Current legislation related to safe haven baby boxes in the United States. Carry-over dates listed when applicable.
Bill descriptions and map are for 2025 state legislative sessions. Prior legislative bill analyses include the 2024 2023 and 2022 sessions. Analysis of traditional Safe Haven legislation (not baby boxes) is here.
NOTE: Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc prides itself in taking “no taxpayer funds” to pay for boxes. This simply is not true. As of January13, ,2025, 4 bills have been submitted for the the establishment of grants to pay for baby boxes in Missouri ($10,000 each, Nebraska (15,000 for installation costs) North Dakota (50,000) and Wyoming ($300,000 total). Grant and other public funding schemes are noted in individual bill summaries.
The baby abandonment box folks starting out the year with a bang. Alaska and Georgia are also expected to put up bills shortly.
INDIANA
HB1099 Summary: Indiana and SHBB Inc arfe at it again. This time to raise the age of babies eligible for safe haven “relinquishment” from 30 to 60 days. The biill also repeals the definition of “abandoned infant” and amends definition of “foster youth.” According to Legislative Services Report the bill could potentially affect the DCS family case manager workload to the extent the policy and procedures for an abandoned infant are different than a safe haven infant. State Appropriations: No. Age Limit: 60 days or less. ICWA Protectinos: No. OBC Access: No/Restrictive. Identifying information taken from OBC available, but no guarantee of OBC release.Disclosure veto.
Sponsor: Rep Dale DeVon (R)
Support: SHBB Inc
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptees United, Adoptee Rights Law Center, Missouri Open, New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition, Equal Access Oklahoma, Oklahoma Original Birth Certificates for All Adult Adoptee, Michigan Adoptee Rights Coalition, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, Saving Our Sisters, National Association of Adoptees, and Parents
Actions:
- January 8, 2025: First reading: referred to Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs
____________
HB1311 Summary: Provides that when the department of child services (department) or a licensed child placing agency takes custody of a child who is voluntarily left with an emergency services provider or in a newborn safety device, the department or licensed child placing agency shall: (1) not later than 72 hours after taking custody of the child, contact each licensed child placing agency in Indiana and request that the licensed child placing agency inform the department of any suitable prospective adoptive parent for the child known to the licensed child placing agency; and (2) collaborate with licensed child placing agencies to identify a prospective adoptive parent for the child. Requires the department to: (1) request that the Indiana department of health conduct one or more searches of the putative child registry on behalf of the child before a petition is filed to terminate parental rights with regard to the child, with at least one request being made not earlier than 30 days after the estimated date of birth of the child; and (2) notify an individual identified as a potential father by the registry search that the individual’s consent to termination of the parent-child relationship will be irrevocably implied if the individual does not file a paternity action with regard to the child. Provides that when considering an out-of-home placement for the child during child in need of services proceedings, if a court, the department, or the licensed child placing agency is unable to locate a suitable and willing relative (or de facto custodian, if applicable) with whom to place the child, the court or the department shall consider placing the child with a prospective adoptive parent before considering any other placement for the child. Requires that a child’s case plan include certain information.
Sponros: Rep Ryan Lauer
Support:
Oppose:
Actions:
MICHIGAN
SB627 Legislative Page Carried Over
SB 627 Summary: Carry-over from 2023. Amends Michigan’s safe haven law to include use of Safe Haven Baby Boxes/newborn safety devices. Box sites must be open 24/7; Department of Health and Human Services required to post location of boxes on its website. Infants will be turned over to private child placing agencies for adoption placement. Information regarding the surrender shall be accessible to child placing agency:
(i) The known date and time of surrender of the newborn.
(ii) The address of the location of surrender of the newborn.
(iii) Name and contact information.
(iv) Family medical information.
(v) Whether or not the information provided may be shared with
the child and prospective adoptive parent.
