Safe-Haven Laws Focus on Abandoned Newborns and Their Mothers

In the United States, 47 states have safe-haven laws that allow a mother to relinquish her newborn infant at a hospital emergency department or a manned fire station and maintain her anonymity. In addition to anonymity, immunity from prosecution is given to the mother, provided the relinquished newborn is unharmed and meets the age specified by the state's law. This article describes safe-haven laws and how they developed, barriers to successful use, nursing implications, and the nurse's role in increasing public awareness and influencing legislative policy.