MADISON — Rep. Todd Novak (Dodgeville) testified before the Assembly Committee on Education on Assembly Bill 560 (AB560), a bill he authored with Wisconsin State Senator Joan Ballweg (Markesan). AB560 would add the teaching of Wisconsin’s Safe Haven laws for health classes in schools.

“I drafted this bill after hearing about the tragedy concerning a newborn baby, Harper, who was found murdered this past winter in Green County. The intention of this bill is to increase awareness of Safe Haven laws for young people who may be experiencing a crisis,” said Novak.

Rep. Novak worked with members of the Green County Abuse Prevention Team and Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen on the bill.   

Wisconsin’s Safe Haven laws allow newborn children to be relinquished to police officers, emergency responders, and hospital workers without legal consequence if the child is less than 72 hours old. Once the child has been relinquished an adoption can be facilitated.

“I especially want to thank Bobbie Thomas, Monroe, representing the Green County Abuse Prevention Team for testifying at the hearing. Her testimony emphasized the critical importance of this bill,” said Novak. 

The bipartisan bill is supported by the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials, the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, the Wisconsin Association of School Personnel Administrators, and the Wisconsin Council for Administrators of Special Services. 

“The bill has a lot of support from Republicans and Democrats. I fully expect it to pass the Assembly and Senate and hopefully it will be signed into law by Governor Evers,” said Novak.

Rep. Novak can be reached at (608) 266-7502 or by email at Rep.Novak@legis.

wisconsin.gov. Additional information on Rep. Novak can be found at his website RepNovak.com.