The Newborn Safe Haven Amendment Act of 2010 (D.C. Law 18-158; D.C. Official Code § 4–1451.01 et seq.) allows a parent who resides within the District of Columbia to surrender a newborn infant 14 days old or less to staff at designated hospitals (Authorized Receiving Facilities or ARFs), in the District of Columbia, confidentially and without fear of prosecution, if there is no evidence of child abuse or neglect. Under the law, hospitals are required to notify the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) immediately when a newborn is surrendered. CFSA gains custody of the newborn from the hospital within 23 hours of the notice and provides foster care services to the newborn while seeking a permanent home through adoption. The law requires the Mayor to submit an annual status report giving an update on the number of newborns in the District of Columbia surrendered under the law within the reporting calendar year.  

Legislation: https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/RC25-0144