Iowa

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

Law

• Section 233.1 – 233.6 (baby box provisions effective July 1, 2023)

Legislation

See appropriate Legislative Year page for details on each bill.) 2025 is here; links to other years on that page.

2023

• HF425 – Amends the Iowa Safe Haven law to allow a “newborn safety device” (baby box) to be installed at state-approved Safe Haven locations for the anonymous relinquishment of infants up to 90 days of age. Passed. Effective July 1, 2023

Hearings/Testimony/Letters

• Call to Action HF425, April 24, 2023
• Bastard Nation Letter of Opposition to HF425, April 24, 2023

News &Commentary

Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now blog

2025

• Windsor Heights considers Safe Haven Baby Box, KCII-TV, TV, February 17, 2025
• Breakfast fundraiser in Newton Saturday for Safe Haven Baby Box, KNIA/KRIS-FM, April 11, 2025
• Open Arms Foundation fundraising for state’s third Safe Haven Baby Box, Newton Daily News/Yahoo, May 26, 2025
• Windsor Heights launches fundraiser to bring Safe Haven Baby Box to public safety building, WOI-TV, September 18, 2025
• Press Release: Norwalk Fire Department Dedicates Iowa’s Newest Safe Haven Baby Box, City of Norwalk, October 28, 2025
• Third Safe Haven Baby Box in Iowa opens in Norwalk, KCCI-TV, October 29, 2025
• Iowa Adoptee & Family Coalition Issues Strong Statement Against Safe Haven Baby Boxes, SSHBBN, October 31, 2025Indianola-ia, November 9, 2025
• Safe Haven Baby Box opens in Norwalk, Indianola Independent Advocate, November 9, 2025
• Baby box” opposition surfaces as Iowa adds third site, Indianola Indepndent-Advocate November 9 2025
• Letter to the Editor: Anonymous boxes aren’t the answer for babies , Indianola Independent Advocate, ,November 9, 2025

2024

• Safe Haven Baby Box coming to Savannah, St. Joseph News-Press, October 5, 2024
• Iowa’s second “baby box opens in Des Moines. Here’s how it works, Des Moines Register, October 8, 2024
• Central Iowa has state’s second Safe Haven Baby Box, RadioIowa, October 10, 2024
• The story behind Des Moines’ new Safe Haven Baby Box, Pregnancy Help News, October 30, 2024
• What is Iowa HHS Talking About? HHS Safe Haven Stats Don’t Match HSS Stat Claim. SSHBBN!, December 6, 2024
• Sizeable donation in Norwalk will help make Safe Haven Baby Box a reality, KCCI-TV, December 15, 2024

2023

• A Safe Haven: Fort Dodge to have first “baby box” in Iowa, Fort Dodge Messenger, May 19, 2023
• Governor signs Baby Box” bill, Fort Dodge Messenger June 2, 2023
• Behind the scenes preview of Fort Dodge Safe Haven baby box, WHO-TV, September 27, 2023
• First Safe Haven Baby Box in the state installed in Fort Dodge, KCII-TV, October 10, 2023
• A “blessing” for Fort Dodge, Fort Dodge Messenger, October 15, 2023
• Safe Haven Baby Box is a product of vision, volunteer effort, Fort Dodge Messenger, October 15, 2023

Updated November 111, 2025