BabySafeHaven
03-16-2004, 01:25 PM
MASSACHUSETTS
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/Stories/0,1413,106~4994~2021166,00.html
'Safe havens' law moving forward
By Jennifer Fenn, Sentinel & Enterprise Statehouse Bureau
BOSTON -- Legislation creating "safe havens," a place where parents can drop
off unwanted newborns, is one step closer to becoming law after winning final
passage in the House Monday.
The bill now goes to the Senate for debate and a vote.
Massachusetts would become the 46th state to pass a so-called safe havens law,
which supporters hope will prevent death and injury to unwanted newborns.
"It's a bill that I know can help people," said state Rep. Barry Finegold,
D-Andover, the House sponsor of the measure. "If it saves just one life, it
will be a success."
Finegold first filed the bill in 2000 when just 20 states had a safe haven law,
but it has failed to move forward until now.
One of the sticking points among lawmakers was over a sunset clause, which is
included in the House-approved language. Finegold said some lawmakers want an
analysis showing how well the law is working before making it permanent.
According to the legislation, parents or a person designated by the parents,
can leave unwanted newborns seven days or younger at a hospital, police
department or 24-hour fire station without consequences as long as the baby
does not show signs of abuse or neglect.
Sen. Susan Tucker, D-Andover, the Senate chairman of the Human Services and
Elderly Affairs Committee, said she thinks her colleagues will support the
bill. It's unclear when the Senate will consider the legislation.
"We have debated this issue for three years now and it's time to get it done,"
Tucker said. "I think the support in the Senate will be overwhelming. There
have been some sticking points, but I think the sunset provision removes them."
According to the bill, the legislation will expire in 2008. Before the
Legislature can renew the law, the Department of Social Services must prepare a
report in conjunction with several child welfare organizations looking at
whether the law is effective.
Finegold said he's not "thrilled" about the sunset clause, but gave in to keep
the bill alive.
"Sometimes, in order to get a bill moving forward you have to compromise," he
said.
Sen. Robert Antonioni, D-Leominster, said he supports the concept of the bill
but has not seen the details of the legislation. Until he has a chance to speak
with colleagues who have worked on the bill, he's reserving his judgment.
"I think it's fair to say that I'm open to it," Antonioni said.
Shawn Feddeman, a spokeswoman for Gov. Mitt Romney, said the governor supports
the idea but hasn't seen the final language of the bill. Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey
has testified in favor of creating safe havens.
"It's a concept the administration supports," Feddeman said.
According to the legislation, representatives of the hospital, police
department or fire station must immediately inform the Department of Social
Services when a baby is dropped off. The department will take custody of the
newborn and place the baby into foster care.
Representatives at the safe havens are required to ask for the child's name,
name and address of parent placing child, name and address of person placing
the child if not a parent, child's birthplace, and child's medical history.
However, the person leaving the child is not required to provide any
information.
Abandonment at a safe haven will not result in an automatic termination of
parental rights, but it will allow the department to start that process.
Finegold said he filed the bill after a baby was abandoned in a paper bag and
left in the parking lot of a Worcester hospital.
"I can't imagine how anyone would give up their child, but we do need to have
these options," Finegold said.
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/Stories/0,1413,106~4994~2021166,00.html
'Safe havens' law moving forward
By Jennifer Fenn, Sentinel & Enterprise Statehouse Bureau
BOSTON -- Legislation creating "safe havens," a place where parents can drop
off unwanted newborns, is one step closer to becoming law after winning final
passage in the House Monday.
The bill now goes to the Senate for debate and a vote.
Massachusetts would become the 46th state to pass a so-called safe havens law,
which supporters hope will prevent death and injury to unwanted newborns.
"It's a bill that I know can help people," said state Rep. Barry Finegold,
D-Andover, the House sponsor of the measure. "If it saves just one life, it
will be a success."
Finegold first filed the bill in 2000 when just 20 states had a safe haven law,
but it has failed to move forward until now.
One of the sticking points among lawmakers was over a sunset clause, which is
included in the House-approved language. Finegold said some lawmakers want an
analysis showing how well the law is working before making it permanent.
According to the legislation, parents or a person designated by the parents,
can leave unwanted newborns seven days or younger at a hospital, police
department or 24-hour fire station without consequences as long as the baby
does not show signs of abuse or neglect.
Sen. Susan Tucker, D-Andover, the Senate chairman of the Human Services and
Elderly Affairs Committee, said she thinks her colleagues will support the
bill. It's unclear when the Senate will consider the legislation.
"We have debated this issue for three years now and it's time to get it done,"
Tucker said. "I think the support in the Senate will be overwhelming. There
have been some sticking points, but I think the sunset provision removes them."
According to the bill, the legislation will expire in 2008. Before the
Legislature can renew the law, the Department of Social Services must prepare a
report in conjunction with several child welfare organizations looking at
whether the law is effective.
Finegold said he's not "thrilled" about the sunset clause, but gave in to keep
the bill alive.
"Sometimes, in order to get a bill moving forward you have to compromise," he
said.
Sen. Robert Antonioni, D-Leominster, said he supports the concept of the bill
but has not seen the details of the legislation. Until he has a chance to speak
with colleagues who have worked on the bill, he's reserving his judgment.
"I think it's fair to say that I'm open to it," Antonioni said.
Shawn Feddeman, a spokeswoman for Gov. Mitt Romney, said the governor supports
the idea but hasn't seen the final language of the bill. Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey
has testified in favor of creating safe havens.
"It's a concept the administration supports," Feddeman said.
According to the legislation, representatives of the hospital, police
department or fire station must immediately inform the Department of Social
Services when a baby is dropped off. The department will take custody of the
newborn and place the baby into foster care.
Representatives at the safe havens are required to ask for the child's name,
name and address of parent placing child, name and address of person placing
the child if not a parent, child's birthplace, and child's medical history.
However, the person leaving the child is not required to provide any
information.
Abandonment at a safe haven will not result in an automatic termination of
parental rights, but it will allow the department to start that process.
Finegold said he filed the bill after a baby was abandoned in a paper bag and
left in the parking lot of a Worcester hospital.
"I can't imagine how anyone would give up their child, but we do need to have
these options," Finegold said.
