summary
Introduced
05/02/2025
05/02/2025
In Committee
05/02/2025
05/02/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, commonly referred to as the Xsafe haven law,Y a child whom a law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, or hospital staff member reasonably believes to be 72 hours old or younger (newborn infant) may be taken into custody under circumstances in which a parent of the newborn infant relinquishes custody of the newborn infant to the law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, or hospital staff member and does not express an intent to return for the newborn infant or in which a parent of the newborn infant leaves the child in a newborn infant safety device installed in a supporting wall of a hospital, fire station, or law enforcement agency. Under current law, a parent who relinquishes custody of a child under the safe haven law and any person who assists the parent in that relinquishment are immune from any civil or criminal liability for any good faith act or omission in connection with the relinquishment. This bill changes the maximum age at which a newborn infant falls under the safe haven law from 72 hours old to 30 days old.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the existing Wisconsin safe haven law by extending the maximum age at which a child can be safely relinquished from 72 hours old to 30 days old. Under this law, parents can surrender their infant to a law enforcement officer, emergency medical services practitioner, or hospital staff member without fear of criminal or civil prosecution. The bill specifically amends three sections of Wisconsin statutes related to child custody and relinquishment, updating references from "72 hours" to "30 days" in each section. This change allows parents who are struggling with caring for a newborn more time and flexibility to safely surrender their child to authorized professionals, potentially reducing risks of infant abandonment or harm. The safe haven law remains designed to protect both the child and the parent by providing a legal, compassionate alternative for parents who feel unable to care for their infant.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (15)
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Lindee Brill (R)*,
Joy Goeben (R)*,
Rick Gundrum (R)*,
Nate Gustafson (R)*,
Joel Kitchens (R)*,
Dan Knodl (R)*,
Rob Kreibich (R)*,
Dave Maxey (R)*,
Todd Novak (R)*,
Jerry O'Connor (R)*,
Pricilla Prado (D)*,
Chuck Wichgers (R)*,
Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R),
Rob Hutton (R),
Last Action
Representative Kurtz added as a coauthor (on 06/05/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
---|---|
State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab237 |
AB237 ROCP for Committee on Children and Families | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/children_and_families/1920216.pdf |
BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB237.pdf |
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