BabySafeHaven
01-03-2005, 04:20 PM
MASSACHUSETTS
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/politics/4042277/detail.html
State Promoting New 'Safe Haven' Law
Law Lets Parents Leave Newborns At Hospital, Police Station
POSTED: 12:26 pm EST January 3, 2005
UPDATED: 5:38 pm EST January 3, 2005
BOSTON -- The state is working to make sure young parents are aware that there
is an alternative to abandoning a newborn.
NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that Massachusetts Safe Haven Law has been in
effect since October, a new awareness campaign is spreading the message -- and
hopefully saving lives.
The Romney administration kicked off a $200,000 campaign to persuade new
mothers to bring their unwanted babies to hospitals, police stations or fire
stations instead of abandoning them -- no questions asked, all volunteered
information accepted.
"If a mother cannot care for a newborn child for any reason, we want her to
know that she can leave the child in the safe hands of responsible authorities
without any criminal liability," Healey said.
The campaign will feature signs on the MBTA, radio ads, and TV ads produced and
written by Boston Arts Academy students as well as decals and signs at
strategic locations.
A Lexington, Mass., couple pushed to make Massachusetts the 47th state with a
Safe Haven Law after a newborn was found dead in a Dorchester cemetery more
than three years ago.
"The image of baby Rebecca and the vow we had made to her, that's what kept us
going. It's a tribute to her life that her life did have meaning," Safe Haven
Alliance spokesman Jean Morrisey said.
Morrisey estimates that at least 300 babies have been saved since Safe Haven
laws went into effect across the country about five years ago.
Healey emphasized that parents who leave their baby at a police station,
hospital or firehouse are not terminating their parental rights immediately. It
takes months, if not longer, for the adoption process to be completed.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/politics/4042277/detail.html
State Promoting New 'Safe Haven' Law
Law Lets Parents Leave Newborns At Hospital, Police Station
POSTED: 12:26 pm EST January 3, 2005
UPDATED: 5:38 pm EST January 3, 2005
BOSTON -- The state is working to make sure young parents are aware that there
is an alternative to abandoning a newborn.
NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that Massachusetts Safe Haven Law has been in
effect since October, a new awareness campaign is spreading the message -- and
hopefully saving lives.
The Romney administration kicked off a $200,000 campaign to persuade new
mothers to bring their unwanted babies to hospitals, police stations or fire
stations instead of abandoning them -- no questions asked, all volunteered
information accepted.
"If a mother cannot care for a newborn child for any reason, we want her to
know that she can leave the child in the safe hands of responsible authorities
without any criminal liability," Healey said.
The campaign will feature signs on the MBTA, radio ads, and TV ads produced and
written by Boston Arts Academy students as well as decals and signs at
strategic locations.
A Lexington, Mass., couple pushed to make Massachusetts the 47th state with a
Safe Haven Law after a newborn was found dead in a Dorchester cemetery more
than three years ago.
"The image of baby Rebecca and the vow we had made to her, that's what kept us
going. It's a tribute to her life that her life did have meaning," Safe Haven
Alliance spokesman Jean Morrisey said.
Morrisey estimates that at least 300 babies have been saved since Safe Haven
laws went into effect across the country about five years ago.
Healey emphasized that parents who leave their baby at a police station,
hospital or firehouse are not terminating their parental rights immediately. It
takes months, if not longer, for the adoption process to be completed.
