DeSantis signs expansion of Florida's "Safe Haven" law

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law last week that expands the window for parents in Florida to surrender infants with no questions asked.

Why it matters: DeSantis' signature, which lands almost a month after the state's six-week abortion ban went into effect, expands an option for parents to legally and safely part with unwanted children.

• It comes soon after police found a newborn dead in a garbage bin at the University of Tampa.

Zoom in: The law goes into effect July 1. It raises the age limit for a parent to surrender an infant from 7 days old to 30 days, and creates new ways for them to do so, like after delivery in a hospital or by calling 911.

• Florida's "Safe Haven" law allows parents to stay anonymous and, as long as the child shows no signs of abuse or neglect, to avoid criminal prosecution.
• Fire stations and emergency rooms also accept unwanted infants. About 380 have been surrendered since 2000, an analysis of the bill said.

Between the lines: The Florida Legislature first enacted its "Safe Haven" law two decades ago, with the aim to curb newborn abandonment at unsafe locations, such as public restrooms.

• All 50 states have similar laws, and about 23 accept infants up to 30 days old, per an analysis of the bill .
• The law attracted bipartisan support. Anti-abortion lawmakers see it as a way to reduce abortions — while pro-abortion rights lawmakers view it as an alternative for women with few other options, Politico writes.

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