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New Jersey Safe Haven

Guidelines

New Jersey’s Safe Haven Infant Protection Act allows parents or their representatives to anonymously surrender a newborn baby at any hospital emergency room, police station, fire station, ambulance, first aid, and rescue squads that are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If the baby appears to be 30 days old or less, and free of any abuse or neglect, the baby should be accepted with no questions asked.

Safe Haven Guidelines for Police, Fire Station, Ambulance, First Aid, and Rescue Squads

When a baby is brought to any Safe Haven, personnel should:

Take the Baby
If the baby appears older than 30 days or abused or neglected, handle according to normal police procedures.

• Physical or developmental problems the baby may have
• Parent information, such as race, age and medical history
• Baby’s birthplace and first name
• Any prenatal care provided to birth mother

Additional Safe Haven Guidelines for Hospitals

When a baby is brought to, or delivered in, a hospital, the staff should:

Examine & Admit the Baby
Hospital staff should provide the baby any necessary medical care, including routine tests and treatment for newborns. If the baby appears older than 30 days or abused or neglected, handle according to normal hospital procedures.

• Physical or developmental problems the baby may have
• Parent information, such as race, age, and medical history
• Baby’s birthplace and first name
• Any prenatal care provided to birth mother