BabySafeHaven
01-03-2005, 04:01 PM
MASSACHUSETTS
http://www.masslive.com/newsflash/mass/index.ssf?/base/news-15/11047730422
97211.xml&storylist=massnews
State promotes awareness of new safe havens law
1/3/2005 - The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Mass. (AP) — State officials on Monday kicked off an awareness
campaign of the new safe haven law, reminding young parents with posters and
billboards that "If you can't keep your baby, you can keep your baby safe."
The law, which went into effect this fall, allows a parent to anonymously leave
a newborn who is less than a week old at a hospital, police station or other
designated area without facing any legal consequences.
The new awareness campaign, being spearheaded by the state Department of Social
Services and a committee of public safety and hospital officials, includes
posters on public transit and two billboards — one over the Expressway in
Boston and one along the Massachusetts Turnpike in Worcester. It also includes
a statewide safe haven hotline, 1-866-814-SAFE, and a new Web site,
www.babysafehaven.com.
"Newborn abandonment is an avoidable tragedy that we are determined to stamp
out in Massachusetts," Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey said at an awareness event in
Lexington. "Working together, we will spread the word that every child,
regardless of circumstance, can receive a loving, supportive start to life."
The awareness campaign is designed to promote the new law as well as teen
pregnancy programs and adoption information.
In July, Massachusetts became the 46th state to pass a safe haven law. Before
it went into effect, parents found guilty of abandoning a baby could face up to
five years in prison.
http://www.masslive.com/newsflash/mass/index.ssf?/base/news-15/11047730422
97211.xml&storylist=massnews
State promotes awareness of new safe havens law
1/3/2005 - The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Mass. (AP) — State officials on Monday kicked off an awareness
campaign of the new safe haven law, reminding young parents with posters and
billboards that "If you can't keep your baby, you can keep your baby safe."
The law, which went into effect this fall, allows a parent to anonymously leave
a newborn who is less than a week old at a hospital, police station or other
designated area without facing any legal consequences.
The new awareness campaign, being spearheaded by the state Department of Social
Services and a committee of public safety and hospital officials, includes
posters on public transit and two billboards — one over the Expressway in
Boston and one along the Massachusetts Turnpike in Worcester. It also includes
a statewide safe haven hotline, 1-866-814-SAFE, and a new Web site,
www.babysafehaven.com.
"Newborn abandonment is an avoidable tragedy that we are determined to stamp
out in Massachusetts," Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey said at an awareness event in
Lexington. "Working together, we will spread the word that every child,
regardless of circumstance, can receive a loving, supportive start to life."
The awareness campaign is designed to promote the new law as well as teen
pregnancy programs and adoption information.
In July, Massachusetts became the 46th state to pass a safe haven law. Before
it went into effect, parents found guilty of abandoning a baby could face up to
five years in prison.
