Parents can safely surrender babies up to 30 days old, up from 72 hours
California's safe-surrender law, which lets a parent or lawful custodian hand a baby to staff at a hospital or designated site without being prosecuted for abandonment, now covers babies up to 30 days old instead of 72 hours.
Who it affects
Parents of newborns, hospitals and safe-surrender sites
When
This law takes effect on January 1, 2027. California laws take effect on January 1 of the year after they are signed, unless the law says otherwise.
- : Signed into law
- : This law takes effect
Official text
California AB 1628: Child protection: safe surrender.
On California Legislative Information. The official text is what counts; read it before you act.
Not legal advice. Plain-English summaries to help you find what changes and when. Not legal advice: read the official text, and ask a lawyer about your situation.