Wisconsin | Stop Baby Boxes Now!

Overview of Wisconsin law, statistics, legislation, and news stories related to Safe Haven Baby Boxes.

Law

SB369/AB369: Passed and signed into law on December 6, 2023. Expands the state’s current Safe Haven law to permit municipalities to install baby boxes at hospitals, fire stations, and law enforcement agency buildings. Law is not yet online.

Wisconsin Statistics

Baby Boxes: 9
Cases: 1

Legislation

See appropriate Legislative Year page for details on each bill.

2026

SB1073: Amends the Wisconsin safe haven law to adds EMS Stations to locations where baby boxes can be installed. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1. Dead

2023

SB369/AB369: Expands the state’s current Safe Haven law to permit municipalities to install baby boxes at hospitals, fire stations, and law enforcement agency buildings.

Hearings/Testimony/Letters

Senate Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families, Collection of Submitted Testimony September 21, 2023

News and Commentary

2026

Wis. Rappids on track to have “baby box” this summer, How you can help, Wisconsin Rappids Tribune, January 16, 2026
Proposal for baby box outside Rhinelander Fire Department made to city council, WJFW, January 27, 2026
City Council hears presentation on Safe Haven Baby Box program, Northwoods Star Journal, February 2, 2026
“Together We Can Save Lives,” Colombian Magazine, January 22, 2026
Antigo Fire Department working to install Safe Haven Baby Box, WSAW-TV , April 16, 2026
Council approves Iron Hodag sculpture. baby box agreementent.,Northwoods Star Journal. Apil 20, 2026
Rhinelander City Council approves installation of a “Safe Haven Baby Box” at Fire Department, WJFW-TV, April 24, 2026
WI Rapids’ Safe Haven Baby Box has been purchased. What happens next?, Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, May 22 ,2026
Baby Box Planned fo City’s West Side Fire Station, Door Country Daily News, June 19 2026
Community rallies behind Safe Haven Baby Box project, Northwoods Star Journal, July 29, 2026
Baby box, new TID on Sturgeon Bay Common Council agenda, Door County Daily News, August 3, 2026
Green County Fall Nationals marks 20 years and $800,000 in donations, WMTV-TV September 12, 2026
Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department to unveil new Safe Haven Baby Box, WSAW-TV, September 18, 2026
Wisconsin Rapids unveils 1st Safe Haven Baby Box in central Wisconsin, 8th in the state, WAOW-TV, September 22, 2026
Safe Haven Baby Box ready to protect newborns in Wisconsin Rapids,,Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune/ Sports Book Wire, September 23, 2026
Manitowoc County Baby Box To Be Blessed Later This Month, Seehaffer News. October 7, 2026
Wisconsin firefighters highlight Safe Haven laws as new baby boxes planned for state, WSAW-TV/MSN, October 15, 2026
Safe Haven Baby Box added to Baldwin Area EMS
By WEAU Staff
Published: Oct. 20, 2026 at 5:47 PM CDT|Updated: 20 hours ago
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – A Safe Haven Baby Box was added at Baldwin Area EMS.
According to a press release from Safe Haven Baby Boxes and Baldwin Area EMS, this is the 482^nd Safe Haven Baby Box in the nation and 9^th in Wisconsin, expanding access to safe, anonymous surrender options for mothers in crisis.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes Founder Monica Kelsey shared, “We are the only organization providing complete anonymity and we want these mothers to know we are there for them and their infant before and following a surrender.”
In their press release, they thank Perin Dooley for the passion to start the process and see it through.
Dooley, a critical care paramedic duty supervisor with Baldwin EMS, first saw the idea on social media.
She said it’s an anonymous resource for mothers who feel like they have no other option.
“For our crews too. We’ve gone on some pretty bad calls and any call with a child is not a call that we want to go on. This is at least a positive that we’re able to help somebody who’s in a crisis and be there for the baby and care for the baby,” said Dooley.
Funding was made possible due to the generosity of the Knights of Columbus Hammond Chapter, especially Joe Anderson.
They thank St. Croix Electric for a grant covering the installation cost, Lindus Construction for donating the installation, materials and the ramp needed for compliance and Monicken Electric for the wiring.
Safe Haven Baby Box added to Baldwin Area EMS. WEAU-TV, October 20, 2026