Wisconsin lawmakers unanimously passed a bill last week that will allow the installation of Safe Haven Baby Boxes in state hospitals or fire stations, in accordance with the state’s safe haven law. The law allows parents to surrender an infant less than 72 hours old if they feel they are unable to care for the child. The baby box approval expands that allowance to enable parents to make the surrender anonymously.
The legislation, Senate Bill 369, was co-authored by State Representative Ellen Schutt, who said she was inspired to sponsor the bill after a baby in her area was found abandoned in a field over the summer.
“This bill provides distressed parents with a secure and anonymous alternative to in-person relinquishment, which will ultimately save countless newborn baby lives,” Schutt said.
When a child is placed inside the climate-controlled baby box, a silent alarm is triggered and emergency personnel respond within minutes. Per the Wisconsin statute, the boxes will only be installed in facilities that are staffed 24/7.
According to the Safe Haven Baby Box organization, 16 babies have been saved in baby boxes this year alone. Many of these stories result in happy endings — like the firefighter in Florida who adopted the baby he saved from a baby box, and the Indiana police officer who adopted a safe haven baby last year.
“There is a real beauty in seeing the families made with these babies adopted by amazing families. It is a real chance to rewrite tragedy into a blessing,” Monica Kelsey, founder of the Safe Haven Baby Box organization, said last week.
The bill now heads to the desk of Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers for approval. If the bill becomes law, Wisconsin would become the 15th state in the country to utilize baby boxes.
