Arkansas

An overview of Arkansas law, statistics, legislation, and news stories related to Safe Haven Baby Boxes in the state.

Law  

• Arkansas Code:  ACA 9,34-202

Legislation

2023

• HB 1089 – Clarifies current Arkansas Safe Haven/Safe Haven Box law. Permits an unstaffed volunteer fire station that has a dual alarm system that will dispatch the nearest first responder affiliated with the fire department to retrieve a child voluntarily delivered to the fire department in the event that all first responders affiliated with the fire department are dispatched for a separate emergency. Passed. Effective Date: February 1,2023

2019  

SB168  – Amends state’s Safe Haven law to authorize use of newborn safety devices at 24/7 staffed law enforcement agencies and fire station, or with medical providers. Service must be located in a visible location inside a hospital.  Signed by Governor: February 18, 2019.  Effective date: February 20, 2019

Hearings/Testimony/Letters 

• Bastard Nation Letter to Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson: Please veto SB168–Baby Box bill, February 19, 2019

Who’s Surprised?

News and Commentary

2024

• Sulphur Rock EAST students champion Safe Haven Baby box for community, White River Now, January 22, 2024
• Arkansas volunteer fire departments can now insall baby boxes, KTHV-TV, February 1, 2024
• Arkansas: Safe Haven Baby Boxes Contradicts It’s Own Facts, SSHBBN, February 3, 2024
• Paragould declares April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, KAIT-TV, April 2, 2024
• Arkansas State Police Foundation Spouses’ Auxiliary Makes Donation to Safe Haven Baby Box, Project White River Now, April 10, 2024
• Little Rock Safe Haven Baby Box to receive public blessing and dedication, KATV-TV, May 14, 2024
• Sheridan City Council: State Rep. Julie Mayberry Pleads for Baby Box, South Arkansas Reckoning, July 3, 2024
• Little Rock unveils 25th Safe Haven Baby Box to aid in curbing infant abandonment, KATV-TV, July 24, 2024
• Sanders promotes grants for baby boxes. OK, but are they necessary? Arkansas Times, August 27, 2024
• Arkansas dedicates $250,000 to creation of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, LiveAction. org, September 2, 2024
• Newport Fire Department to install safe haven baby box, Jonesboro Sun, November 7, 2024
• City Acquires Safe Haven Baby Box, WKAI-TV, December 23, 2024

2023

• Changes proposed to Safe Haven Law, KTLO-AM/FM, January 22, 2023
• An update from the Arkansas House of Representatives, White RIver Now, January 25, 2023
• Siloam Springs baby drop-off is meant for mothers in crisis, KFSM-TV, February 17, 2023
• Searcy considering becoming 10th Arkansas city with Safe Haven Baby Box, Searcy Daily Citizen February 21, 2023
• AudioGirl Ministeries to establish Safe Haven Baby Box, NWA online, February 22 2023
• Anonymous baby box drop-off coming to Magnolia Arkansas for parents looking to give up their infants, KTAL-TV, March 2, 2023
• Safe Haven Baby Box dedication 1:30 p, today Magnolia Reporter, March 9, 2023
• “No shame. No blame No name.” De Queen’s new Safe Havven Baby Box meant to protect surrendered newborns. Texarkana Gazette, March 10, 2023.
• Searcy council approves moving forward with purchase of Safe Haven Baby Box, Searcy Daily Citizen, March 14,2023
• Safe Haven passes through legislature: said to protect mothers. KARK-TV, March 16, 2023
• Baxter Health unveils Safe Haven Baby Box at hospital campus, Mountain Home Observer, April 4, 2023
• Jacksonville Arkansas becomes only the 142nd city in the US to get the Safe Haven Baby Box, Jacksonville Leader, April 29, 2023
• Cabot to add Safe Haven Baby Box at downtown fire station; will be 17th in Arkansas, KARK-TV, May 16, 2023
• Got a baby you don’t want? Shove it in this weird box, Arkansas Times, May 16, 2023
• Arkansas Times Drag Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc, SSHBBN, May 18, 20223
• Safe Haven baby boxes allow safe surrender of infants, Benton Courier, May 23, 2023
• State Successes: Arkansas introduces kits for Safe Haven Baby Boxes, EMSC Pulse, May 31, 2023
• Third baby lands in Benton Safe Haven Baby Box, Arkansas Times, June 1, 2023
• New baby box to be dedicated June 23. Hot Springs Sentinel-Record, June 14. 2023
• Mayflower officials push to add baby box, safe surrender option, KHTV-TV, July 25, 2023
• Siloam Springs “Baby Box” becomes active this weekend, KHBS/KHOC-TV, July 22, 2023
• Siloam Springs Baby Box dedicated at fire station, Siloam Springs Herald-Leader, July 28, 2023
• East End Volunteer Fire Department raising money for baby box, Deltaplex News, August 3, 2023
• Safe Haven Baby Box, Forrest City Times-Herald, September 12, 2023
• Safe Haven Baby Box installed, being tested; training to take place Saturday, dedication Sept 30. Searcy Daily Citizen, September 15,2023
• Searcy Fire Department to open the 20th Safe Haven Baby Box in Arkansas, KARK-TV, September 19, 2023
• Searcy’s Safe Haven Baby Box 168th in nation, called tool for fire department, Searcy Daily Citizen, October 3,2023
• Mayflower Police to host Safe Haven Baby Box session, KATV-TV, October 16, 2023
• Mayflower to bless Safe Haven Baby Box, Log Cabin Democrat, December 4,2023
• 23rd Arkansas Baby Box Blessed in Russellville, River Valley Now, December 6, 2023

