| ||||||||
| ||||||||
| SENATOR BENSON APPLAUDS EXPANSION OF NEWBORN PROTECTION LAW | ||||||||
(ST. PAUL) - Senator Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake), along with Representative Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), and Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson alerted the public today of an expansion of a law protecting newborns and mothers when a mother makes the decision to relinquish custody of her newborn baby.
Senator Benson was the chief author in the Senate of SF1675, which was signed by Governor Dayton on April 23rd. The law expands the original law enacted in 2000 which allowed a mother to leave a newborn, without any repercussions, only at hospitals within three days of birth of the baby.
The new law allows a mother, or someone acting with her permission, to safely surrender her unharmed infant born within the past seven days to a designated safe place. A safe place includes a hospital, an urgent care facility during its hours of operation, or an ambulance that is dispatched in response to a 911 call.
Senator Benson said, “I chief-authored this legislation because I believe it is a necessary measure to provide options to mothers in crisis. I am grateful for the help of the Department of Human Services, the Sheriff’s Offices, and the Ambulance Association throughout the legislative process. I am hopeful this law will give innocent babies a chance at life.”
“With numerous accounts of babies being found dead in rivers and trash cans, I felt that the previous law did not give a mother sufficient time to deal with her overwhelming emotions if she finds herself in a vulnerable situation after the birth of her child.”
The law is now in effect and authorities are aware of the new safe place designations. The effort now is to let the public know of these changes in a effort to safeguard infants lives and afford women in crisis a safe way out of a difficult situation while protecting the health and safety of the newborn infant.
“As a mother, I understand what a woman goes through post-delivery, especially when she feels she has no options or hope. This law expands the window to seven days and broadens drop off locations. It also allows mothers the additional option of requesting an ambulance to come get the baby without facing the threat of prosecution. The law focuses on doing what is best for babies and their mothers,” concluded Senator Benson.
###
