As of March, 2003 - 42 states have enacted "safe haven" laws which permit any person, typically the parent, to abandon a newborn baby at a specified location (hospital, firehouse, or police station). The names of these laws differ: Safe Haven, Save Place, Baby Moses Law, Safe Arms for Newborns, Safe Delivery, etc. The purpose of these laws is to save the lives of newborns in danger of abandonment, and to help preserve the health and future of their mothers. State laws differ on the procedure. Some states allow a newborn to be simply handed to a doctor or police officer. The threat of criminal prosecution may be either reduced or eliminated, depending on the state. Some states allow the parent to remain anonymous; others require the person who receives the newborn to attempt to establish the identity of the parent and obtain a medical history. Some states place a limit on the age of the newborn that can be abandoned (typically from 3-30 days old). The intent is to emphasize the importance of surrendering a newborn to a place quickly where he or she can receive proper care. Anyone in the U.S. needing to get in touch with a safe haven can call 1-877-796-HOPE (1-877-796-4673).
State-Specific Safe Haven Laws
Alabama - Up to 3 days old with an employee at an emergency room.
Alaska - No Safe Haven law.
Arizona - Up to 3 days old with a staff member at a fire station or hospital.
Arkansas - Up to 30 days old with an employee at a medical facility or adoption agency.
California - Up to 3 days old with an employee at an emergency room.
Colorado - Up to 3 days old with a fire fighter at a fire station or hospital employee at a hospital.
Connecticut - Up to 30 days old with an employee at a medical facility or police department.
Delaware - Up to 14 days with an employee at a medical facility.
Florida - Up to 3 days old at a hospital or fire station.
Georgia - Up to 7 days old with a hospital employee at an emergency room or law enforcement agency.
Hawaii - No Safe Haven law.
Idaho - Up to 30 days old with a licensed physician, nurse, or other licensed health care worker at any hospital, clinic, or fire station.
Illinois - Up to 3 days old with a staff member of a hospital or fire station.
Indiana - Up to 30 days old with any EMS provider.
Iowa - Up to 14 days old with an employee of a medical facility.
Kansas - Up to 45 days old with an employee at any medical facility, fire department or police department.
Kentucky - Newborn baby with an emergency room employee or employee of a law enforcement agency.
Louisiana - Up to 30 days old with an employee at any medical facility, fire department or police department.
Maine - Up to 31 days old with an EMS employee at a medical facility, police department or fire station.
Maryland - Up to 3 days old with a responsible adult.
Massachusetts - No Safe Haven law.
Michigan - Up to 3 days old with an employee at any hospital, fire department or police department.
Minnesota - Up to 3 days old with a hospital employee.
Mississippi - Up to 3 days old with a hospital employee or adoption agency.
Missouri - Up to 30 days old with an employee at any medical facility, fire department or police department.
Montana - Up to 30 days old with an employee at any medical facility, fire department or police department.
Nebraska - No Safe Haven law.
Nevada - Up to 30 days old with any emergency medical services provider.
New Hampshire - Up to 7 days old at a hospital.
New Jersey - Up to 30 days old with an employee at a medical facility or police department.
New Mexico - Up to 90 days with an employee at any medical facility.
New York - Up to 5 days old with any responsible person in New York.
North Carolina - Up to 7 days old with an EMS or employee of a medical facility or police department.
North Dakota - Up to one year with an employee at any medical facility.
Ohio - Up to 3 days old with an EMS or employee of a medical facility or police department.
Oklahoma - Up to 7 days old with an employee at any medical facility, child welfare agency, fire department or police department.
Oregon - Up to 30 days old with an employee of a medical facility or police department.
Pennsylvania - Up to 30 days old with a hospital employee.
Rhode Island - Up to 30 days old with an EMS or employee at a medical facility, police department or fire station.
South Carolina - Up to 30 days old with an employee at a medical facility.
South Dakota - Up to 60 days old with an Emergency Medical Services Provider, or employee at any fire department or police department.
Tennessee - Up to 3 days old with an employee of a medical facility.
Texas - Up to 30 days old with an Emergency Medical Service Provider, or with with an employee at any child welfare agency.
Utah - Up to 3 days old with an employee of a medical facility.
Vermont - No Safe Haven law.
Virginia - up to 14 days old with a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency service or a rescue squad that employes EMS providers.
Washington - Up to 3 days old with a staff member of volunteer at a fire station or emergency room.
West Virginia - Up to 45 days old with an employee at any medical facility, child welfare agency, fire department or police department.
Wisconsin - Up to 3 days old with a hospital employee.
Wyoming - No Safe Haven law.
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