Safe Place for Newborns Act – Georgia’s “Safe Haven” Law

O.C.G.A. §§ 19-10A-1 through 19-10A-8

As required by Georgia law, only state employees who currently work for the Georgia Department of Human Services, which includes the Division of Family & Children Services, are allowed to take custody of a “Safe Haven” baby left at a medical facility, fire station, or police station. 

No staff or volunteers from another federal or state agency, non-profit entity, for-profit company, or person are allowed to pick up a “Safe Haven” baby from a medical facility, fire station, or police station.

Under the Safe Place for Newborns Act, Georgia law gives criminal immunity to a mother who leaves her baby with a staff member or volunteer of a medical facility, fire station, or police station if the child is no more than thirty days old. The mother is not required to show proof of her identity or address. The Safe Place for Newborns Act is often called Georgia’s “Safe Haven Law.”

https://dhs.georgia.gov/organization/about/georgias-safe-place-newborns-act