147 infants surrendered in Tennessee since 2001
NASHVILLE, Tenn. State Rep. Ed Butler, R-Rickman, has passed legislation to expand Tennessee’s Safe Haven Law by increasing the number of safe surrender locations and strengthening newborn safety protections across the state. Safe Haven protections allow mothers to surrender unharmed newborns at designated facilities within 45 days of birth without fear of prosecution.
House Bill 1844 builds upon current Tennessee law by adding ambulance stations to the list of approved facilities where a newborn may be safely surrendered without criminal liability. The legislation also clarifies staffing and monitoring requirements for Safe Haven facilities by formally codifying safety practices already widely in place. The bill revises statutory language to ensure facilities maintain continuous scheduled staffing while also accounting for instances when emergency personnel may be temporarily away responding to calls.
“Tennessee’s Safe Haven Law exists to protect vulnerable newborns and provide mothers facing unimaginable circumstances with a safe, compassionate option,” said Butler. “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.”
Tennessee law permits infants to be surrendered without penalty at approved facilities, including hospitals, birthing centers, community health clinics, outpatient walk-in clinics, fire departments, law enforcement facilities, emergency communications centers and nursing homes that operate with continuous scheduled staffing. Safe Haven devices are required to be continuously monitored and equipped with an on-site alarm that automatically notifies 911 when activated to ensure immediate emergency response, medical care and Department of Children’s Services notification.
Since Tennessee’s Safe Haven Law took effect in 2001, 147 infants have been safely surrendered across the Volunteer State. Safe Haven locations can be found through the Tennessee Safe Haven Facilities Store Locator.
House Bill 1844 is scheduled to be signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee in the coming days.
Rep. Ed Butler represents District 41, which includes Overton, Morgan, and parts of Anderson, Fentress and Roane counties.
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