Safe Haven
Hospital chief calls safe haven cases 'gut wrenching'
BY JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star
Monday, Nov 17, 2008
Parents and guardians who brought their children to three Alegent hospitals in the past nine weeks to use the state’s safe haven law were in serious crisis, the leader of the Alegent Health hospitals said Monday.
“They were in absolute meltdown. Their lives were out of control,” said Wayne Sensor, Alegent Health chief executive officer. “They had tried everything.”
Alegent hospitals, including Immanuel Medical Center, Bergan Mercy Medical Center and Midlands Hospital, received 14 of the safe haven dropoffs. Seven more parents or guardians brought children to the hospitals to use the law, but after discussions with hospital social workers or nurses decided to take their children home and seek other help, Sensor said.
Immanuel Administrator Ann Schumacher will testify for the Alegent hospitals at Monday’s hearing on two safe haven bills that were introduced Friday. One (LB1) would change the age limit on safe haven dropoffs to 3 days, the other (LB3) would change it to 1 year, but also includes other provisions for older children.
Senators to begin first-round debate on Safe Haven
BY JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star
Monday, Nov 17, 2008
The Legislature will begin first-round debate Tuesday morning on amending the safe haven law, but with a 30-day age limit instead of the original 3-day limit.
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Monday afternoon heard nearly four hours of testimony —from child welfare experts, hospital officials, parents, a former foster child and a Department of Health and Human Services official — on two bills that would amend the law. Afterward, the committee voted 7-1 to advance the amended version of LB1, introduced by Speaker Mike Flood on behalf of Gov. Dave Heineman.
Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers argued on behalf of sending the original bill to the floor for debate, even though he doesn’t believe in safe haven bills, and doesn’t believe services are attainable for older children.
“The die is cast, the skids are greased,” he said. “You can get in the way of the train if you want to, but you’re not going to stop it. The only train that’s going to make it to the station is LB1.”
The committee expects the bill will be subjected to a number of amendments once it gets to the floor. Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery has already filed an amendment to change the age limit of the safe haven bill to 1 year.
Ashford: HHS should own up to gap in services
By JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star
Sunday, Nov 16, 2008
One important thing needs to be said at Monday’s safe haven public hearing, the chairman of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee said Saturday.
Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford wants to hear officials of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services — an integral agency in the protection of children of all ages in the state — acknowledge the state has a “huge gap” in mental health and behavioral services for children and youth.
“Then we can all start to work together,” Ashford said.
It doesn’t have a lot to do with what Gov. Dave Heineman called the Legislature into special session to do: lower the age limit on the state’s safe haven bill.
But at the same time, it has everything to do with it.
Lawmakers may ask for more than age limit
By NATE JENKINS / The Associated Press
Saturday, Nov 15, 2008
A Nebraska lawmaker with an important role in changing the state’s safe-haven statute says it’s possible the Legislature will be asked to do more than put an age limit in the open-ended law that has led to the abandonment of nearly three dozen children.
Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha said Saturday that the Judiciary Committee, which he chairs, could ask that the scope of the special legislative session now under way be expanded. Instead of just adding an age limit to the law, lawmakers could be asked to act to improve access to mental health services.
“The concern is real about these services not being available to older children,’’ Ashford said after the Legislature met briefly during special session.
The rare special session was called by Gov. Dave Heineman, who ordered lawmakers to only consider putting an age limit in the law.
Safe haven law has unintended consequences
BY JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star
Thursday, Nov 13, 2008
As state senators go into special session Friday to amend the state’s safe haven law, advocates are asking them to think hard about any changes.
Is the proposed 72-hour age limit the right one? Many states have broader age limits.
Should Nebraska follow other states with requirements for publicity of the law? For anonymity of parents?
What about fathers’ rights?
