Vermont § 1303 - Abandonment or exposure of baby

§ 1303. Abandonment or exposure of baby

• (a) A person who abandons or exposes a child under the age of two years whereby the life
  or health of such child is endangered shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or
  fined not more than $10,000.00, or both. (b)(1) It is not a violation of this section if a person voluntarily delivers a child not
  more than 30 days of age to: (A) An employee, staff member, or volunteer at a health care facility. (B) An employee, staff member, or volunteer at a fire station, police station, place of
  worship, or an entity that is licensed or authorized in this State to place minors
  for adoption. (C) A 911 emergency responder at a location where the responder and the person have agreed
  to transfer the child. (2) A person voluntarily delivering a child under this subsection shall not be required
  to reveal any personally identifiable information, but may be offered the opportunity
  to provide information concerning the child’s or family’s medical history. (3) A person or facility to whom a child is delivered pursuant to this subsection shall
  not be required to reveal the name of the person who delivered the child unless there
  is a reasonable suspicion that the child has been abused and shall be immune from
  civil or criminal liability for any action taken pursuant to this subsection. (4) A person or facility to whom a child is delivered pursuant to this subsection shall: (A) Take temporary custody of the child and ensure that he or she receives any necessary
  medical care. (B) Provide notice that he, she, or it has taken temporary custody of the child to a local
  law enforcement agency or the Vermont State Police. (C) Provide notice that he, she, or it has taken temporary custody of the child to the
  Department for Children and Families, which shall take custody of the child as soon
  as practicable. (5) The Department for Children and Families shall develop and implement a public information
  program to increase public awareness about the provisions of the Baby Safe Haven Law,
  and shall report on the elements and status of the program by January 15, 2006, to
  the chairs of the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and the House Committee on
  Human Services. (6) Except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, this subsection shall not
  be construed to limit or otherwise affect procedures under 33 V.S.A. chapter 53 regarding
  termination of parental rights and regarding children in need of care or supervision. (Amended 1971, No. 199 (Adj. Sess.), § 15; 2005, No. 124 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2007, No. 102 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)