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Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1.  17-A MRSA §553, sub-§4  is enacted to read:
 
4.     It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this section that the person had voluntarily placed the child with a person, agency or medical facility and the placement resulted from communication between the person or the person's agent and the Department of Health and Human Services and health care professionals with the purpose of securing a placement that is in the best interests of the child.’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the bill but carries out the original intent. This amendment provides that it is an affirmative defense to a prosecution for abandonment of a child that the parent, guardian or other person legally charged with the long-term care and custody of a child under 14 years of age voluntarily placed the child with a person, agency or medical facility after communicating with the Department of Health and Human Services and health care professionals with the purpose of securing a placement that is in the best interests of the child.