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Safe Surrender: When a Parent Can't Care for a Newborn

A Safe Place for Newborns Law

Oregon has a law that allows a birth parent (mother or father) to leave a newborn infant at an authorized facility. 

  • This could be a hospital, doctor's office, birthing clinic, police station, sheriff's office or fire department.
  • There are no legal consequences as long as the baby is less than one month old, shows no signs of abuse, and is handed to someone working at the facility.

For Parents

This is a big decision. If you need support, want to talk to someone, or need information on adoption, counseling or other support, call 211 or visit the 211.info website.

Read the Law

Oregon Revised Statutes 418.017 - 418.018