Chambers asks for special session
Posted: Monday, October 13, 2008
LINCOLN (AP) -- State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha says he wants Gov. Dave Heineman to call a special session of the Legislature to address flaws in Nebraska's safe haven law.
The law absolves anyone of abandonment charges for leaving a child of any age at a state-licensed hospital. Since July 18, when the law went into effect, 17 children between the ages of 1 and 17 have been abandoned.
Under state law, the governor can order a special session for a specific purpose. If two-thirds or more of senators request a special session, the governor would be required to call one.
Heineman said in a statement that he is hopeful a special session isn't necessary.
Sen. Arnie Stuthman of Platte Center, who sponsored the safe haven bill, said agencies and organizations such as Boys Town and United Way can make headway in addressing the issues of families so they do not feel they have to abandon children.
He said he would not favor a special session.
But Chambers said the Legislature must step in to prevent damage to the children who are being "deserted."
Officials with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services have stressed that the safe-haven law should be used for children in immediate danger only. Some officials are worried that Nebraska's broadly written law could make the state a dumping ground for unwanted children.
Chambers said the special session would be conducted to put an upper age limit on the children who can be abandoned under the law.
"My primary concern is not with inconvenience to the state or any other agency or entity but, rather, with the traumatic experience of adolescents being abandoned," he said in a letter sent Friday to state senators.
Chambers said the law could be discussed without "hasty action."
He said people who are dropping off teenagers at hospitals are only doing what the law allows and that the fault for the law's loophole should be placed on state senators.
Chambers had opposed a safe haven bill for infants initially, but in the last session allowed senators to craft a bill without an age limit, saying he would not stand in the way.
Speaker Mike Flood said reaction to the proposed special session is mixed. He said some senators want a special sessions; others want to resolve the issue in the regular session.
Flood said if he is still the speaker in January, a revised safe haven bill would be LB1 or LB2.
"That's the most I can offer as the speaker," he said.
A Nov. 13 hearing on the safe haven law has been scheduled. The public will be allowed to comment on the use of LB157 by parents and guardians and on possible amendments to the statute.
A special session could cost the state $70,000 to $80,000, said Patrick O
Donnell, clerk of the Legislature. The legislative chamber is undergoing renovation and is closed but could be open the last week in October, he said.
The law absolves anyone of abandonment charges for leaving a child of any age at a state-licensed hospital. Since July 18, when the law went into effect, 17 children between the ages of 1 and 17 have been abandoned.
Under state law, the governor can order a special session for a specific purpose. If two-thirds or more of senators request a special session, the governor would be required to call one.
Heineman said in a statement that he is hopeful a special session isn't necessary.
Sen. Arnie Stuthman of Platte Center, who sponsored the safe haven bill, said agencies and organizations such as Boys Town and United Way can make headway in addressing the issues of families so they do not feel they have to abandon children.
He said he would not favor a special session.
But Chambers said the Legislature must step in to prevent damage to the children who are being "deserted."
Officials with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services have stressed that the safe-haven law should be used for children in immediate danger only. Some officials are worried that Nebraska's broadly written law could make the state a dumping ground for unwanted children.
Chambers said the special session would be conducted to put an upper age limit on the children who can be abandoned under the law.
"My primary concern is not with inconvenience to the state or any other agency or entity but, rather, with the traumatic experience of adolescents being abandoned," he said in a letter sent Friday to state senators.
Chambers said the law could be discussed without "hasty action."
He said people who are dropping off teenagers at hospitals are only doing what the law allows and that the fault for the law's loophole should be placed on state senators.
Chambers had opposed a safe haven bill for infants initially, but in the last session allowed senators to craft a bill without an age limit, saying he would not stand in the way.
Speaker Mike Flood said reaction to the proposed special session is mixed. He said some senators want a special sessions; others want to resolve the issue in the regular session.
Flood said if he is still the speaker in January, a revised safe haven bill would be LB1 or LB2.
"That's the most I can offer as the speaker," he said.
A Nov. 13 hearing on the safe haven law has been scheduled. The public will be allowed to comment on the use of LB157 by parents and guardians and on possible amendments to the statute.
A special session could cost the state $70,000 to $80,000, said Patrick O
Donnell, clerk of the Legislature. The legislative chamber is undergoing renovation and is closed but could be open the last week in October, he said.
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