Tennessee expands safe haven surrender law

Tennessee lawmakers have passed a law expanding the state's safe haven surrender act. House Bill 1844, which Governor Bill Lee signed into law in May, will now include ambulance stations with 24-hour staffing among the list of approved surrender sites.

Key Takeaways:

• A new Tennessee law adds ambulance stations to the list of approved safe haven surrender sites.

• Parents can also surrender an infant within 45 days of birth at any hospital, fire department, law enforcement agency, emergency communications center, clinic, or some nursing homes with around-the-clock staffing.

• Safe haven surrender laws are designed to help parents in crisis and curtail infant abandonment.

The Details:

The state's current safe haven law allows parents who feel unable to care for their infant to surrender the infant within 45 days of birth at any hospital, fire department, law enforcement agency, emergency communications center, clinic, or even some nursing homes with around-the-clock staffing. Now, ambulance stations with 24-hour staffing will be added to that list.

State Rep. Ed Butler, the bill's sponsor, explained that its purpose is to provide more options for parents in crisis, saying:

“Tennessee’s Safe Haven Law exists to protect vulnerable newborns and provide mothers facing unimaginable circumstances with a safe, compassionate option. By expanding approved surrender locations and strengthening safeguards, this legislation helps ensure no family is left uncertain about where to turn in a moment of crisis.”

Zoom In:

Each state has a safe haven law designed to curtail infant abandonment. As long as the infant is surrendered in an approved location within the state-mandated timeframe and does not show signs of abuse or neglect, the parents will face no charges.

Some states, including Tennessee, also allow anonymous surrender through the use of an infant safety device like those provided by the Safe Haven Baby Box organization. These boxes are typically equipped with a silent alarm; when an infant is placed inside, emergency personnel respond to care for the infant within minutes.

The Bottom Line:

Parents in crisis benefit from a variety of options to help them choose life for their newborn — even if they are unsure of their ability to parent themselves. Safe haven surrender laws are a life-affirming way to help parents choose life rather than resort to abortion or abandonment.