Current legislation related to safe haven baby boxes in the United States; updated regularly. Bill descriptions and map are for the 2023-2024 state legislative sessions. Prior legislative sessions are available here.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have enacted Safe Haven laws. The bills below involve proposed amendments to those laws.
US Legislation 2023
Jump to: Arkansas |Indiana | Kansas | Mississippi | Montana | New Jersey | New Mexico | Oklahoma | Tennessee | Virginia
Arkansas
Summary of HB 1098: 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/
Sponsor: Rep. Julie Mayberry and others
Oppose: Bastard Nation, 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 Adoptees. Save Abandoned Babies Foundation, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, National Safe Haven Alliance
Action:
- January 9, 2023: Filed. Read 1st time; rules suspended, read 2nd time and referred to the House Judiciary Committee
- January 19, 2023: Hearing in House Judiciary Committee; Vote DO PASS
- January 24, 2023: House Vote: Passed 98-0-2 (no-vote); Sent to Senate; Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee; 1sat and 2nd reading; Referred to Senate Judiciary Cmmittee
- February 1, 2023: Senate Judiciary Committee meeting scheduled
Indiana
Summary of SB 349: Defines “safe haven infant”. Allows the emergency medical services provider to notify either the department of child services (department) or a licensed child placing agency to take custody of a safe haven infant. Provides distinct procedures for termination of parent-child relationship involving a safe haven infant. Requires the department’s attorney or a licensed child placing agency to file a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship not later than 15 days after taking custody of the safe haven infant. Requires a licensed child placing agency to place the safe haven infant with a preapproved foster care provider. Provides that both parents’ consent to termination of the parent-child relationship is irrevocably implied without further court action if, after at least 28 days, neither parent petitioned the court for custody. Provides that notice is not required for safe haven infants. Prohibits the court from inquiring about the reason for the parents’ absence. Adds safe haven infants to the list of exceptions to required preservation and reunification efforts.
Sponsor: Sen. Travis Holdman
Oppose: Bastard Nation, 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 Adoptees, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now
Actions:
- Janaury 12, 2023: 1st reading; referred to Committee of the Judiciary
- February 1, 2023: Hearing in Committee of the Judiciary. Not heard due to too many problems with it.
Kansas
HB 2024 Summary: 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.
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Child Welfare System Oversight
Oppose: Bastard Nation, 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 Adoptees. Save Abandoned Babies Foundation, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now, National Safe Haven Alliance
Actions:
- January 12, 2023: Introduced; Referred to Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care
- January 23, 2023: Hearing held in Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care. Testimony heard, but no vote taken. See Kansas Page for links to hearing.
- February 1, 2023: Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care recommends favorably out of committee with amendments. (Minor language, and addition of ICWA protections)
Mississippi
HB1318 Summary: Authorizes installation of “newborn safety devices” sponsored by emergency service providers; authorizes any city or county to sponsor a device as long as it meets state law requirements. . Amends state law to provide that any church licensed with the Department of Child Protection Services to receive children under the law be considered an emergency service provider. Increases age that age a baby can be safe havened from 72 hours to 90 days.
Sponsor: Rep. Jill Ford
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation, 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 Adoptees. Save Abandoned Babies Foundation, National Safe Haven Alliance, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now
Actions:
- January 16, 2023: Introduced; Referred to Judiciary Committee A
- January 31, 2023: Reported as Do Pass from Committee
Summary of SB2377: Similar to SB 2386. Provides a clear path to permanency for children in custody of the Department of Child Protection Services. Adds new section to Mississippi Code 1972. Authorizes installation of baby boxes (“newborn safety devices” at emergency medical services provider locations. Increases the age babies can be safe havened from 72 hours to 60 days. Appears to clarify or tighten Safe Haven procedures. Defines “emergency services: “a” licensed hospital, as defined in Section 41-9-3, which operates an emergency department, an adoption agency duly licensed by the Department of Human Services, or fire station or mobile ambulance staffed with full-time firefighters, emergency medical technicians or paramedics. “Emergency medical services provider” does not include the offices, clinics, surgeries or treatment facilities of private physicians or dentists. “Emergency medical services provider” does not include any individual licensed healthcare provider, including physicians, dentists, nurses, physician assistants or other health professionals under this article unless such individual voluntarily assumes responsibility for the custody of the child.
