Safe Haven Law
In April of 2001, the Wisconsin state legislature passed a new law helping newborns that may be at risk of being abandoned, neglected or harmed by their mothers in any way. The 'Safe Haven' law allows mothers to leave their infant to a law enforcement officer, court intake worker, emergency medical technician or hospital staff worker, relinquish parental rights and remain anonymous.
The June/July, 2002, issue of Life Net, a newsletter from the Wisconsin Coalition of Pregnancy Centers, contained the following update of this law:
Following are some key tenets of the law that are important for your staff and volunteers to be aware of:
Anonymous: If a woman has kept her pregnancy secret, the guarantee of anonymity will help alleviate her fear that someone will 'find out.'
Unharmed: If a child has been abused, neglected or harmed, the police may be called and the person bringing in the baby may be charged. If the baby is harmed, the guarantee of anonymity and freedom from prosecution do not apply.
Without Fear of Prosecution: If a woman, who might otherwise abandon her newborn, chooses a hospital in lieu of a more disastrous choice, she will not be prosecuted. Note: The exchange must be hand to hand to ensure the newborn's safety. Otherwise it's classified as abandonment or neglect and is against the law.
Within 72 Hours: The first hours of a newborn's life are the most vulnerable, therefore the most critical.
Hospital: Hospital personnel are trained to respond to crisis and to other needed medical attention and care to both the mother and newborn.
Posters and information cards on this law will be in a visible location at Tomorrow’s Choice.
You can also read the history of Assembly Bill 54, the Bill itself (PDF), and the Senate Amendment (PDF) to it.