Kansas

An overview of Kansas law, statistics, legislation, and news stories related to Safe Haven Baby Boxes.

Law

• Kansas Stat. 38-2282 (note: not yet updated to include the 2023 Act)

Legislation

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

2023

• HB 2024. Amends the Kansas Safe Haven law to allow an “infant refuge bassinet” (baby box) to be installed at state-approved locations for the anonymous relinquishment of infants up to 60 days of age by a parent with legal custody or a person designated by that parent. Passed. Effective Date: May 4, 2023

Testimony & Letters

• Archive of testimony and attachments
• Adoptee Rights Law Center, written testimony in opposition to HB2024, dated January 20, 2023.
• Bastard Nation, written testimony in opposition to HB2024, House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster CareJanuary 23, 2023. I intended to testify remotely but had technical problems. Similar testimony submitted for Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee hearing March 7, 2023
• Video (1st bill heard)HB2024: 1st Hearing in Child Welfare and Fostercare Committee, January 23, 2023 .
• Video: HB2024 2nd Committee of the Whole hearing and vote, February 21, 2023,
• VIDEO: HB 2024 Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 15 2023, (pending)

News & Commentary

2025

• Salina’s Safe Haven Baby Box, Kansas’ second, receives blessing March 21, Salina Post, March 17, 2025
• Salina becomes 2nd city in Kansas to install Safe Haven Baby Boxes, KWCH-TV, March 21, 2025

2024

• City of Salina needs your help for Safe Haven Baby Box Initiative, KWCH-TV, June 19, 2024
• Hutchinson Fire Department to unveil Safe Haven Baby Box, KAKE-TV, December 2, 2024
• Kansas installs first Safe Haven BabyBox in Hutchinson, KAKE-TV, December 5, 2024
• Another Safe Haven baby box available at fire station in Kansas, JC Post, December 5, 2024
• Kansas installs first Safe Haven Baby Box, Aletia, December 15, 2024

2023

• Kansas bill would allow parents to safely surrender children to Safe Haven Baby Boxes, SmithMountainLaker com /KCTV-TV, January 24, 2023
• Baby bassinets with alarms and locks offered as safe new way of surrendering a child in Kansas, Kansas Reflector, January 24, 2023
• Kansas House passes bill allowing for anonymous surrender of newborns in safety devices, Kansas City Star, February 22, 2023
• Kansas lawmakers approve baby box drop-offs, fostercare bill of rights, Kansas Reflector, April 14 2023
• Kansas governor signs bill establishing more protections for foster care youths, foster families, Kansas Reflector, April 24, 2023
• House Bill 2024 legalizes newborn safety devices, KSNW-TV, June 7, 2023
• McPherson fire department working to install first newborn safety device in state, KAKE-TV, July 20, 2023
• McPherson Fire Department gets enough donations for baby box, KSRT-TV, August 4, 2023
• Hutchinson Fire Department to add two baby boxes, KSN-TV, November 9, 2023
• Hutchinson fire stations raising money to install Hope’s Cradle baby boxes, KAKE-TV, November 9, 2023
• Kansas installs first Safe Haven BabyBox in Hutchinson, KAKE-TV, December 5, 2024

2021

• MFED, city supports creation of “Baby Boxes” in Kansas, McPherson Sentinel, December 20, 2021

Updated April 5, 2025