Protecting newborns is the heart of a proposal

How can a bill specifically designed to protect newborn babies from abandonment and death divide Republicans and Democrats?

Last year partisan politics killed Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles’ Senate Bill 5236, which would have allowed mothers (and fathers) to leave newborn babies at hospitals without facing prosecution for abandonment or family nonsupport. Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, came up with the bill after hearing about a baby boy being found on the side of a street in a Magnolia neighborhood in 2000. And there were certainly many other similar stories both close to home and across the country — babies found at gas stations, babies left at the airport, babies left in front of hospitals, babies dumped in the trash can at a high school prom. The list goes on.

Kohl-Welles is back at it again with the bill and it looks like its chances of survival are much better this time around with the slim Democratic majority. It’s unfortunate the bill is even divided along party lines because it deserves unanimous support from legislators.

Currently, the law allows for a baby to be dropped off at a consenting hospital within 72 hours of birth without fear of parents being prosecuted. Last year a program was started by two Bothell nurses called Safe Place for Newborns to let distressed mothers know they have such an option if they need it. Local hospitals jumped on board the program and Snohomish County Prosecutor Jim Krider offered his approval and support as well.

Given that hospitals and our county’s top prosecutor support the idea, it makes no sense for some legislators to trip up the bill along party lines. Opponents appear to be offering the same excuses as last year — the bill promotes sexual promiscuity.

That’s ridiculous. Young women aren’t going to suddenly become promiscuous because they know they have the option of leaving their newborn at a hospital without being punished. Besides, killing the bill will do nothing to stop promiscuity, either. All it will do is lead some frightened mothers to feel more desperate.

In a recent Associated Press article, Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kelso, expressed his skepticism about the bill’s effectiveness and the message it would send young adults.

"I understand the importance of saving these babies," Orcutt said. "I’m also concerned about maybe putting ideas into young women’s heads that maybe this is OK."

What is the greater issue here? Saving newborns’ lives or the appearance of morality?

It is alarming to think that some of our legislators might be willing to sacrifice these infants in order to avoid looking like they might be condoning sexual behavior among teens and young people.

Saving newborns’ lives is a matter of morality.

There is reason to hope Kohl-Welles’ bill will finally pass this year. But it would be so much more encouraging if it had strong bipartisan support.

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