Project Safe Haven

In May 2001, a state-wide law under the Utah Code Ann. Sec. § 62A-4a-802 went into effect in Utah allowing birth parents to anonymously give up custody of their newborn child without facing any legal consequences. An unharmed newborn may be turned over to any Utah hospital staff, no questions asked. The purpose of the law is to save newborns from injury or death by providing a safe place for newborns and secrecy for parents. This law was sponsored by current House Representative Patrice Arent while serving in the Senate.

The purpose of this law is to protect the lives of these unwanted infants by providing safe places for relinquishment. The law states that if an infant is left at a hospital, the mother remains anonymous and will not be investigated or criminally prosecuted. The bill is patterned after legislation enacted in other states and countries. Utah was among the first group of states to pass a safe relinquishment law. All U.S. states have passed such laws.

This law provides for infants 72 hours of age or younger, to be left anonymously in specified safe locations- hospitals that are open 24 hours. The State Division of Child and Family Services ("DCFS") assumes "legal custody" of the child as soon as the Division is contacted by the hospital (no more than 24 hours after the hospital's receipt of the child). DCFS then places the child for adoption in an expedited process. Infants have already been saved under this procedure.