Stop Baby Boxes Now!

Dangerous, Unethical, Anti-family, Anti-adoptee

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Florida

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

Law

  • No law
  • Florida is a Home Rule State

Florida Statistics

Baby Boxes: 4 (placed without authorizing legislation)
Cases:1

    Legislation

    2023

    • HB899: Amends the Florida Safe Haven law to allow newborn safety devices (baby boxes) to be installed at state-approved locations for the anonymous relinquishment of infants up to 30 days of age (increased from current 3 days). Allows 911 emergency pick-up for traditional SH plans. Allows parents to evoke “safe haven status” (even when their identity is known) after hospital births, (may already be common in practice but not in law), and their names will not appear on the birth certificate. Prohibits criminal investigation of parents who use a traditional SH plan or a baby box except if abuse or neglect is suspected. Requires baby box fire stations to be staffed 24 hours a day, but if the entire station is out on a run and empty, a dual alarm must be in place and dispatch the nearest first responder to that location to retrieve baby. Dead. Sine Die
    • SB870: Companion bill to HBB99. Dead. Sine Die

    2021

    • HB133 – Amends state’s Safe Haven Law to authorize use of newborn safety devices. Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration. Passed House 108-11. Sent to Senate where it failed to be heard. Sine die.
    • SB122 – Companion bill to HB133. SHBB language amended out by sponsor in committee. Final version failed to reach floor. Sine die.

    2020

    • HB1217 – Amends state’s Safe Haven Law to authorize use of newborn safety devices. Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration Sine die.
    • SB 864 – Companion bill to H1217.  Failed to be heard in  Senate Health Policy  Committee by last day of session. Dead. Sine Die

    Florida: Who’s in the Pool? This is who we fight and why we fight.

    Hearings/Testimony/Letters

    Citrus County Florida Board of Commissioners, June 11,2024, Commissioner Diana Finegan and an unnamed witness eloquently protest Safe Haven Baby Box approval. Unfortunately, the measure passed. (See Finegan’s Op-Ed, June 7, 2024, below).


    2021

    2020

    News & Commentary

    2024

    2023

    2021

    2020

    Linda Cummins, right, holds her hand up during prayer with others while blessing the Safe Haven Baby Box Drop Off after it was unveiled at Ocala Fire Station #1 Tuesday afternoon, December 15, 2020 at the new MLK First Responders Campus. The founders of the device, Monica Kelsey and her husband Joe Kelsey were on hand for the unveiling. Monica was a baby of rape and has a passion for the cause. The device was designed for the safe, secure and anonymous surrender of a newborn by a mother in crisis. The SHBB is equipped with cooling and heating features, locking mechanisms and alarm systems that trigger an immediate response through 9-1-1. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2020

     

    Linda Cummins, right, holds her hand up during prayer with others while blessing the Safe Haven Baby Box Drop Off after it was unveiled at Ocala Fire Station #1 Tuesday afternoon, December 15, 2020 at the new MLK First Responders Campus. The founders of the device, Monica Kelsey and her husband Joe Kelsey were on hand for the unveiling. Monica was a baby of rape and has a passion for the cause. The device was designed for the safe, secure and anonymous surrender of a newborn by a mother in crisis. The SHBB is equipped with cooling and heating features, locking mechanisms and alarm systems that trigger an immediate response through 9-1-1. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2020
    DOUG ENGLE, DOUG ENGLE/OCALA STAR BANNER

    Ocala Safe Haven Baby Box Blessing, December 10, 2020

    Special Report: Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc Sues Traditional Florida-based Safe Haven Advocate A Safe Haven for Newborns.

    A Documentary Collection: Safe Haven Baby Boxes v A Safe Place for Newborns. A Scorched Earth Lawsuit

    On January 16, 2024. the baby box company filed suit in Federal Court against the Miami-based traditional safe haven advocacy organization A Safe Haven for Newborns/Gloria Silverio Foundation, its founder and director Nick Silverio, the South Trail Fire Rescue District, and Amy Bollen, its public relations director, accusing them of slander, defamation, and “tortuous interference with contract or business.”…We are therefore dedicating a page to lawsuit coverage. It will include documents, news articles, commentary, and other material related to the case

    Updated: December 16, 2024