MASSACHUSETTS
http://www2.townonline.com/newton/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=22977
News briefs: City discusses early childhood education
Tuesday, June 29, 2004

State representative candidate Greer Tan Swiston joins advocates Jean and
Michael Morrisey of Lexington in calling for the Massachusetts legislature to
enact a Baby Safe Haven law that 97 percent of the US population in 45 states
have already adopted.

"If such a law were in place in Massachusetts, Baby Vinnie might have been
safely dropped off at a hospital rather than left on the steps of a church."
Swiston said, referring to the infant found last week on the steps of St.
Augustine's Church on Martha's Vineyard. "Clearly whoever left the newborn was
desperate."

Baby Vinnie was estimated to be only hours old when he was discovered. As
of last week, he was in ICU suffering from hypothermia and shortness of oxygen.


Currently the statewide Baby Safe Haven bill, HB 4325, is considered dead
in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Senator Therese Murray of
Plymouth who stands in opposition to all Baby Safe Haven laws and bills.

Swiston's opponent, Rep. Kay Khan, is among the legislators opposed to the
bill.