Newborn Relinquishment Information for Child Welfare Professionals Safe Haven Safe Haven, also known as “newborn relinquishment,” allows a parent to leave their newborn in a safe place in certain circumstances with certain individuals. 2025 Wisconsin Act 94 went into effect on March 15, 2026, and makes various changes to the Safe Haven law in Wisconsin, including increasing the age for relinquishment from 72 hours to 30 days. Under Wisconsin Statutes § 48.195, a parent can leave their unharmed newborn (under 30 days old) anonymously and without fear of prosecution in a newborn infant safety device as defined in 48.195(1b)(b) or with a: Law enforcement officer Emergency medical services practitioner Hospital staff member If the parent does not indicate that they will be back for their child, this is called “Safe Haven” or “newborn relinquishment.” Birth parents do not have to give their name or address to the professional accepting the newborn unless: The newborn has been the victim of abuse or neglect. The parent is being forced by someone to give up their newborn. The newborn is more than 30 days old. Newborn Relinquishment Process Information Wisconsin Child Protective Services Access & Initial Assessment Standards provides information regarding newborn relinquishment as it relates to the child protective services (CPS) process. Safe Haven: Newborn Relinquishment Programmatic and eWiSACWIS Guidance: provides best practice guidance and answers to frequently asked questions about newborn relinquishment (Safe Haven) for Child Welfare Professionals. Newborn Relinquishment Materials Instructions for Person Accepting Relinquishment of an newborn (DCF-P-PFS4073B) is an instructional publication for the professional accepting the newborn. Instructions for Person Accepting Relinquishment of a Newborn - English Instructions for Person Accepting Relinquishment of a Newborn - Hmong Instructions for Person Accepting Relinquishment of a Newborn - Spanish Newborn Relinquishment and Questionnaire (DCF-P-PFS4073A) is a publication providing an overview of newborn relinquishment for parents. Newborn Relinquishment and Questionnaire - English Newborn Relinquishment and Questionnaire - Hmong Newborn Relinquishment and Questionnaire - Spanish Newborn Relinquishment - Questions About You and the Newborn (DCF-F-CFS2316) is NOT a required form. The questions can be asked if the parent(s) are open to sharing information about the newborn. It will help providers give the best care to the child now and in the future. Newborn Relinquishment - Questions About You and the Newborn - English Newborn Relinquishment - Questions About You and the Newborn - Hmong Newborn Relinquishment - Questions About You and the Newborn - Spanish Safe Haven Information for Parents Safe Haven Brochure Statutes, Standards, Polices Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Rules Wisconsin Children's Code Chapter 48.195 provides information about taking a child into custody through newborn relinquishment. Wisconsin DCF Chapter 39 Relinquishing Custody of a Newborn Child establishes the procedures under which a parent may relinquish a newborn. Standards Wisconsin Child Protective Services Access & Initial Assessment Standards provides information regarding newborn relinquishment as it relates to the child protective services (CPS) process.
