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Waukesha Times

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Sen. Hutton authors Wisconsin Senate bill to revise safe haven law age limit

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Rob Hutton, Wisconsin State Senator for 5th District | Facebook

Rob Hutton, Wisconsin State Senator for 5th District | Facebook

The new bill authored by State Sen. Rob Hutton seeks to revise Wisconsin’s safe haven law by increasing the allowable age for infant surrender to enhance child safety and parental options, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "the age at which an infant is covered under the safe haven law".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill revises Wisconsin's safe haven law by increasing the maximum age at which an infant can be surrendered under the law from 72 hours to 30 days old. Under the amended statutes, a law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, or hospital staff member may take into custody an infant they reasonably believe to be 30 days old or younger if the infant is relinquished by a parent and the parent does not intend to return for them. The bill maintains immunity from civil or criminal liability for the parent or any assisting person acting in good faith during the child's relinquishment. These changes will apply upon enactment.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Rick Gundrum (Republican-58th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), and Representative Joy L. Goeben (Republican-5th District), along eight other co-sponsors.

Rob Hutton has authored or co-authored another 30 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Hutton graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1990 with a BA.

Hutton, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2023 to represent the state's 5th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Dale Kooyenga.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bills Introduced by Rob Hutton in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB24305/09/2025The age at which an infant is covered under the safe haven law
SB17704/03/2025Standard industrial classification codes for linen supply and industrial launderers and modifying the manufacturing and agriculture tax credit. (FE)
SB15103/21/2025Requests for information from employers about unemployment insurance claims
SB11703/07/2025Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants
SB11603/07/2025Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants
SB11503/07/2025Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE)
SB10503/07/2025Jailers and protective occupation annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE)
SB9803/07/2025Conversion of cooperative associations organized to establish and operate nonprofit plans or programs for health care into service insurance corporations
SB9303/07/2025Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE)
SB9203/07/2025Theft crimes and providing a penalty. (FE)
SB7602/26/2025Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes
SB3802/12/2025Personalized registration plate fees for gold star family special registration plates. (FE)
SB2502/05/2025Court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths

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