Expanded NJ Law Allows Parents To Surrender Babies At Hospitals

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Whatever the reason, some people simply aren’t ready to be parents when their baby is born. And in New Jersey, there are ways for them to safely surrender their child – without being judged, advocates say.

Last week, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill that will expand the state’s Safe Haven Infant Protection Act. Parents can now surrender a newborn child that is under a month-old at a licensed general hospital. The law already allows parents to surrender their child at hospital emergency rooms, police stations, or at fire, ambulance and rescue squad stations that are open for 24 hours per day.

Once cleared by a medical professional, infants who have been surrendered are placed into a foster or pre-adoptive home through the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.

Parents who follow the guidelines will not face any legal consequences, state officials say.

The bill (A-4110/S-2828) also expands the civil and criminal immunity provided to certain professionals under the act to all hospital employees – not just those working in the emergency department – so that any adult employee of a licensed general hospital can now accept a surrendered infant.

Police officers, firefighters, and ambulance/first aid/rescue squad members acting in good faith to execute their responsibility under the Safe Haven Infant Protection Act will also continue to have civil and criminal immunity.

More information can be found at www.njsafehaven.org or by calling the Safe Haven Hotline at 1-877-839-2339.

Since August 2000, nearly 90 infants have been protected from harm under the law, according to New Jersey Department of Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer.

“In New Jersey, we offer a legal, judgement-free way for individuals to surrender their baby to professionals who will ensure the infant receives the care they need,” Murphy said. “Expanding this critical law will make it easier for residents to safely give their baby up after childbirth by making entire hospitals safe surrender sites.”

The bipartisan bill saw enthusiastic support from both sides of the aisle, including two lawmakers who represent towns in Essex County.

“Every adult and teen parent who feels unprepared to care for their newborn should be aware of the life-saving options that are available for their infant child,” Sen. Kristen Corrado said.

“Giving parents more options to safely surrender their newborn after birth not only protects more infants from otherwise dangerous or deadly situations, but it also prevents parents from being prosecuted as well,” said Corrado, a Republican who represents the state’s 40th District, including Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell and Verona.

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“For over 20 years, New Jersey’s Safe Haven Law has protected both innocent newborns and parents not ready or able to take on the immense responsibility of caring for a child,” agreed Assemblywoman Mila Jasey.

“Today, we are adapting our laws to provide parents with an additional option to safely and legally surrender their newborn baby without fearing prosecution,” said Jasey, a Democrat who represents the state’s 27th District, including Livingston, Millburn, Montclair, Roseland and West Orange.

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Other sponsors of the expanded law include Sen. Shirley Turner and Assemblywomen Shavonda Sumter and Angela McKnight.

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