What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Expands the "abandoned infant protection act" from five days to thirty
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Joan Christensen
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to the infant protection program
Purpose
To expand the term of the infant protection program from 5 days to 30 days.
Summary of provisions
The following changes are made to Section 260.03 of the penal law: Section 260.03 Abandonment of a child; defense is amended to extend the age of the child from not more than five days to not more than 30 days old. The same change is made to Section 260.15, endangering the welfare of a child, defense.
Justification
: The Infant Protection Act was enacted in 2000 as a way to protect infants abandoned by their birth mothers. The law allows for an affirmative defense in cases where a person abandons an infant in such a way that the intent is that the child be safe from physical injury and cared for in an appropriate manner, that the child is left with an appropriate person or in a suitable location and that the defendant promptly notifies an appropriate person of the child's location.
The purpose of this law is to provide a safe haven for infants in abandonment situations. The provisions of the Infant Protection Act are currently in effect for the first five days of the baby's life. Unfortunately, there have been incidences where older infants have been abandoned in unsafe places. Fourteen other states have recognized the value of safe havens for a longer period of time. This bill would extend the provision of the Infant Protection Act from five days to thirty days.
Legislative history
: 2008: S.4570
Fiscal implications
: None to the State.
Effective date
: This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.