1、1 This report was updated April 8, 2003 by Matthew Shuman, Presidential Management Internon rotation from the Department of Health and Human Services.Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20901Updated April 8, 2003“Safe
2、Haven” for Abandoned Infants:Background on the Issue and State Lawsname redactedSpecialist in Social LegislationDomestic Social Policy DivisionSummaryThe number of infants abandoned by their birth parents in public places appears tohave increased in recent years, prompting legislatures in 42 states
3、to enact newlegislation since 1999. For the most part, these laws are intended to provide a “safehaven” for birth parents to surrender their unharmed children and provide themprotection from liability. Anecdotal reports suggest this issue may be growing in scope,but no comprehensive information is a
4、vailable. The 107th Congress passed thePromoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001 (P.L. 107-33), whichamended the definition of family preservation services to include infant safe havenprograms. Legislation has been introduced in the 108th Congress (S. 342 and H.R. 14)to ensure grantees u