Sponsor: Sen Nicole Boyd
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation, 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 Adoptees. Save Abandoned Babies Foundation, National Safe Haven Alliance, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now
Actions:
- January 16, 2023: Introduced; Referred to Judiciary Committee A
- January 31, 2023: Reported as Do Pass from Committee
Summary of HB2386: Similar to SB 2386. Adds new section to Mississippi Code 1972. Authorizes installation of baby boxes (“newborn safety devices” at emergency medical services provider locations. Increases the age babies can be safe havened from 72 hours to 60 days. Appears to clarify or tighten Safe Haven procedures. Defines “emergency services: “a” licensed hospital, as defined in Section 41-9-3, which operates an emergency department, an adoption agency duly licensed by the Department of Human Services, or fire station or mobile ambulance staffed with full-time firefighters, emergency medical technicians or paramedics. “Emergency medical services provider” does not include the offices, clinics, surgeries or treatment facilities of private physicians or dentists. “Emergency medical services provider” does not include any individual licensed healthcare provider, including physicians, dentists, nurses, physician assistants or other health professionals under this article unless such individual voluntarily assumes responsibility for the custody of the child.
Sponsor: Sen Nicole Boyd
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation, 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 Adoptees. Save Abandoned Babies Foundation, National Safe Haven Alliance, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now
Actions:
- January 16, 2023: Introduced; Referred to Judiciary Committee A
- January 31, 2023: Died in Committee
Montana
HB 200 Summary: Revises the Montana Safe Haven Law to allow a “newborn safety device” (baby box) to be installed at state-approved locations for anonymous relinquishment by a parent. Also allows for a 911 emergency call pick-up by designated service providers.
Sponsor: Rep. Sherry, Essman
Oppose: Bastard Nation, 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 Adoptees. Save Abandoned Babies Foundation, National Safe Haven Alliance, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now
Actions:
- January 6, 2023: Introduced
- January 9, 2023: Referred to House Human Services Committee
- January 13, 2023: 1st hearing
- January 20, 2022: Committee Executive Action: Pass 19-2
- January 27, 2023: Passed House 77-23
- January 30, 2023: Referred to Senate Health, Welfare, and Safety Committee; 1st reading
New Jersey
A 2671 Summary: Back again! Requires newly constructed police stations, fire stations, and hospitals to provide a “newborn safety device.” Allows affirmative defense to prosecution for abandonment if parents leave child in baby box. Carry-over from 2022
Sponsor(s): Assb. Gabriela Mosqauera
Support: Safe Haven Baby Boxes
Oppose: Bastard Nation, 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 Adoptees, Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes
Actions
- February 14, 2022: Introduced; Referred to Assembly Women and Children Committee.
New Mexico
Bill reported ready for filing
Oklahoma
HB 1047 Legislative Page | LegiScan
Summary of HB 1047: Increases the age that an infant can be delivered to a safe haven location or placed in a “newborn safety device” (baby box) at a location from 30 days to 60 days.
Sponsor: Rep. Mark Lawson
Oppose: Bastard Nation, 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 Adoptees. , Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now,
Actions:
- January 11, 2023: Introduced
- February 6, 2023: 1st reading scheduled
Tennessee
Summary of HB 164/SB534: Identical Bills. Requires the Department of Children’s Services to designate an authorized nonprofit licensed child-placing agency to assume physical care, custody, and control of an infant voluntarily left at certain facilities or in a newborn safety device; specifies that a court may waive the six-month waiting period after the filing of an adoption petition if the child was voluntarily left at certain facilities or in a newborn safety device and certain other circumstances have been met.
Sponsor: Rep. Ed Butler, Sen Ferrell Haile
Support:
Oppose: Bastard Nation, 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 Adoptees Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now,
Actions HB164:
- January 13, 2023: Filed for introduction
- January 20, 2023: Introduced
- January 24, 2023: Assigned to Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee #2
Actions SB534
- January 26, 2023: FIled
- January 26, 2023: Introduced; Passed on 1st consideration
- January 31, 2023: Passed 2nd consideration; Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
Virginia
Summary of HB 2291: Establishes protocols for the placement of infants who are left in “newborn safety devices” or who are left with any personnel of a hospital or emergency medical services agency. Among protocols, the bill directs local boards of social services to contact licensed child-placing agencies from a rotating list maintained by the local board to take custody of the infant. The bill also describes the requirements for licensed child-placing agencies to be placed on the rotating list maintained by the local board of social services.
Sponsor: Delegate Emily Brewer
Oppose: Bastard Nation, 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 Adoptees., Stop Safe Haven Baby Boxes Now,
Actions:
- January 15, 2023: Prefiled; referral pending
- January 11, 2023 : Referred to House Courts of Laws Committee
- January 20, 2023: Referred to Courts Subcommittee #2
- January 25, 2023: Hearing scheduled in Courts Subcommittee #2
- January 25, 2023: Subcommittee recommends being laid on the table
Updated on February 1, 2023