Bill aims to protect unwanted newborns

CARSON CITY -- A bill introduced in the Senate aims to give mothers who don't want their newborns an alternative to leaving the babies in a trash bin or hiding them in a closet.

Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, sponsored the so-called "Baby Safe Haven" bill, Senate Bill 191, on Friday.

"This provides a way to protect infants," Rawson said.

It allows a mother to drop a baby who is not more than 30 days old at a hospital, medical center, fire station or police station, then leave without giving her name. Such mothers would be protected from prosecution for child abuse or neglect if the baby was not physically harmed.

The bill, Rawson said, comes in response to a situation in a rural county in which a mother abandoned her child, and the district attorney had to prosecute the mother. "This avoids a double tragedy," he said.

The Junior League of Las Vegas has already announced its support of the legislation, citing a recent incident in which the body of a newborn boy was found in a trash bin in Las Vegas among bottles and cans.

"This bill will give Nevada's newborns protection and frightened mothers an option," League President Donna Levy said. She hopes to rally support in Southern Nevada for passage of the bill.

The league said more than 200 newborns were dumped nationwide, 12 of them in Nevada, last year. There were three in Clark County in the past eight months, the league said.

Mothers who leave babies at a safe haven are presumed to have consented to termination of parental rights and given permission for all emergency services and care of the child.

Mothers are not required to provide any background or medical information on their newborns. Unless there is cause to believe the child has been abused, moms are not required to disclose their names and "must be allowed to leave at any time." Authorities would not be allowed to follow them.

Within 24 hours after the child is left at the hospital, medical center or police or fire station, the local agency providing protective services must be notified and the child placed in protective custody.

A judge must hold a hearing within 72 hours to determine if the child should remain in the agency's care. In addition, future hearings on the child's disposition must be advertised in the local newspaper to notify the parents.

The league said this bill could result in a decrease in mortality rates for unwanted children and provide unwanted infants with a chance to be adopted.

Similar programs are already in effect in Alabama, Minnesota and Texas. And there is debate in 15 other states on similar legislation, the league said.

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