Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: Introduced 2 R cosponsors

SB 243 — Relating to: the age at which an infant is covered under the safe haven law.

Last action — Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

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  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed Assembly
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced May 09, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Prognosis

Advancing 38% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • Introduced

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 15 sponsors

    1 primary, 14 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

An Act to amend 48.195 (1m) (a) (intro.), 48.355 (2d) (b) 5. and 48.415 (1m) of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

48 added · 52 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended version of Bill SB 243 changes the age limit for infants covered under the safe haven law from 72 hours to 30 days old. This is significant because it allows parents to safely relinquish custody of their infants for a longer period, potentially reducing the number of unsafe abandonments and ensuring that more infants receive the care they need. Additionally, the amendment introduces new requirements for safety devices and provisions for cases involving Indian children, which enhance support and protection for vulnerable populations.

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- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRBa0808/1 EHS:skw SENATE AMENDMENT 1, TO SENATE BILL 243 January 13, 2026 - Offered by SenatUTTON .
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-2839/1 EHS:skw SENATE BILL 243 May 9, 2025 - Introduced by Senators UTTON and C ABRAL-GUEVARA , cosponsored by Representatives GUNDRUM , O'CONNOR , NOVAK , RILL, M AXEY, KREIBICH, PRADO , KITCHENS , WICHGERS , GOEBEN , BEHNKE , GUSTAFSON and K NODL .
At the locations indicated, amend the bill as follows:
Referred to Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families.
1.
A N A CT to amend 48.195 (1m) (a) (intro.), 48.355 (2d) (b) 5.
Page 1, line 2:
and 48.415 (1m) of the statutes;
delete “the age at which an infant is covered under” and substitute “various changes to”.
relating to:
2.
the age at which an infant is covered under the safe haven law.
Page 2, line 7:
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau Under current law, commonly referred to as the “safe haven law,” a child whom a law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, or hospital staff member reasonably believes to be 72 hours old or younger (newborn infant) may be taken into custody under circumstances in which a parent of the newborn infant relinquishes custody of the newborn infant to the law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, or hospital staff member and does not express an intent to return for the newborn infant or in which a parent of the newborn infant leaves the child in a newborn infant safety device installed in a supporting wall of a hospital, fire station, or law enforcement agency.
after that line insert:
Under current law, a parent who relinquishes custody of a child under the safe haven law and any person who assists the parent in that relinquishment are immune from any civil or criminal liability for any good faith act or omission in connection with the relinquishment.
“SECTION 1c.
This bill changes the maximum age at which a newborn infant falls under the safe haven law from 72 hours old to 30 days old.
48.195 (1r) (a) 7.
- 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-2839/1 EHS:skw SENATE BILL 243 SECTION 1 The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
of the statutes is created to read:
S ECTION 1.
48.195 (1r) (a) 7.
48.195 (1m) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
The device displays a quick response code that links to the video recording described under sub.
48.195 (1m) (a) (intro.) In addition to being taken into custody under s.
(7).
48.19, a child whom a law enforcement officer, emergency medical services practitioner, or hospital staff member reasonably believes to be 72 hours 30 days old or younger may be taken into custody under circumstances in which a parent of the child relinquishes custody of the child by any of the following methods and does not express an intent to return for the child:
S ECTION 1g.
S ECTION 2.
48.195 (2) (d) 8.
48.355 (2d) (b) 5.
of the statutes is created to read:
of the statutes is amended to read:
48.195 (2) (d) 8.
48.355 (2d) (b) 5.
In the case of a child who the person has reason to believe is an Indian child, the tribal agent, as defined in s.
That the parent has been found under s.
48.981 (1) (i), of the Indian child’s tribe.
48.13 (2m) to have relinquished custody of the child under s.
- 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRBa0808/1 EHS:skw S ECTION 1k.
48.195 (1m) when the child was 72 hours 30 days old or younger, as evidenced by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction making that finding.
48.195 (3) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 48.195 (3) (a) (intro.) and amended to read:
S ECTION 3.
48.195 (3) (a) (intro.) Subject to par.
48.415 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:
(b), a law enforcement officer, emergency medical services practitioner, or hospital staff member who takes a child into custody under sub.
48.415 (1m) R ELINQUISHMENT.
(1m) (a) 1.
Relinquishment, which shall be established by proving that a court of competent jurisdiction has found under s.
shall make available to the parent who relinquishes custody of the child the a brochure that includes all of the following:
48.13 (2m) that the parent has relinquished custody of the child under s.
1.
48.195 (1m) when the child was 72 hours 30 days old or younger.
The maternal and child health toll-free telephone number maintained by the department under 42 USC 705 (a) (5) (E).
S ECTION 1p.
48.195 (3) (a) 2.
to 5.
of the statutes are created to read:
48.195 (3) (a) 2.
A statement advising the parent of all of the following:
a.
That the parent has the right to remain anonymous.
b.
That the provision of any identifying information is voluntary on the part of the parent, and the choice to not provide that information will not affect the parent’s ability to relinquish the child.
c.
That any identifying information provided by the parent will be treated as confidential.
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3.
An explanation of the steps the parent is required to take if the parent changes his or her mind about relinquishing the child.
4.
An explanation of the importance to the future well-being of a child of knowing information regarding the child’s social and health history.
5.
An explanation of the importance to an Indian child of maintaining a social and cultural connection to the Indian child’s tribe and clan and the potential benefits of tribal enrollment.
- 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRBa0808/1 EHS:skw 6.
A quick response code that links to the video recording described under sub.
(7).
S ECTION 1t.
48.195 (7) of the statutes is created to read:
48.195 (7) B ROCHURE AND VIDEO .
The department shall develop written materials for inclusion in the brochure under sub.
(3) (a) and a video recording of the information under sub.
(3) (a) 1.
to 5.
The department shall consult with the Indian tribes in this state in developing the materials described in sub.
(3) (a) 5.
S ECTION 1x.
48.195 (8) of the statutes is created to read:
48.195 (8) INDIAN CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS .
Section 48.028 and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC 1901 to 1963, apply to any Indian child who is relinquished under this section.”.
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How this bill changes current law

