The Illinois Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act passed with unanimous support in 2001 and is seen as a model for other states. Now, all 50 states has some form of safe haven law, but Illinois' law could change.
Lawmakers with the support of many healthcare and family agencies want to change the law to improve a safe handing over of an infant rather an unsafe abandonment.
Under House Bill 3925, a parent would have 30 days to give up their unharmed newborn. The packet of information given to mother's would be more streamlined, any staff person at a fire station can take the newborn, and a parent can hand over a baby at the hospital.
Since the Illinois Safe Haven Law was passed in 2001, 49 infants have been safely and legally relinquished.
However 54 were illegally abandoned. 27 of those did not survive.
The Save Abandoned Babies Foundations says the new amendment would give a parent the safe and legal option who might otherwise abandon their newborn in a dumpster or other unsafe place.
2007 was the last time the Safe Haven Law was changed. It was to mandate that a recognizable and uniform sign be posted at all Safe Havens in the state of Illinois. This legislation is also receiving support from the Prevent Child Abuse Illinois organization, March Of Dimes, and many other support groups.
