MADISON, Wisconsin – A new bill introduced by Wisconsin lawmakers aims to expand the state’s safe haven law. It would provide a new, safe option for a parent who wants to voluntarily surrender their newborn baby.
Under Wisconsin’s current safe haven law, parents must surrender their newborn to authorities in person within 72 hours.
Under the proposed bill, the parent would not have to go through the process in person and could do so anonymously.
“It will save lives and give parents, mom and dad, an option if they feel they are in distress,” said State Representative Ellen Schutt, a co-author of the bill. “They may be giving it up for any number of reasons, and they want to keep that private.”
The anonymity for parents is made possible by a device called a baby box.
Parents can place the baby in the electronically monitored box. When the door of the box is closed, it automatically calls 9-1-1.
From there, a designated fire station or hospital will retrieve the child within minutes.
“We’ve all heard the news stories about babies being left in a dumpster,” said Robbie Sonnentag, director of perinatal services at UnityPoint Health – Meriter. “The intent of the safe haven law is to make sure that if someone finds themselves in that unfortunate situation, they know that there are safer options.”
Sonnentag said hospitals like UnityPoint Health – Meriter are ready for the change if the bill passes.
“We feel very prepared,” Sonnentag said. “If this legislation passes, it’s just going to reinforce what we’ve known for a long time was the right thing to do.”
While the bill hasn’t passed yet, it has received bipartisan support from Wisconsin lawmakers.
“There are members on both sides who have signed on as co-authors,” said State Representative Jill Billings. “We’ll see what happens.”
The bill has passed the state Senate and now heads to the state Assembly.
If passed, it would make Wisconsin the 15th state to allow baby boxes.