After a child born in a Nevada prison was found in a harmful situation in Wisconsin, Gov. Jim Gibbons has signed legislation Friday that further protects the welfare of children born to inmates.

According to the new legislation, social workers from the Department of Health and Human Services must coordinate child placements with the family of the inmate. Once a family member is found, the Department of Corrections is to run a background investigation on the relative to ensure the child will be safe.

"While still respecting the rights of the mother, we need to ensure that infants born to our inmates are placed in safe environments," Gibbons said in his statement. "These regulations will help accomplish that while also mandating better record keeping and improved coordination between state agencies and local governments."

If the potential guardian is deemed inappropriate following these investigations, officials from DCFS will work with local government officials to place the infant in a safe environment.

"In the past, our department has essentially coordinated the release of any infant born in our system from the mother to the guardian of her choosing,” Department of Corrections Director Howard Skolnick said. "This process will ensure that the child is being released into a safe home."

Questions about the protection of children born in prisons arose when a woman was arrested in Wisconsin on drug charges and had a child with her she alleged she received through the Nevada Department of Corrections. DNA evidence to verify this claim is still pending.

State officials said that in 2006 and 2007, a total of 55 babies were born to Nevada prison inmates.