Jerry L. O\'Connor, Wisconsin State Representative for 60th District | www.facebook.com
Jerry L. O\'Connor, Wisconsin State Representative for 60th District | www.facebook.com
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 amends the existing safe haven law in Wisconsin, which allows for the legal surrender of a newborn without the parent facing criminal or civil liability, to extend the age of the infant from 72 hours to 30 days. The bill provides that a law enforcement officer, emergency medical services practitioner, or hospital staff member can take custody of a baby who is 30 days old or younger when a parent relinquishes the child without expressing intent to reclaim them. This change aims to offer parents more time to make the difficult decision while still ensuring the safety and welfare of the infant. The bill does not alter the immunity provided to the relinquishing parent or any assisting person under the law.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Rob Hutton (Republican-5th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), Representative Joy L. Goeben (Republican-5th District), and Representative Nate L. Gustafson (Republican-55th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), along with six other co-sponsors.
Jerry L. O'Connor has co-authored or authored another 141 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
O'Conner graduated from Minnesota Bible College in 1973.
O'Conner, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 60th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Robert Brooks.
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.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB237 | 05/02/2025 | The age at which an infant is covered under the safe haven law |
| AB217 | 04/23/2025 | Local government competitive bidding thresholds. (FE) |
| AB214 | 04/23/2025 | Town clerk and treasurer appointments, publication requirements for proposed budget summary and notice of public hearing, and discontinuance of highways. (FE) |
| AB207 | 04/23/2025 | Information provided to voters concerning proposed constitutional amendments and other statewide referenda. (FE) |
| AB203 | 04/23/2025 | Limiting liability relating to traffic control devices for manufacturers and others |
| AB189 | 04/15/2025 | An optional final hearing by affidavit for the dissolution of a marriage |
| AB174 | 04/14/2025 | Transmission facilities; installation of large wind energy, large solar energy, and battery energy storage systems; installation of light-mitigating technology systems; and prioritizing nuclear energy resources. (FE) |
| AB171 | 04/09/2025 | Privacy protections for judicial officers |
| AB170 | 04/09/2025 | Prohibiting the Department of Justice from using the legal services of nongovernmental employees. (FE) |
| AB168 | 04/08/2025 | Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE) |
| AB162 | 04/08/2025 | Workforce metrics. (FE) |
| AB152 | 04/02/2025 | Bid requirement for publication and printing of county board proceedings, notices, and advertisements in counties having a population of 250,000 or more and at least two English newspapers published daily |
| AB90 | 02/28/2025 | Copies of and inspection or disclosure of information contained in certain vital records. (FE) |
| AB58 | 02/24/2025 | Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule |
| AB21 | 02/06/2025 | Technical colleges’ lease of their facilities to others. (FE) |
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