THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2352
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE SAFE HAVEN LAW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii has had a "safe haven law" since 2007. The law was intended to prevent newborn babies from being abandoned by allowing newborns to be left at a safe place, such as a hospital, fire station, or police station, or with emergency services personnel. Under the concept of "safe-surrender", the law focuses on the health and safety of the newborn rather than liability of the parent for abandonment. The legislature further finds that since the safe haven law's passage, it remains widely unknown and there is a very limited amount of public information to educate the public on the law.

The purpose of this Act is to require and appropriate funds for the department of health to engage in a public awareness campaign on the safe haven law in the State.

SECTION 2. The department of health shall engage in a public awareness campaign on the safe haven law in the State.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the department of health to engage in a public awareness campaign on the safe haven law in the State.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

Report Title:

Keiki Caucus; Safe Haven Law; Department of Health; Appropriation

Description:

Requires and appropriates funds for the department of health to engage in a public awareness campaign on the safe haven law in the State. (SD1)

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