Age Limt: 3 days or less. State Appropriations: No. ICWA Proections: No. OBC Access: No. Varied restrictions depending on depending DOB. No unresgtraicted access for any group.
SB629 Legislative Page Carried Over
SB 629 is a tie-bar bill linked to SB627. Under Michigan’s legislative process, both bills must pass in order for each to be enacted. SB629 only adds baby boxes to current safe haven law.
Sponsors: Sen. Jon Bumstead, Sen Rick Outman, Sen John Damoose, Sen Mark Huizenga,
Support: Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc.
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptees United, Adoptee Rights Law Center, Missouri Open, New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition, Equal Access Oklahoma, Oklahoma Original Birth Certificates for All Adult Adoptee, Michigan Adoptee Rights Coalition, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, Saving Our Sisters, National Association of Adoptees, and Parents
Actions:
- November 1, 2023: Introduced; Referred to Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary & Public Safety; Reassigned to Committee on Housing and Human Services
HB5407 Legislative Page Carried Over
HB5407 Summary: Amends Michigan’s safe haven law to authorize municipalities to install “baby drop boxes” in fire stations at their own expense. State Funding: No.
Sponsor: Rep William Bruck
Support: Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc.
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptees United, Adoptee Rights Law Center, Missouri Open, New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition, Equal Access Oklahoma, Oklahoma Original Birth Certificates for All Adult Adoptee, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, Saving Our Sisters, National Association of Adoptees, and Parents, Michigan Adoption Rights Coalition
Actions:
- January 23, 2024: Introduced
- January 24, 2024: Referred to House Families, Children, and Seniors Committee
MISSOURI
HB101 Summary: Creates a Safe Place for Newborns Fund which will consist of funds appropriated by the Missouri legislature and gifts and bequests to be used solely for the installation of “newborn safety incubators.” Age Limit: 45 days or less. State Appropriations: State wil match up to $10,000 per baby., No cap found in bill. ICWA Protections: No. OBC Access: Restrictive. Subject to “contract preference form” that acts as a disclosuie veto.
Sponsor: Rep. Jim Murphy (R)
Support: SAfe Haven Baby Boxes Inc
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptees United, Adoptee Rights Law Center, Missouri Open, New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition, Equal Access Oklahoma, Oklahoma Original Birth Certificates for All Adult Adoptee, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, Saving Our Sisters, National Association of Adoptees, and Parents, Michigan Adoption Rights Coalition
Actions:
- December 2, 2024: Prefiled
- Janaury 8, 2025: 1st reading
- January 9, 2025 2nd reading
NEBRASKA
LB 214 Summary: Re-hash of last’s year’s bill that passed but with baby abandonment boxes amended out. Amends the Nebraska Safe Haven law to authorze the use of “newborn safety devices located at fire stations, hospitals staffed 24/7. Authorizes local government entities to fund boxes. Age Limit: 9o days or less. State Appropriations: $15.000 to funds grants for installation of boxes, but no for purchase.Autorizes local government entities to fund boxes. ICWA Protections: No. OBC Access: Restricted; depending on date of birth,but birthparent consent is required. Adoptive parent consent required for those born before July 20, 2002. NOTE: Nebraska\ has unicameral legislature.
Sponsor: Sen RIck Holdcroft
Support: Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Voices for Childen in Nebraska
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptees United, Adoptee Rights Law Center, Missouri Open, New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition, Equal Access Oklahoma, Oklahoma Original Birth Certificates for All Adult Adoptee, Michigan Adoptee Rights Coalition, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, Saving Our Sisters, National Association of Adoptees, and Parents
Actions:
- January 14, 2025: Introduced
- January 16,, 2025: Referred to Health and Human Services Committe
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey A1181 Legislative Page Carried Over
A1181 Summary: This bill has been introduced the last few sessions of the legislature. Amends New Jersey safe haven law to authorize use of “newborn safety devices.” Requires newly constructed police stations, fire stations, and hospitals to provide “newborn safety device.” Eliminates requirement that facility be staffed 24/7 in order to qualify for an affirmative defense so long as the infant is left with with an adult employee or newborn safety device. Age Limit: 30 days or less. State Appropriations: No. ICWA Protections: No. OBC Access. No. Those “surendered” under the state Safe Have law are specifically barred from accesing their OBCs.
