Gov. Heineman Signs Safe Haven Update into Law

(Lincoln, Neb.) At 1:30 p.m. Gov. Dave Heineman signed LB 1 into law. The bill amends Nebraska’s “safe haven” law to apply to babies of up to 30 days old instead of children up to 18.

Safe haven laws are intended to provide young mothers with a safe way to surrender a newborn they feel unable to care for. Parents of babies left at a Nebraska hospital are exempt from prosecution for child abandonment.

The new age limit takes effect Saturday, Nov. 22.