2022 Regular SessionVirginia Legislature

HB16: Safe haven protections; newborn safety device at hospitals for reception of children.

Legislative Summary

Safe haven protections; newborn safety device. Provides an affirmative defense in certain criminal prosecutions and civil proceedings regarding child abuse or neglect to a parent who safely delivers his child within the first 30 days of the child's life to a newborn safety device located at a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services or at an attended emergency medical services agency that employs emergency medical services personnel. The bill also provides civil and criminal immunity to such hospitals and emergency medical services agencies for injuries to children received through such newborn safety devices, provided that (i) the injuries are not the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct and (ii) the hospital or emergency medical services agency meets certain requirements regarding the establishment, functioning, and testing of the device. Current law requires the child to be delivered within the first 14 days of the child's life at such hospital or emergency medical services agency.

Demographic Impact

Overall analysis of equity impact

90% Positive
High ConfidenceView detailed demographic breakdown ↓

Unlock Full Demographic Insights

Go beyond the overall score.

Gain a deeper understanding of this bill's potential impact across diverse communities, including detailed breakdowns by category and subgroup. Access to this granular analysis helps ensure equitable outcomes.

Enable full analysis features for your organization.

Contact Sales to Learn More

Or email us directly at sales@legiequity.us.

Bill History

12/23/2021
Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/12/22 22101060D
House of Delegates
12/23/2021
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
House of Delegates
1/28/2022
Referred from Courts of Justice by voice vote
House of Delegates
1/28/2022
Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions
House of Delegates
2/3/2022
Reported from Health, Welfare and Institutions (21-Y 0-N)
House of Delegates
2/7/2022
Read first time
House of Delegates
2/8/2022
Read second time and engrossed
House of Delegates
2/9/2022
Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N)
House of Delegates
2/9/2022
VOTE: Block Vote Passage (99-Y 0-N)
House of Delegates
2/10/2022
Constitutional reading dispensed
Senate
2/10/2022
Referred to Committee on the Judiciary
Senate
2/16/2022
Reported from Judiciary with substitute (12-Y 0-N)
Senate
2/16/2022
Committee substitute printed 22106679D-S1
Senate
2/18/2022
Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)
Senate
2/21/2022
Read third time
Senate
2/21/2022
Reading of substitute waived
Senate
2/21/2022
Committee substitute agreed to 22106679D-S1
Senate
2/21/2022
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute HB16S1
Senate
2/21/2022
Passed Senate with substitute (40-Y 0-N)
Senate
2/23/2022
Senate substitute agreed to by House 22106679D-S1 (91-Y 9-N)
House of Delegates
2/23/2022
VOTE: Adoption (91-Y 9-N)
House of Delegates
2/25/2022
Enrolled
House of Delegates
2/25/2022
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB16ER)
House of Delegates
2/25/2022
Signed by Speaker
House of Delegates
2/25/2022
Signed by President
Senate
3/11/2022
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2022
House of Delegates
3/11/2022
Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
4/5/2022
Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 81 (effective 7/1/22)
4/5/2022
Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0081)

Roll Call Votes

House: VOTE: Adoption (91-Y 9-N)
2/23/2022
91
Yea
9
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: PASSED
Senate: Passed Senate with substitute (40-Y 0-N)
2/21/2022
40
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: PASSED
Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)
2/18/2022
38
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
2
Absent
Result: PASSED
Senate: Reported from Judiciary with substitute (12-Y 0-N)
2/16/2022
12
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: PASSED
House: VOTE: Block Vote Passage (99-Y 0-N)
2/9/2022
99
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
1
Absent
Result: PASSED
House: Reported from Health, Welfare and Institutions (21-Y 0-N)
2/3/2022
21
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
1
Absent
Result: PASSED

Status Information

Current Status
Passed(4/5/2022)
Chamber
House of Delegates
Sine DiePrior Session

Documents

Chaptered
Bill Text4/5/202264.3 KB
Enrolled
Bill Text2/25/202264.3 KB
Comm Sub
Bill Text2/16/202264.4 KB
Prefiled
Bill Text12/23/202161.8 KB