Show 49: Web Extra - Alaska's Safe Haven Law

Cases of severe postpartum depression are just one of the reasons for Infant Safe Haven laws. Alaska’s Safe Haven law was passed in 2008, one of the last enacted in the country. Under the law, parents can leave infants up to 21 days old at a safe location like a fire station or hospital without fear of being prosecuted. When they leave the infant, they may be asked if they are giving up their child willingly, and terminating parental rights. And they may be asked for identifying information but they’re not required to provide it.

According to the state Department of Health and Social Services, no infants in Alaska have been dropped off under the Safe Haven law. That doesn’t surprise former state representative Gabrielle LeDoux (Kodiak) who sponsored the legislation...

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