House adopts 'safe haven' bill in waning hours of session

BOSTON—Parents who leave unwanted newborns in specifically designated “safe havens” would escape prosecution under a bill approved by the House on Tuesday after a fierce philosophical debate.

Supporters said the legislation, which 41 other states have adopted, would save infants’ lives by providing a safe, legal alternative to abandonment.

“Instead of leaving that baby at an airport or on the train track, here’s a responsible thing for them to do,” said Rep. Barry Finegold, D-Andover, one of the bill’s sponsors. “We are advocating responsibility by having young mothers do the right thing.” Opponents argued that the bill would do the opposite.

“It is the commonwealth actively saying the abandonment of children is OK,” said Rep. Francis Marini, R-Hanson, the House minority leader. “This makes the commonwealth complicit in the abandonment of children.”

The bill, approved 143-10, would allow parents to leave unharmed newborns at a police department, hospital emergency room, or 24-hour fire department within 30 days of birth without fear of prosecution.

In response to concerns, the legislation will expire in 2007 unless lawmakers re-approve it.

The legislation still must receive final approval from the Senate before the end of the legislative session Wednesday at midnight. It would then go to the governor’s desk.

In other action Tuesday:

– The House agreed to the Senate version of a bilingual education bill designed to give schools a range of options for teaching English to non-native speakers.

The bill is an attempt to deflate support for a question on the November ballot that would replace the current bilingual education system with a one-year English “immersion” program.

– The Senate signed on to a hotly contested bill that would add New Bedford and Barnstable representatives to the board of the Steamship Authority, which provides ferry service to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

New Bedford officials have long argued that they deserve representation on the board, which has begun using the port as a way to divert freight and passenger traffic from crowded Cape Cod roads. Island leaders had resisted the idea.

– The Senate gave final approval to a bill extending the statute of limitations for filing workplace discrimination and sexual harassment complaints against an employer from six months to 300 days, in line with federal regulations.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Cheryl Jacques, D-Needham, was prompted by three Supreme Judicial Court decisions denying legal remedy to alleged victims of workplace sexual harassment because they did not file their claims within six months.

– The Senate approved legislation setting fines of up to $50,000 and jail terms from 3-20 years for individuals who make threats of terrorism or cause the evacuation or serious disruption of a school, transportation center, or other public places.

– The Senate approved a bill increasing fines and longer prison terms for people convicted of corporate fraud. The statute also prohibits companies from restricting the sale of stock by employees if it’s part of their compensation or retirement plan.



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