MASSACHUSETTS
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/view.bg?articleid=72061
Editorial: Safe havens
Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Had it not been summer, the newborn left on the steps of a church on Martha's
Vineyard would have died before someone came along to help. As it was, the
infant had be hospitalized, a tiny, breathing testament to the need for
legislation creating "safe havens" for abandoned infants.

"We can't have any more of these on our watch," said state Rep. Stephen
LeDuc, a Marlborough Democrat who serves as House chairman of the Children's
Caucus.

The House gave initial approval in March to a bill creating "safe havens"
where parents can legally and anonymously abandon a newborn child at a
hospital, police station or 24-hour fire station within seven days of a child's
birth. Now, it's the Senate's turn.

More than 40 other states have already adopted similar bills, which are a
commonsense response to the problem of infants abandoned by confused and
panicked young mothers. Lives have already been saved through safe havens,
which is exactly the point.

MetroWest voters have already taken stands in favor of safe havens
legislation, endorsing it by town meeting or city council actions in
Framingham, Marlborough, Natick, Upton, Westborough and other communities. But
a statewide solution, which can promoted to the small number of desperate,
pregnant teens looking for help, would be far preferable.

The Senate can help provide that life-saving solution by endorsing the
Baby Safe Havens legislation and sending it on to the governor.