(a) General rule.--A health care provider at a hospital shall do all of the following relating to a newborn accepted under this chapter:
(1) Take the newborn into protective custody as provided in section 6315(a)(3) (relating to taking child into protective custody) or 6504.1(a)(2) (relating to police officers accepting newborns).
(2) Perform a medical evaluation as well as perform any act necessary to care for and protect the physical health and safety of the newborn.
(3) Notify the county agency and the local municipal police department or the Pennsylvania State Police where no municipal police jurisdiction exists as provided in section 6505 (relating to reporting acceptance of newborns).
(b) Accepting newborns.--When a health care provider accepts a newborn pursuant to this chapter, a parent, police officer or emergency services provider may provide a health care provider with information about the newborn's medical history and any identifying information.
(July 2, 2014, P.L.843, No.91, eff. 60 days; Dec. 22, 2017, P.L.1219, No.68, eff. 60 days)
2017 Amendment. Act 68 amended subsec. (b).
2014 Amendment. Act 91 amended the section heading and subsecs. (a)(1) and (b).
Cross References. Section 6504 is referred to in sections 6502, 6504.1, 6504.2 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 65 - Newborn Protection
Section 6501 - Short title of chapter
Section 6504 - Health care providers accepting newborns
Section 6504.1 - Police officers accepting newborns
Section 6504.2 - Emergency services providers accepting newborns
Section 6504.3 - Incubators for newborns
Section 6505 - Reporting acceptance of newborns
Section 6506 - Failure to report acceptance of newborns