Infant Safe Haven Laws - Oregon

Date: September 2021

Infant's Age

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 418.017

An infant may be relinquished if the following apply:

  • The infant is 30 days of age or younger as determined to a reasonable degree of medical certainty.
  • There is no evidence that the infant has been abused.

Who May Relinquish the Infant

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 418.017

The infant may be relinquished by his or her parent.

Who May Receive the Infant

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 418.017

The infant may be left at an authorized facility in the physical custody of an agent, employee, physician, or other medical professional working at the authorized facility. An authorized facility includes a hospital, freestanding birthing center, physician's office, sheriff's office, police station, or fire station.

Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 418.017

An agent, employee, physician, or other medical professional working at an authorized facility shall receive an infant brought to the authorized facility. When an infant has been left, the authorized facility shall notify the Department of Human Services no later than 24 hours after receiving the infant.

Immunity for the Provider

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 418.017

If acting in good faith in receiving an infant, an authorized facility receiving an infant and any agent, employee, physician, or other medical professional working at the authorized facility are immune from any criminal or civil liability that otherwise might result from their actions relating to receiving the infant. A city, county, or other political subdivision of this State that operates a sheriff's office, police station, or fire station that receives an infant is immune from any criminal or civil liability that otherwise might result from the actions taken by its employees or agents in receiving the infant.

Protection for Relinquishing Parent

Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 418.017; 163.535(3)

A parent leaving an infant under this section is not required to provide any identifying information about the infant or the parent.

Relinquishment of the child to a safe haven is an affirmative defense to prosecution for abandonment.

Effect on Parental Rights

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 418.017

The infant is considered abandoned for purposes of § 419B.100, and the department is considered to have protective custody of the infant from the moment the infant was left at the facility. The department shall comply with the applicable provisions of Revised Statutes chapter 419B with regard to the infant.