Governor Murphy Expands NJ’s Safe Haven Infant Protection Act: General Hospitals Now Designated Safe Surrender Sites

The new legislation comes during Safe Haven Awareness Month and aims to give parents more options for safely surrendering a newborn they can't care for, expanding protection zones from emergency rooms to entire hospitals.

Morristown, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy has signed a bill enhancing New Jersey's Safe Haven Infant Protection Act, providing additional avenues for parents to safely surrender infants without facing legal repercussions. The move comes amid Safe Haven Awareness Month, designed to educate the public about lawful alternatives for parents unable or unwilling to care for their newborns.

Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How

Who: The legislation impacts all residents of New Jersey who may be in a situation that makes them unable or unwilling to care for a newborn child.

What: Bill A-4110/S-2828, an expansion of the Safe Haven Infant Protection Act, allows parents to safely surrender their infants at licensed general hospitals and not just at police stations, hospital emergency departments, 24/7 fire stations, or first aid and rescue squads.

When: Governor Murphy signed the bill into law on September 1, 2023.

Where: The new law applies to licensed general hospitals across New Jersey.

Why: The expansion aims to offer more options for safe infant surrender, thereby protecting more infants and providing peace of mind for parents.

How: Parents can now safely leave their newborns at a licensed general hospital if they indicate that they do not plan to return for their infant. The bill also provides civil and criminal immunity to all adult hospital employees for accepting a surrendered infant.

Key Changes in the Legislation

• The bill clarifies that parents can leave their newborn at any licensed general hospital after giving birth, not just at designated safe surrender sites like police stations or hospital emergency departments.
• The law extends immunity from civil and criminal prosecution to all adult hospital employees, expanding it beyond those working specifically in emergency departments.

A Compassionate Approach to a Complex Issue

“Whatever the reason may be, some people simply aren’t ready to be parents when their baby is born. In New Jersey, we offer a legal, judgement-free way for individuals to surrender their baby to professionals who will ensure the infant receives the care they need,” stated Governor Murphy.

The Ongoing Impact of the Safe Haven Law

Since its implementation in 2000, nearly 90 infants have been safely surrendered under the act. "This law expands the ‘Safe Haven zone’ from just emergency rooms to the entire hospital, ensuring parents in maternity wards and throughout hospitals have this life-saving option available to them," said Christine Norbut Beyer, Department of Children and Families’ Commissioner.

Bipartisan Support and Public Awareness

The legislation enjoyed bipartisan support, being sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado, Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, Senator Shirley Turner, Assemblywomen Shavonda Sumter and Angela McKnight. Public awareness efforts will continue, informing parents about the lawful and safe options available for infant surrender.

For more information, visit www.njsafehaven.org or call the Safe Haven Hotline at 1-877-839-2339.

Disclaimer: This news article is intended to provide factual information for the benefit of the local community and does not offer any endorsement of the discussed options. It aims to educate and inform residents of Morristown and Morris County about important legislative changes affecting families.