1-15

A hospital shall accept an infant abandoned or left under this section. The hospital may request information regarding the parents and shall provide the parent or the agent with a medical history form and an envelope with the hospital’s return address. Neither the parent nor the agent is required to provide any information.

The hospital shall provide the parent or the agent with a numbered identification bracelet to link the parent or the agent to the abandoned infant. Possession of an identification bracelet does not entitle the bracelet holder to take custody of the abandoned infant on demand.

The hospital may provide the parent or the agent with any relevant information, including:

•        Information about the safe place for abandoned infant programs

•       Information about adoption and counseling services

•        Information about whom to contact if reunification is sought

Within 24 hours of receiving an abandoned infant, the hospital shall report to the Department of Human Services that an abandoned infant has been left at the hospital. The report may not be made before the parent or the agent leaves the hospital.

Immunity for the Provider

Citation: Cent. Code § 50-25.1-15

The hospital and its employees and agents are immune from any criminal or civil liability for accepting an abandoned infant under this section.

Protection for Relinquishing Parent

Citation: Cent. Code § 50-25.1-15

Neither the parent nor the parent’s agent is subject to prosecution for abuse, neglect, or abandonment for leaving the infant at a hospital.

Neither the parent nor the parent’s agent is required to provide any information. An individual who contacts the department about the child is under no obligation to respond to a request for information, and the department may not attempt to a compel response or to investigate the identity or background of the individual.

Effect on Parental Rights

Citation: Cent. Code § 50-25.1-15

Upon receiving a report of an abandoned infant left at a hospital, the department shall proceed as required under this chapter if it appears that the abandoned infant was not harmed, except the department may not attempt to identify or contact the parent or the agent. If it appears the abandoned infant was harmed, the department shall initiate an assessment of the matter as required by law.

If an individual possesses a bracelet linking the individual to an abandoned infant and parental rights have not been terminated, possession of the bracelet creates a presumption that the individual has standing to participate in a protection services action. Possession of the bracelet does not create a presumption of maternity, paternity, or custody.

If an individual claiming to be the parent or the agent contacts the department and requests to be reunited with the abandoned infant, the department may identify or contact the individual. If an individual contacts the department seeking information only, the department may attempt to obtain information regarding the identity and medical history of the parents and may provide information regarding the procedures in an abandoned infant case.