Senate committee substitute to the 2nd edition makes the following changes. Under the 2nd edition of the bill, Article 5A does not apply when the infant is not reasonably believed to be under seven days old. Removes this language and changes the exclusion to when “a surrendered infant is reasonably believed to be more than seven days old.”  Changes the age of the infant from “under” seven days old to “not more than” seven days old throughout the Article, in GS 7B-101, and GS 14-322.3.  Changes the age of the infant from “less than seven days of age” to “not more” than seven days of age in GS 14-322.3.

Changes the effective date to make the amendments to GS 14-322.2 effective after December 1, 2023, and applies to offenses committed after that date.  The remainder of the act becomes effective October 1, 2023 and adds that the act applies to infants safely surrendered on or after that date.