2022

• City Council: Water line project enters 2nd phase, new city truck purchased ahead of price hike, MFD baby box drop-off box. Magnolia Reporter, March 1, 2022
• The alternative to the alternative, Baxter Bulletin, July 27, 2022
• City Board approves baby abox for fire station, Hot Springs Sentinel-Record, September 9, 2022
• City officials celebrate opening of newest fire station, Saline Courier, September 13, 2022
• HMH Safe Haven Baby Box to be blessed October 5, Southwest Arkansas Radio, September 29, 2022
• HMH blessings (sic)newest Safe Haven Baby Box in Arkansas, Southwest Arkansas Radio, October 5, 2022
• JAFC, FCFD secure funds for Baby Box, Forrest City News, October 28, 2022

2021

• Safe Haven Billboard Campaign Comes to Searcy in White County, Arkansas Right to Life, January 4, 2021
• Safe Haven Baby Boxes touted by organization, but none in Searcy, Searcy Daily Citizen, January 16, 2021
• Fire department captain aims to offer secure way to surrender babies, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, February 7, 2021
• Safe Haven Baby Box installed at Rogers fire station, KFSM-TV  March 10, 2021
• Safe Haven Baby Box goes live this month, Jonesboro Sun, April 15, 2021
• City to install baby drop-off boxes with help of local organization, El Dorado News, April 24, 2021
• Arkansas’ third Baby Box unveiled at Springdale fire station, KNVA-TV,  April 25, 2021
• Safe Haven billboard campaign comes to Pocahontas in Randolph County, Arkansas Right to Life, May 26, 2021
• Safe Haven Baby Box unveiled in Jonesboro, KAIT-TV, April 26, 2021
• Safe Haven Baby Box to be unveiled July 7, City of Conway.gov, July nd, 2021
• Hannah Pregnancy Center to place Safe Haven Box at EDF station, El Dorado News, July 10, 2021
• Fort Smith to be next home for a Safe Haven Baby Box,  Talk Business & Politics, July 20, 2021
• Fort Smith fire station to accept abandoned infants, NWArkansas.com, August 1, 2021
• 6th Arkansas box unveiled where newborns can be safely surrendered, WKUR-FM, Little Rock, October 10, 2021
• First Safe Haven Baby Box in Fort Smith officially opens, KFSM-TV, October 11, 2021
• Howard Memorial Hospital to install l”Safe Haven Box” to Combat Child Abandonment, Southwest Arkansas Radio, December 1, 2021

2020

• Knights of Columbus Council donates to Safe Haven, Conway Log Cabin Democrat, June 19, 2020
• Safe Haven Billboard Campaign Comes to Franklin and Johnson Counties, Arkansas Right to Life, July 22, 2020
• Safe Haven Billboard Campaign Comes to Cabot in Lonoke County, Arkansas Right to Life, December 3, 2020

2019

• Safe Haven Baby Box legislation passes in committee, Conduit News, January 30, 2019
• Bill to add fire stations to baby-box sites clears Arkansas panel, Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, January 31, 2019
• Arkansas Senate bill expands places people can leave unwanted babies includes baby boxes,  OzarksFirst. com, February 6, 2019
• Mothers can soon anonymously surrender newborn in “Baby Box” at Benton Fire Dept., THV 11-TV,  July 30, 2019
• The Dedication of Arkansas’ FIRST Safe Haven Baby Box, Arkansas Right to Life, September 17, 2019
• State and local leaders dedicate Arkansas’ first Safe Haven Baby Box in Benton, KATV-TV  September 20, 2019
• Safe Haven Baby Boxes being discussed for Region 8, KATV-TV, September 21, 2019

2018

• Right to Life billboard campaign, Arkansas Right to Life, May 30, 2018
• Benton Catholics spearhead Safe Haven Baby Box effort, Arkansas Catholic, October 3, 2018

Updated: December 24, 2024