Carol Murphy (D)
Support: Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc.
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptees United, Adoptee Rights Law Center, Missouri Open, New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition, Equal Access Oklahoma, Oklahoma Original Birth Certificates for All Adult Adoptee, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, Saving Our Sisters, National Association of Adoptees, and Parents, Michigan Adoption Rights Coalition
Actions:
- January 9, 2024: Introduced; Referred to Assembly Children, Family, and Food Security Committee
NORTH DAK0TA
HB1044 Summary: Amends the North Dakota Safe Haven law to authorze the use of “newborn safety devices located at hospitals or other location as designated by administrative rule adopted by the department. Age Limit: 60 days or less. (Trad SH law 1 year or less.) State Appropriations: $50,000, or so much of the sum as may be necessary, to the department of health and human services for the purpose of purchasing, installing, and testing newborn safety devices, and implementing a public awareness campaign to provide information regarding newborn safety devices to the public, medical providers, law enforcement, and social service agencies, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027. ICWA Protections: Yes: When the baby has known tribal affiliation, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) applies and the affiliated tribe will be notified and may have jurisdiction.f there are no suitable or willing relatives to adopt the baby, the social service agency will look for another permanent family. OBC Access: No/Restrictive. Avbailable to adoptee by court ; order; release of identifying information through agencies by mutual consent
Sponsor: Rep Dawson Holle (R)
Support: Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptees United, Adoptee Rights Law Center, Missouri Open, New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition, Equal Access Oklahoma, Oklahoma Original Birth Certificates for All Adult Adoptee, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, Saving Our Sisters, National Association of Adoptees, and Parents, Michigan Adoption Rights Coalition
Actions:
- January 10 2025: Introduced; 1st reading in House; Referred to House Human Services Committee
- January 21, 2025: Hearing scheduled in House Human Services Committee
OREGON
HB2901 Summary: Amends the Oregon Safe Haven law to authorze the use of “newborn safety devices located at hospitals, doctor’s offices, birthing clinic, police stations, and fire station staffed 24/7 an agent, employee, physician, or other medical professional. Age Limit: 60 days or younger. IState Appropriations: No. ICWA: Protections: unknown (checking on it. ) OBC Access: Yes, with no restrictions or conditions.Also most court files are available to adoptee upon request.
Sponsor: Rep E. Werner Reschke,R) Rep Emily McIntire (R), Rep Bobby Levy (R), Rep Jami Cate (R)
Support: Safe Haven Baby B oxes Inc
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptees United, Adoptee Rights Law Center, Missouri Open, New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition, Equal Access Oklahoma, Oklahoma Original Birth Certificates for All Adult Adoptee, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, Saving Our Sisters, National Association of Adoptees, and Parents, Michigan Adoption Rights Coalition
Actions:
- ND: Pre-file
- January 13, 2025: 1st reading in House; Referred to Speake’s Desk
- January 17, 2025: Referred to House Early Children and Human Services Committee
SOUTH CAROLINA
HB3113 Summary: Amends the South Carolina Safe Haven law to authorze the use of “newborn safety devices located at fire stations, hospitals, law enforcement agencies. Adds 911 option ro call for anonymous pick-up. Age Limit: 60 days or less. State Appropriation: No. ICWA Protecations: No. OBC Access: Restgricted. Court order only.
