Safe Haven law increases time for parents in crisis to surrender their newborn
WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin is marking a major milestone for a lifesaving law, while also expanding protections for newborns and parents in crisis.
This year marks 25 years since Wisconsin first enacted its Safe Haven law on April 3, 2001. It allows parents to safely surrender newborns with no questions asked.
Wisconsin had one of the most restrictive Safe Haven laws in the nation, giving parents just 72 hours to surrender their newborn. Under 2025 Wisconsin Act 94, that window has expanded to 30 days.
Governor Tony Evers signed it into law last month, allowing parents to leave infants up to 30 days old with trained professionals, including hospital staff, EMTs, police officers, or firefighters.
At Ascension Wisconsin, a community-wide training Friday morning updated first responders on these changes. Advocates say giving more time to parents to make the difficult choice was a necessary change.
“We do have some cases where women may have had a very difficult delivery and may not even be in the mental state or physical state to make such a decision within that 72-hour time,” said Tricia Burkett, a coordinator with Safe Place for Newborns.
Since the law went into effect 25 years ago, Safe Place for Newborns organizers say more than 400 babies have been safely surrendered in Wisconsin.