The purpose of the Newborn Infant Protection Act K.S.A. 38-2282 is to protect newborn children from injury and death caused by abandonment by a parent and to provide safe and secure alternatives to such abandonment.
A parent, or person having lawful custody of an infant, may legally surrender the infant to an
employee on duty at police station, sheriff's office, law enforcement center,
fire station, city or county health department or medical care facility as
defined by K.S.A. 65-425 or a Newborn Safety Device installed at a facility if
the infant:
- is 60 days old or younger,
- has not suffered great bodily harm – as determined by a person licensed to practice medicine or surgery, an advanced practice registered nurse, or licensed physician assistant.
Information and Resources for Authorized Facilities:
Facilities that receive a surrendered infant should make available, if possible, information
to a relinquishing parent. The parent is not required to accept information. The facilities
should ask a person who surrenders a newborn infant whether they have tribal heritage.
The facilities should provide the following information:
When the infant is in the care of an employee of the authorized facility, contact local law enforcement.
Perinatal Support
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment offers the following materials for birth parents and those supporting them.
- Pregnancy and Postpartum Mental Health and Substance Use Resources
- Paternal Postpartum Depression
- Action Plan for Depression and Anxiety Around Pregnancy
- For Support Persons (friends, spouses, etc.): Talk About Depression and Anxiety During Pregnancy and After Birth
Community Mental Health Centers
With more than 4,500 team members in 26 licensed centers, Community Mental Health Centers provide services to all who need it, regardless of economic level, age or type of illness. Find a center near you:
www.acmhck.org/resources/cmhc-map/
Additional Resources Available in Kansas
Listing of key staff| 1-800-CHILDREN |
211 Information & Referral |
988 Suicide and
Crisis Lifeline |
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- Powered by Kansas Children’s Service League
- Available 24/7 to provide support without judgement.
- Find helpful resources and supports near you.
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- Sponsored by the United Way
- Free, confidential service
- Connects Kansans wide a wide range of resources and services.
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- A direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support.
- Provides 24/7 free and confidential support by trained crisis counselors.
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