Governor Pillen signed Legislative Bill 876 into law on April 15, 2024, which changes the current law which previously allowed infants up to thirty days old to be left with an employee on duty at a licensed hospital in Nebraska.
Effective July 19, 2024, the law will allow an infant up to ninety days old to be left with an employee on duty at a hospital licensed by the State of Nebraska, a staffed fire station, staffed law enforcement agency or an emergency care provider.
If you feel that this is the option that you need to take, representatives at the Cherry County Hospital would like to encourage you to take your child to a hospital if possible rather than law enforcement or fire station so that the child can receive proper care as soon as possible. Also, an important reminder that that the Valentine Fire Hall is not staffed, nor are any of the other volunteer fire stations in Cherry County.
You will not be prosecuted under the law, however you are encouraged to have some basic information about the child available if possible, including date of birth, name, medical history, etc.
It’s hoped that this is an act of last resort, and that you pursue the various assistance and help that is provided by various organizations and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.