MASSACHUSETTS
http://www.lowellsun.com/Stories/0,1413,105~4756~2235092,00.html

Protecting newborns

The recent abandonment of a newborn baby, left on church steps in the Town of
Tisbury, says it all. The baby nearly died from hours of exposure to the harsh
elements, before its rescue by a passerby.
Make the Baby Safe Haven bill a law.

Massachusetts is one of only a few remaining states without a safe haven law to
help protect newborns from abandonment, harm and potential death.

Lexington residents Jean and Michael Morrisey have struggled to see a law
approved since helping to bury an infant found dead in a Dorchester cemetery in
2001. After a Senate bill failed in 2002, the couple sent out a despairing
"obituary" on the legislative snub.

Since then, sponsorship has strengthened and individual municipalities have
backed home-rule petitions for a safe-haven measure.

The Legislature has no good reason not to act.

When an infant is born to someone who panics and decides not to keep it, that
child's life is in danger. A safe haven law will offer a place for the "parent"
to leave the child in caring hands, without recrimination.

Critics say the law lets irresponsible "parents" off the hook too easily. While
that may be true, the law's aim is to save the lives of those who can't protect
themselves.

A Baby Safe Haven bill sponsored by Rep. Barry Finegold, D-Andover, has passed
the House and is now waiting for Senate action. Area Democratic senators favor
its passage. Republican Gov. Mitt Romney is also on board. "It's one of the few
measures that both pro-choice and pro-life agree on," Rep. Finegold said.
"Maybe the only issue."

Safe haven laws are working well in other states. It doesn't make sense for
Massachusetts to continue to block its passage here.