(Kodiak) - Representative Gabrielle LeDoux (R - Kodiak) pre-filed legislation that protects a mother's right to safely surrender her newborn child without the threat of prosecution, re-filing a bill that passed the House but stalled in the Senate during the previous legislative session.

House Bill 29, proposed as the Safe Surrender of Infants Act, allows a parent to surrender an infant less than 21 days old, as long as there is no evidence the infant has been physically injured, to one of the following without the risk of prosecution:

• a person who the parent reasonably believes is a peace officer
• a physician or hospital employee in a hospital or hospital emergency room
• a volunteer with or employee of a fire station or emergency medical service who is acting within their scope of duties

''If a woman had this option, and knew she could leave a baby someplace safe, she may choose to carry the baby through to full-term instead of thinking about an abortion or leaving the infant in a dumpster,'' LeDoux said. ''I am pro-choice-other legislators are pro-life-but this is a bill that we can both agree on. Mothers need the option to surrender their newborn infant, no questions asked, without the fear of prosecution.''

In addition to prohibiting prosecution, HB 29 provides measures so the employee or agency that receives a child can properly determine the needs of the child and parent, whether that means placing the child for adoption or providing counseling to the parent.

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