The USVI Safe Haven Newborn Protection Act (Act 8798) offers a secure option for individuals who cannot care for newborn children. First responders and medical personnel recently received training for effectively implementing the law, including safely handling abandoned infants.
A press release from the Office of USVI Sen. Angel L. Bolques on Jan. 31 provided the following information about the Act 8798 training programs for individuals in the medical field:
“The Office of Angel L. Bolques Jr., senator at large, has organized, in partnership with the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency, (VITEMA) a territory-wide training initiative to ensure first responders are fully equipped to implement the Safe Haven Newborn Protection Act (Act 8798).
“As the primary sponsor of Act 8798, Sen. Bolques championed this law, enacted in 2023, to establish a safe, legal, and anonymous option for parents in crisis. The law aligns with national Safe Haven standards and provides a secure alternative for parents who cannot care for their newborns. Under this legislation, parents can legally and safely relinquish newborns at hospitals, fire stations, police stations, or emergency medical facilities without fear of prosecution. Infants receive immediate medical care and protection under the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, ensuring their safety and well-being.
“The Office of Senator at Large Angel L. Bolques has taken the lead in inviting, organizing, and helping to provide this critical training to first responders across the territory. Through this partnership with the National Safe Haven Alliance (NSHA) [a non-profit group focused on protecting abandoned newborns] and VITEMA, first responders will receive the necessary training, knowledge, and protocols to effectively implement the Safe Haven Newborn Protection Act and ensure the safety of vulnerable newborns.”
The press release from the Bolques’ office went on to explain that training for first responders was scheduled to occur on both St. Thomas and St. Croix between Feb. 13 through Feb. 15. Members of the NSHA planned to provide information to the public during Agfrifest on St. Croix this weekend:
“At the invitation of Senator at Large Angel L. Bolques Jr., the NSHA delegation will travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands and have the opportunity to experience the rich cultural traditions of the U.S. Virgin Islands while engaging with the community. As part of their visit, Sen. Bolques requested that the delegation attend and participate in the Agricultural Fair on St. Croix, where they will connect with the public, distribute educational materials, and provide essential information about the Safe Haven Initiative. This outreach effort will help raise awareness, encourage community involvement, and ensure every resident understands their rights and responsibilities under the law.”
According to information on the NSHA website, the non-profit group has been helping to provide services for parents and newborns for over 20 years:
“NSHA is an IRS recognized 501(c) (3) organization that was launched in 2004 with a mission to provide oversight and support to all states and territories to prevent infant abandonment across the country. For more than 20 years, NSHA has been the leading national Safe Haven advocacy organization and has supported more than 4,000 mothers with Safe Haven relinquishment.”
Sen. Angel L. Bolques’ Perspective
The Source connected with Sen. Bolques to obtain more information about his involvement with Act 8798 and its benefit to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“As the primary sponsor of Act 8798, I was driven by a deep sense of responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of our territory,” Bolques said. “Too often, individuals [who are] facing overwhelming circumstances make choices out of fear and desperation,” Bolques said. “This law provides a compassionate alternative, ensuring that no child is abandoned in an unsafe situation,” he continued.
“To bring this law to life, my office worked extensively with child welfare experts, first responders, and legal professionals to craft legislation that reflects best practices nationwide while addressing the unique needs of the U.S. Virgin Islands,” Bolques explained. “We engaged in discussions with stakeholders, including the VI Justice Department, the VI Human Services Department, the VI Health Department, Nana Baby Home, and the NSHA and studied similar laws in other jurisdictions to ensure the best possible outcomes for both parents and infants,” he added.
“Every child deserves a chance at life in a safe, loving environment,” Bolques stated. “This legislation ensures that parents in distress have a way to make the best decision for their child without fear, judgment, or legal repercussions,” he noted.
Training and Information to Effectively Implement Act 8798
Bolques expressed enthusiasm about the visit from the NSHA to the U.S. Virgin Islands and provided additional details about the training provided to medical professionals.
“The visit by the NSHA represents a significant moment for implementing Act 8798,” Bolques declared. “During [the organization’s] time in the territory, NSHA experts will be working alongside local agencies, including VITEMA and the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services, to [provide specialized training for first responders and medical personnel, including learning the] proper procedures for accepting surrendered newborns, [training on how to offer] immediate medical care and safe custody transfer, [information about the] legal responsibilities and protections under Act 8798, [education on] trauma-informed approaches for distressed parents, and more,” Bolques said.
“I am particularly excited about collaborating directly with NSHA during this visit,” Bolques stated. “The expertise [of the individuals with NSHA] will be invaluable in creating a well-coordinated support system that enhances our capacity to provide safe and caring environments for infants,” he continued.
“[The] partnership with VITEMA is [also] important, as it integrates their expertise in emergency management with our goals for child safety, ensuring that our emergency response protocols align seamlessly with the provisions of our Safe Haven law,” Bolques explained. “I look forward to actively participating in the discussions and training sessions, which will contribute to a stronger, more resilient support system for [the] territory’s most vulnerable [individuals],” he noted.
Members of the NSHA also shared their excitement about the training programs with the Source. Heather Burner, executive director of the NSHA, explained the significance of effectively collaborating with officials in the USVI to implement the Safe Haven Newborn Protection Act.
“The work we do is to ensure that every parent experiencing a crisis pregnancy or birth situation and are unable to care for their baby is given the resources and opportunity to create a safe plan for their baby,” Burner said.
“We are excited to provide safe and supportive options for parents that may need this help [in the U.S. Virgin Islands] and for the providers that will be frontline in the critical support for these families,” Burner stated.
“We want to be sure that the public hears the information about this important and lifesaving law,” Burner explained. “[Act 8798] is about supporting the most vulnerable in our population by offering safe options to prevent infant abandonment and encourage outreach for families that may need extra care and support,” Burner continued.
Individuals can find more information about the National Safe Haven Alliance on the organization’s official website.
