Sen. Boucher Joins Working Group to Help Promote Safe Havens Law

Raising Awareness About CT’s “Safe Havens” Law. From left to right: Rep. Tami Zawistowki, Rep. Gail Lavielle, Rep. Pam Sawyer, Sen. Cathy Osten, Rep. Bill Aman, Sen. Dante Bartolomeo, Sen. Toni Boucher.

Hartford, CT – After hearing the tragic story on August 13th of an infant found dead in an East Hartford trash canister, Sen. Toni Boucher (pictured at far right) joined several state legislators at an Aug. 19 press conference to help raise awareness about Connecticut’s Safe Havens law.

Under the Safe Havens Law, if a baby is 30 days old or younger, the parent can bring the baby to any hospital emergency department in Connecticut, and the parent will not face criminal prosecution for abandonment. The parent is not required to give information, and the baby will be cared for and quickly placed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) with a licensed family who wants to adopt. Since, the law took effect in 2000, there have been several Safe Haven babies — all of whom have been adopted or are living permanently with a relative.

“This life-saving law protects both children and mothers,” Sen. Boucher said. “This public-private working group will seek ways to spread the word to Connecticut’s young people about the state’s Safe Havens law.”

State agencies, hospitals and universities and legislators are being asked to participate in the working group to formulate a plan for ongoing publicity of this life saving law to protect both children and mothers.

“It is imperative that citizens are aware that a distressed mother may anonymously leave her newborn at any hospital emergency room if she cannot adequately care for the child,” Sen. Boucher said. “She and her child will be given matching bracelets so that she may come back for the baby if she changes her mind within 30 days. I hope community members will help me spread the word about this law. Many young people have no idea that it exists. By raising awareness about Safe Havens, we can save lives.”

More info: http://www.ct.gov/dcf/cwp/view.asp?a=2556&q=314392