An ID bracelet will be placed on the baby’s ankle and a matching bracelet offered to the surrendering person. The bracelets help connect the parent to the baby if the parent wants the baby back. No information is required at the time of surrender but the person surrendering the baby will be given a medical information questionnaire to complete. Completion of the questionnaire

is voluntary, although the information regarding family medical history can assist in properly caring for the baby. After receiving a confidentially-coded ankle bracelet, the baby is examined and given medical treatment, if needed. The baby is then placed in a foster or pre-adoptive home.

What happens to the parent? Once the parent or surrendering person has safely turned over the baby, they are free to go, without any questions asked. If a parent wants the baby back under the law, a parent or surrendering person has at least 14 days to reclaim the baby. This law has been effective statewide and here in Amador County we have now had the first parent that has opted to utilize the law. That baby has been placed in a foster home that is considered a pre-adoptive home, in other words, the family would like to adopt the baby. The baby was released to Sutter Amador Hospital and placed by county agencies.