Quinn expands 'Safe Havens' limit to 30 days

[August 13, 2009]  CHICAGO -- A new Illinois law gives parents up to 30 days after their child is born to drop the baby off at a hospital, a fire station or a police department without penalty.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed the law Wednesday during an appearance on FOX Chicago.

Illinois' old law gave parents up to seven days to leave a child at a Safe Haven location.

Quinn says he hopes the expanded law will encourage parents who don't want to keep a child to bring the baby to a safe place, rather than just abandoning it.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.