Nebraska set to change controversial safe haven law
« Thread Started on Nov 19, 2008, 9:40pm »

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Nebraska set to change controversial safe haven law
Posted: 01:15 PM ET
(CNN) — Nebraska lawmakers, meeting in emergency session this week, are
set to change a controversial safe haven law by sharply limiting the age under
which a child can be dropped off with local authorities.The state Senate voted 41 to 6 Wednesday to scrap the current version of
the law — which has no age limitation — and instead establish a strict 30-day
age limit.

State legislators have expressed concern that, if the law is not changed,
Nebraska’s social services system will be overwhelmed by older children
delivered by parents around the country who find they are unable to provide
proper care.

The legislature — which has only one chamber, the Senate — is expected
to approve final passage of the revision later this week before Nebraska Gov.
Dave Heineman signs it on Friday.

Nebraska’s safe haven law was intended to allow parents to hand over an
infant anonymously to a hospital without being prosecuted.

Of the 35 children who have been dropped off at hospitals since the law
went into effect in September, however, officials say not one has been an
infant.