VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

In Virginia, the Safe Haven laws provides hospital and emergency medical services personnel criminal and civil immunity for injury or other damages to the infant unless such injury or other damage to the infant was the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct by such personnel.

Best Practices for Safe Haven Providers

• Hospital

  1. Facilitate conversation around private adoption and make a referral to a private adoption agency if necessary and/or contact the National Safe Haven Alliance (NSHA) at 1-888-510-BABY (2229) to assist with referrals to private adoption agencies.
  2. If private adoption is not desired, accept physical custody of the infant under the Safe Haven laws.
  3. Request the surrendering parent to provide medical information and any other important information about the infant. Note: If the parent declines this request, a safe haven provider cannot compel the parent to provide this information.
  4. Contact the local department of social services to inform them that an infant has been surrendered.
  5. Provide medical care that the infant may require.
  6. If the surrendering parent contacts you regarding reclaiming custody of the infant, please direct the parent to contact the local department of social services to initiate this process and discuss options.

  If surrendering at time of delivery, anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

• Attended EMS Agency

  1. Accept physical custody of the infant under the Safe Haven laws.
  2. Request the surrendering parent to provide medical information and any other important information about the infant. Note: If the parent declines this request, a safe haven provider cannot compel the parent to provide this information.
  3. Provide any immediate medical care the infant may require.
  4. Arrange to have the infant transported to the nearest hospital.
  5. Notify hospital staff that the infant has been surrendered under the Safe Haven laws. Hospital staff will then contact the local department of social services to inform them.
  6. If the surrendering parent contacts you regarding reclaiming custody of the infant, please direct the parent to contact the local department of social services to initiate this process and discuss options.