WEEKLY UPDATE: 04/03/25
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Connecticut’s SAFE Havens Act for Newborns, the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA), a bipartisan group of lawmakers, the Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference, and other stakeholders convened at the Legislative Office Building on Thursday, April 3. The coalition held a joint press conference to recognize the continued partnership between hospitals and the state to maintain this critical service and to raise awareness ahead of the annual Connecticut Baby Safe Havens Day observed on April 4.
The law allows a parent to leave an infant at a hospital emergency department (ED) within a month of giving birth, voluntarily giving up custody without being subject to arrest for abandonment. Since its inception, 59 babies have been brought to Connecticut EDs through the SAFE Havens Act. That number includes two newborns in 2024, according to the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
“Connecticut is blessed. We have 37 emergency departments all over the state, and in each one of these emergency departments, licensed, trained clinicians are ready to accept a safe and warm transfer of a newborn so they can assess them, care for them,” remarked Carl Schiessl, senior director of regulatory advocacy, CHA. “As we look back on 25 years of this law, it has been successful, and one of the reasons we come together each year to celebrate the law is to try to get the word out. We want people to know this law exists so if needed they can take advantage of it.”
A sign reading “Safe Babies, Safe Place, Safe Haven” is displayed outside Connecticut hospitals, in conjunction with the familiar blue “H” traffic sign, signifying their commitment to providing support.
“They are very open and receiving to anyone who comes there in distress,” praised former state legislator Pam Sawyer, who championed the legislation and promoted its passage in 2000. Sawyer noted hospitals were designated safe places because, by design, an infant can receive immediate medical attention and a parent can be connected to resources.
For decades, this law has helped prevent tragic outcomes for dozens of children and supported parents who aren’t able to care for their newborns. The SAFE Havens Act enables a distressed parent to leave a baby at a hospital emergency department anonymously, without fear of prosecution for abandonment, for up to 30 days after the child’s birth. An ED employee is required within 24 hours to contact DCF, which takes immediate custody of the infant, notifies both parents, seeks termination of parental custody, and places the baby in a home with a family that intends to adopt the child.
“No blame. No shame. No questions asked,” DCF writes in a pamphlet detailing the process for parents.
Lawmakers who participated in the press conference included State Senator Cathy Osten and State Representatives Mary Mushinsky, Tim Ackert, and Lezlye Zupkus.
Click here to watch the press conference.
Click here to learn more about Connecticut’s SAFE Havens Act for Newborns.
