Governor Evers Signs Bill Expanding State's Safe Haven Law

Friday, December 8th, 2023 -- 12:01 PM

(Robert D'Andrea, Wisconsin Public Radio) Gov. Tony Evers signed a bipartisan bill Wednesday that would expand Wisconsin’s safe haven law that allows parents to anonymously and safely give up an unwanted newborn. 

According to Robert D' Andrea with Wisconsin Public Radio, since 2001, the state has had a process for parents to relinquish a baby that is up to three days old to law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians and hospital staff.

The parent is not obligated to provide information about the infant, but has to give up the baby in person under that law.  The new law allows parents to anonymously put newborns in devices known as baby boxes that can be installed in hospitals, fire stations and law enforcement buildings.

The boxes are temperature-controlled and ventilated for the baby’s safety. The boxes automatically lock once an infant is inside and set off an alarm inside the building. Republican Rep. Ellen Schutt, the lead sponsor of the bill in the Assembly, said she introduced the bill after a tragic incident near her district earlier this year. A Whitewater mother was charged with child neglect after burying her baby in a field. 

"The woman did not want others to know that she was giving up her baby,” Schutt said. “And we just believe that this option or opportunity for parents to anonymously give up their child in a safe baby box would save lives."

More than 200 babies have been voluntarily relinquished under the Wisconsin law since 2012, according to data provided by the state Department of Children and Families. A representative of the department said that because of the complicated nature of these cases, the data may undercount the number statewide.

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