summary
Introduced
05/09/2025
05/09/2025
In Committee
05/09/2025
05/09/2025
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. LRB-2839/1 EHS:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 243
AI Summary
This bill modifies Wisconsin's safe haven law by extending the maximum age at which an infant can be safely relinquished from 72 hours to 30 days. The existing safe haven law allows parents to legally and safely surrender an infant to law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, or hospital staff without fear of criminal prosecution, provided they do not express an intent to return for the child. Currently, this law applies only to infants believed to be 72 hours old or younger, but this bill would expand that window to 30 days old. The change is reflected in multiple sections of Wisconsin statutes, including provisions related to taking a child into custody, court findings about parental relinquishment, and legal determinations regarding termination of parental rights. The bill maintains the core principle of the original safe haven law, which is to provide a safe alternative for parents who feel unable to care for a newborn, thereby protecting infants from potential harm or abandonment in dangerous circumstances.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (15)
Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R)*,
Rob Hutton (R)*,
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),
Last Action
Representative Kurtz added as a cosponsor (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/sen/bill/sb243 |
BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB243.pdf |
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