Does your state have a Safe Haven law?

[Courtesy Flush]

We've had this law for several years. A woman can leave her newborn at any hospital, fire station, etc., no questions asked, and walk away forever. This law was intended to prevent babies being left in dumpsters, etc.

I ask because I work for CPS, and we are getting a Safe Haven baby today. It doesn't happen often in our small town. Seems like it would be a near daily occurrence in a larger city.

Are these laws widespread?

http://www.dss.state.la.us/departments/ocs/Safe_Haven.html

[Haole Girl]

1. Yes, Texas has it

And, it in incomprehensible to me why some women still don't use it.

[seemunkee]

2. Never heard of it

And that is probably why it isn't used.

[ChickMagic]

9. Yeah, we do have it

They call it the Baby Moses law and sold it as "if it was good enough for Moses, it should be good enough for us". Recently we had someone who left their baby at the appropriate place, but hadn't physically handed the baby to someone. I believe she left the baby on a bench outside the front door. She was prosecuted. So, it doesn't surprise me that we still have dumpster babies.

[Crazy Dave]

3. Not sure but I wish the same law would apply to other situations

Minority communities are especially prone to crimes such as kidnapping and extortion but most of the time the victims or witnesses are in the country illegally and are too afraid to come forward.
Also, drug addicts, overdose victims especially, should be able to call emergency services and not fear being jailed afterwards.

[ThomCat]

6. You are absolutely right.

People (any people) should be able to get help without being punished for it.

[Haole Girl]

7. Hi Thom!

I've gotta run...

but I couldn't resist saying hello! :hi: :hug:

[ThomCat]

8. Hi, KC2!

:hi:

:hug:

[supernova]

4. Yes, NC has a safe haven law

In the few years preceding the law, we had a rash of high-profile newborn left in dumpster stories that were just horrible. Of course, it happened previous to that, but it finally focused public attention on the problem.

Recently though, there was mention that maybe not enough new anxious mothers who wished to give up their babies knew about the law. So efforts to increace awareness are underway. The NC State Bar has put together an info packet:

http://health.ncbar.org/Legal+Resources/+Infant+Abandonment+Packet/default.aspx

[rug]

5. This has a link on the bottom to all state laws.

http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/safehaven.cfm

[likesmountains 52]

10. Colorado does..

[1gobluedem]

11. Yes, Michigan has one

Sadly, though, too many people seem unaware of it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

13. Jinx... see below.

:D

It gets used a lot here in Detroit...but people are penalized often for not knowing the law.

[ScreamingMeemie]

12. Michigan has the law...and sadly, it is misinterpreted to the point where

girls still get in trouble for dropping off babies at the wrong place, an aunt was arrested (she was only 17) for dropping off a newborn at a hospital because the mother hadn't returned for him after 5 days... Only the birth mother can do the drop off. And the penalties for the aunt would have been ridiculous if not for public outcry. It's better than nothing (garbage cans) but it has a long way to go.