DHHS Internet Website - Children And Family Services

Safe Haven Law     Subscribe to this page

Legislative Bill 157 was introduced in the 2008 Legislative Session.  LB 157 was passed on Final Reading, Feb. 7, 2008, by the vote of 41-1-7.  The full text of LB 157 reads: "No person shall be prosecuted for any crime based solely upon the act of leaving a child in the custody of an employee on duty at a hospital licensed by the State of Nebraska.  The hospital shall promptly contact appropriate authorities to take custody of the child."  LB 157 did not provide an age limit for which a person would drop off a child at a hospital and not be prosecuted.

Community Resources   News Releases     Special Session Information   Additional Documents

Legislative Bill 1 was introduced in the 2008 Special Session of the Legislature.   LB 1 limits the age of a child who a person can drop off at a hospital and not be prosecuted to the age of 30 days or younger.  Forty-three senators voted for the final version of LB 1.  It was signed by Governor Heineman on November 21, 2008.
Community Resources Information, referral, and resources are available in the community to help parents, families, and children.
	Nebraska Family Helpline: A service of Boys Town
	Right Turn: Post adoption/post guardianship services
	Nebraska Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
	The Nebraska Human Services Information Line 211  Reach Out! Get Answers! Call 2-1-1 PSAs
	The Boys Town National Hotline (1-800-448-3000)
	Answers 4 Families
	Additional Resources

News Releases Nebraska Has First Safe Haven Case Under New Law, July 21, 2009 Safe Haven Youth Returning to California, November 26, 2008 27th Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred, November 22, 2008 Governor Heineman Signs Safe Haven Update into Law , November 21, 2008 26th Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred, November 19, 2008 Safe Haven Youth Returning to Florida and Update on 5-Year-Old Left on November 14th, November 14, 2008 25th Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred, November 14, 2008 24th Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred, November 14, 2008 23rd Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred, November 12, 2008 22nd Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred Today, November 10, 2008 Safe Haven Youth Returns to Indiana, November 7, 2008 21st Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred, November 7, 2008 20th Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred Thursday, November 6, 2008 19th Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred Last Evening, November 4, 2008 Two New Instances of Safe Haven Law Brings Total Children Involved to 26, November 3, 2008 16th Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred on October 29, October 30, 2008 Audio Safe Haven Youth Returns to Georgia, October 29, 2008 15th Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred on October 28, October 29, 2008 14th Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred This Evening, October 29, 2008 13th Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred on October 27, October 28, 2008 12th Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred on October 25, October 26, 2008 11th Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred on October 22, October 22, 2008 Safe Haven Youth Returns to Michigan, October 17, 2008 Tenth Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred on Monday, October 13, October 14, 2008 Iowa Youth Returns Home, October 9, 2008 Audio Ninth Instance of Safe Haven Law Occurred on Tuesday, October 7, October 7, 2008 Two Instances of Safe Haven Law on Sunday October 5, October 6, 2008 Audio DHHS Appeals Douglas County Juvenile Court Judge's Order, October 1, 2008 Safe Haven Law Does Not Absolve Parents of Responsibility, September 25, 2008

Special Session Information Matrix of Commonalities of Safe Haven Cases, Updated November 26, 2008 Staff Administrative Memo, November 21, 2008 Considerations for Hospitals, November 21, 2008 LB1 Process/Flowchart, November 21, 2008 Safe Haven Model Policy for Nebraska Hospitals, November 21, 2008 NHA Safe Haven Sign, November 21, 2008 , November 21, 2008 , November 21, 2008 Director Landry's Testimony, November 17, 2008 Matrix of Commonalities of Safe Haven Cases, Updated November 17, 2008 Comparison of Total Nebraska Children, Medicaid Eligibility, and State Wards, Updated November 17, 2008 "Safe Haven" Ages in the United States, November 17, 2008 Letter to State Senators on Safe Haven Cases, November 12, 2008 Matrix of Commonalities of Safe Haven Cases, November 12, 2008 Comparison of Total Nebraska Children, Medicaid Eligibility, and State Wards, November 12, 2008 Governor Heineman Calling Special Session to Update Nebraska’s Safe Haven Law, October 29, 2008 Governor Heineman and Speaker Flood Announce Plans to Amend Safe Haven Law, October 20, 2008 Safe Haven Law Needs Changing: By Governor Dave Heineman, October 7, 2008

Additional Documents "Safe Haven" Ages in the United States, Updated July 22, 2009 List of Cases Under LB 157, Updated November 22, 2008 Letter to Adoptive Parents and Guardians of Former State Wards, October 20, 2008

Documents in PDF format require the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader
which can be downloaded for free from Adobe Systems, Inc.