SB 1253 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

safe haven providers; hospital deliveries

SB 1253 establishes clear protocols for safely surrendering newborn infants in Arizona. It requires safe haven providers (like hospitals, churches, or fire stations) to immediately transport infants to a hospital for a physical exam and notify child safety authorities. Agencies must take custody within 24 hours after the exam, or the state department takes custody after 48 hours if no agency agrees. The bill also ensures hospitals are reimbursed for medical care and protects healthcare providers making emergency medical decisions. This directly affects parents surrendering infants, hospitals, child welfare agencies, and the state child safety department.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Jun 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Signed Jun 19, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Engrossed Version (02/26/2026) → Chaptered Version · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was formatted into a final chaptered version, adding new operational requirements for safe haven providers and clarifying the roles of hospitals and adoption agencies. Key substantive changes include a new 48-hour deadline for agencies to take custody of infants before the department must intervene, a mandate for hospitals to contact the department if an agency fails to act within 24 hours, and a new provision allowing health care providers to make immediate medical decisions for the infant before custody is transferred.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's applicability was expanded by adding new responsibilities for hospitals and private adoption agencies, specifically requiring hospitals to notify the department if an agency does not take custody within 24 hours and establishing a 48-hour maximum window before the state department must assume custody.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for hospitals to contact the Department of Child Safety if an adoption agency fails to take custody of an infant within 24 hours of completing a physical examination.

Added a provision allowing health care providers to make necessary medical treatment decisions for the infant before a private adoption agency or the department takes custody.

Added a requirement for safe haven providers to complete the Arizona health care cost containment system application process on behalf of the infant.

Added eligibility criteria for private adoption agencies to be placed on the department's rotating contact list, requiring them to be nonprofit, not specialize in international adoptions, and have a 24-hour emergency contact number.

TIMELINE

Established a new 48-hour deadline; if no agency takes custody within this timeframe, the Department of Child Safety must assume custody of the infant.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'custody' to include the legal authority to make medical decisions and file petitions for termination of parental rights.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 26, 2026 · House Jun 2, 2026

How they voted

26–1

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 30

Feb 26, 2026

D Democratic13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

R Republican17

14 Yea 1 Nay 2

82% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 19, 2026

Signed into law

Signed by Governor

executive

Jun 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors