The “Baby Moses” Law: A Case for Improving Medicolegal Education for Pediatric Trainees

Abstract

Medicolegal education is not standardized for medical student or pediatric resident trainees throughout the United States. However, trainees will inevitably face patient encounters in which knowing state and federal laws are integral in properly treating and caring for the patient. Here, we present the case of treating an abandoned infant in Texas, the Baby Moses law, and how knowing state and federal laws enhance trainees’ understanding and ability to care for their patients. We then discuss the paucity of medical literature surrounding medicolegal education curricula and the need for the development of a national curriculum on medicolegal education that starts in medical school and extends throughout residency and subspecialty training.