What is the Massachusetts Safe Haven Law?

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is home to a unique legal provision known as the Safe Haven Law, which allows parents to relinquish their newborns to a designated safe place without fear of criminal prosecution. This law, which was implemented in 2004, has been a valuable tool for those who wish to ensure their infants are placed in a safe, secure environment, but are unable to provide the necessary care and support.

The Safe Haven Law is designed to protect infants from potential abuse or neglect by providing an alternative to abandoning a newborn in an unsafe location. It allows parents to relinquish an infant to a designated safe place, such as a hospital, police station, or fire station, without legal repercussions. The infant must be no more than seven days old and in good health in order to be eligible for the law’s protections.

Once an infant is relinquished to a safe haven, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is notified, and the department will take custody of the infant and place them in a licensed foster home or other appropriate setting. The department will also work with the parents to provide information and support, including counseling and referrals to health and social services.

The Safe Haven Law is an important part of Massachusetts’ efforts to protect infants and ensure they receive the best possible start in life. By providing a safe place for parents to relinquish their infants, the law helps to reduce the risk of abandonment and provides parents with an alternative to leaving their newborn in an unsafe environment.

In addition to the Safe Haven Law, Massachusetts has a number of other resources and services to assist parents in providing a safe and secure environment for their infants. These include a 24-hour hotline for parents in need of assistance; the Massachusetts Home Visiting Program, which provides home visiting services to families with infants; and the Massachusetts Infant Safe Sleep Initiative, which provides education and resources on safe sleep practices.

The Safe Haven Law is an important part of Massachusetts’ efforts to protect infants and ensure their safety and well-being. By providing parents with a safe place to relinquish their newborns, the law helps to reduce the risk of abandonment and provides an alternative to leaving infants in an unsafe environment. The law also provides parents with access to resources and support that can help them provide the necessary care and support their infants need.