Sponsor: Rep Chandra Dillard (D)
Support: Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptees United, Adoptee Rights Law Center, Missouri Open, New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition, Equal Access Oklahoma, Oklahoma Original Birth Certificates for All Adult Adoptee, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, Saving Our Sisters, National Association of Adoptees, and Parents, Michigan Adoption Rights Coalition
Actions:
- December 5, 2024: Prefiled; Referred to Committee on Judiciary
- January 15, 2025: Introduced, 1st Reading; Referred to House Committee on Judiciary
SOUTH DAKOTA
HB1044 Summary: Amends South Dakota’s Safe Haven Law to authorize the installation of “newborn safety devices” located at emergency services providers or a licensed child placement agencies staffed 24/7. Age Limit: 60 days old of less. Government Appropriations: No. ICWA Protections: Yes, “when applicatle. OBC Access: Yes with no exceptions or conditions.
Sponsor: Bethany Soye (R)
Support: Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptees United, Adoptee Rights Law Center, Missouri Open, New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition, Equal Access Oklahoma, Oklahoma Original Birth Certificates for All Adult Adoptee, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, Saving Our Sisters, National Association of Adoptees, and Parents, Michigan Adoption Rights Coalition
Actions:
- January 10, 2025: Introduced
- January 14, 2025: 1st reading; Referred to Committee on Judiciary
UTAH
SB57 Summary: Permits certain facilities to utilize “newborn safety device to facilitate a safe haven “relinqujishnment;” modifies locations for SH drop-offs. ( 24/7 fire stations, hospitals, fire stations,law enforcement facilities, and medical service providers. Age Limit: 30 days or less. State Appropriations: No. ICWA Protections: No. OBC Access: No/Restrictivce. With good caused only. Those born on or after January 1, 1996 can receive copy with birthparent written consent.
Sponsor: Sen David P Hinkins (R)
Support: SHBB Inc
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptees United, Adoptee Rights Law Center, Missouri Open, New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition, Equal Access Oklahoma, Oklahoma Original Birth Certificates for All Adult Adoptee, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, Saving Our Sisters, National Association of Adoptees, and Parents, Michigan Adoption Rights Coalition
Actions:
- January 2, 3025: Prefile.
- January 14, 2025: Received in Senate; Waiting for introduction
WYOMING
- Fiscal Note – This bil is even worse than it sounds,.
HB78 Summary: The department of family services shall establish and administer a grant program of $300,000 for the purpose of providing grants for safe haven providers to purchase newborn safety devices. The safe haven providers that receive grants under this act shall manage the newborn safety devices. Each safe haven provider shall receive not more than one (1) grant and one (1) newborn safety device Appropriation shall be for the period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026. Legislature adjourns March 8, 2025. Age Limit: 60 days or more. State Appropriation: $300m,000–possibly more. ICWA Protections: Yes. The safe haven providerhall, after informing the parent or the parent’s designee that no information is required to be given, ask the parent or the parent’s designee whether the child has any tribal affiliation or Native American ancestry, and request relevant information to determine the child’s tribe. The safe haven provider shall not require that any information be given or the person relinquishing express an intent for return of the child. OBC Access: Restricted. Court only order
From the Fiscal Note: The DFS assumes the demand for these devices may exceed the appropriation,
estimating there are approximately 152 potential safe haven sites across Wyoming
and newborn safety devices cost an estimated $15,000 with up to $7,000 in additional
expenses, for initial costs of $22,000 per device. The DFS indicates an annual
upkeep cost of $500 per device. The DFS estimates the appropriation would fund
approximately 13 devices, if each device costs $22,000, totaling $286,000.
Sponsor: Rep.Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (R)
Support: SHBB Inc, Wyoming Freedom Caucus
Oppose: Bastard Nation, Adoptees United, Adoptee Rights Law Center, Missouri Open, New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition, Equal Access Oklahoma, Oklahoma Original Birth Certificates for All Adult Adoptee, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, Saving Our Sisters, National Association of Adoptees, and Parents, Michigan Adoption Rights Coalition
Actions:
- January 2, 2025: Pre-filed. Received for introduction