26:2H-12.6a Preparation, distribution of resource guide providing information on child abuse, neglect.

1. a. The Department of Children and Families, in consultation with the Department of Health, shall prepare a resource guide in both English and Spanish which provides information on child abuse and neglect to all parents of newborn infants born in this State. The resource guide shall be distributed to each parent present during the infant's birth, by the personnel at a hospital or birthing facility, prior to the mother's discharge, as part of the hospital or birthing facility's discharge procedures.

b. The resource guide shall include information on the signs of child abuse and neglect, the services provided by the State which help in preventing child abuse and neglect, including the availability of home visitation resources, the legal ramifications of abusing or neglecting a child, and tips on child safety.

c. The department shall distribute the resource guide, at no charge, to all the hospitals and birthing facilities in the State. The department shall update the resource guide as necessary, and shall make additional copies of the resource guide available to health care providers upon request.

d. In addition to the resource guide prepared pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the department, in consultation with the Department of Health, shall prepare a pamphlet in both English and Spanish that includes information on the prevention of shaken baby syndrome and detailed suggestions for how to cope with a crying baby. The pamphlet shall be distributed to each parent present during the infant's birth, by the personnel at a hospital or birthing facility, prior to the mother's discharge, as part of the hospital or birthing facility's discharge procedures. The department shall: distribute the pamphlet, at no charge, to all hospitals and birthing facilities in the State; update the pamphlet as necessary; and make additional copies of the pamphlet available to health care providers upon request.

L.1998, c.136, s.1; amended 2006, c.47, s.109; 2010, c.67; 2012, c.17, s.181.