If you have a newborn that you're unable to care for, you can bring your baby to a designated safe place with no questions asked. The safe haven laws—also known as Baby Moses laws—give parents who are unable to care for their child a safe and legal choice to leave their infant with an employee at a designated safe place—a hospital, fire station, free-standing emergency center, or emergency medical services (EMS) station. When left at such a designated safe place, your baby will receive medical care and be placed with an emergency provider.
In Washington State, the Safety of Newborn Children Law, also known as the Safe Haven Law, allows parents to safely and legally relinquish a newborn within 72 hours of birth at any hospital, federally designated rural health clinic, or fire station staffed with full-time personnel. The law is intended to prevent unsafe abandonment of infants by providing an anonymous and safe alternative. Parents are not required to provide their names or any other information when surrendering the baby. The relinquished infant will receive necessary medical care and will be placed with a child placement agency or suitable caregiver. It's important for parents to ensure that they are handing the baby over to an actual employee or personnel and not just leaving the child unattended at these locations.