9 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing law to include new requirements and provisions related to the relinquishment of custody of newborns, particularly focusing on the rights of parents and considerations for Indian children.

  • 48.195 (1r)

    The device displays a quick response code that links to the video recording described under sub. (7).

    A new requirement is created for newborn infant safety devices to include a quick response code linked to a video recording.

  • 48.195 (2)

    In the case of a child who the person has reason to believe is an Indian child, the tribal agent, as defined in s. 48.981 (1) (i), of the Indian child’s tribe.

    A new requirement is added to involve the tribal agent when the child may be an Indian child.

  • 48.195 (3) (a)

    Subject to par. (b), a law enforcement officer, emergency medical services practitioner, or hospital staff member who takes a child into custody under sub. (1m) (a) 1. shall make available to the parent who relinquishes custody of the child the a brochure that includes all of the following:

    The section is amended to mandate that relevant professionals provide a brochure to parents relinquishing custody, detailing their rights and important information.

  • 48.195 (3) (a)

    A statement advising the parent of all of the following: That the parent has the right to remain anonymous. That the provision of any identifying information is voluntary on the part of the parent, and the choice to not provide that information will not affect the parent’s ability to relinquish the child. That any identifying information provided by the parent will be treated as confidential.

    New requirements clarify and reinforce the rights of parents regarding anonymity and confidentiality when relinquishing custody.

  • 48.195 (3) (a)

    An explanation of the steps the parent is required to take if the parent changes his or her mind about relinquishing the child.

    Requirements are added to inform parents of their options if they reconsider relinquishing custody.

  • 48.195 (3) (a)

    An explanation of the importance to the future well-being of a child of knowing information regarding the child’s social and health history.

    New information is required to be provided to parents about the significance of social and health history for the child.

  • 48.195 (3) (a)

    An explanation of the importance to an Indian child of maintaining a social and cultural connection to the Indian child’s tribe and clan and the potential benefits of tribal enrollment.

    The bill mandates that information about cultural connections and tribal enrollment benefits be provided to parents of Indian children.

  • 48.195 (7)

    The department shall develop written materials for inclusion in the brochure under sub. (3) (a) and a video recording of the information under sub. (3) (a) 1. to 5. The department shall consult with the Indian tribes in this state in developing the materials described in sub. (3) (a) 5.

    The bill establishes a requirement for the development of written materials and video content, with tribal consultation, to aid parents.

  • 48.195 (8)

    Section 48.028 and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC 1901 to 1963, apply to any Indian child who is relinquished under this section.

    The bill ensures that Indian child welfare laws apply to children relinquished under the amended section.

Action History

  1. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  2. Laid on table

  3. Placed on calendar 2-11-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  4. Available for scheduling

  5. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  6. Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  7. Executive action taken

  8. Public hearing held

  9. Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Hutton

  10. Senator Marklein added as a coauthor

  11. Representative Kurtz added as a cosponsor

  12. Read first time and referred to Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families

  13. Introduced by Senators Hutton and Cabral-Guevara; cosponsored by Representatives Gundrum, O'Connor, Novak, Brill, Maxey, Kreibich, Prado, Kitchens, Wichgers, Goeben, Behnke, Gustafson and Knodl

Sponsors

  • Gundrum · Cosponsor
  • O'Connor · Cosponsor
  • Novak · Cosponsor
  • Brill · Cosponsor
  • Maxey · Cosponsor
  • Kreibich · Cosponsor
  • Prado · Cosponsor
  • Kitchens · Cosponsor
  • Wichgers · Cosponsor
  • Goeben · Cosponsor
  • Behnke · Cosponsor
  • Gustafson · Cosponsor
  • Knodl · Cosponsor
  • Rob Hutton · Primary
  • Rachael Cabral-Guevara · Cosponsor

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 14 co-sponsors · 117 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (14)

  • Gundrum
  • O'Connor
  • Novak
  • Brill
  • Maxey
  • Kreibich
  • Prado
  • Kitchens
  • Wichgers
  • Goeben
  • Behnke
  • Gustafson
  • Knodl
  • Cabral-Guevara, Rachael Republican

Not signed on (117)

117 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 117 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Votes

Subjects

public-safety healthcare
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 243 do?
An Act to amend 48.195 (1m) (a) (intro.), 48.355 (2d) (b) 5. and 48.415 (1m) of the statutes;
Who sponsors SB 243?
SB 243 is sponsored by Gundrum, O'Connor, Novak, Brill, Maxey, Kreibich, Prado, Kitchens, Wichgers, Goeben, Behnke, Gustafson, Knodl, Hutton, Rob (Republican), and Cabral-Guevara, Rachael (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 243?
This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced May 09, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 243?
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