Michigan | Stop Baby Boxes Now!

Overview of Michigan law, statistics, legislation, and news stories related to Safe Haven Baby Boxes in the state.

Law

No law has been enacted to authorize installation of baby boxes in Michigan.
Bill was passed in 2018 but was vetoed by Governor Rick Snyder
Veto letter

Legislation

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

2025

HB 4067: Same as previous Senate bill except this session introduced in the House. Amends Michigan safe haven law authorizes baby abandonment boxes; include box specs box site: requires sites to 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.

HB6069: Same as previous Senae bill except this session introduced in the House, This is a tie-bar bill linked to HB 4067. Under Michigan’s legislative process, both bills must pass in order for each to be enacted. Bill only adds baby boxes to current safe haven law.

HB4068 : Requires funeral director or agent that assumes custody of a “dead body” of an infant who “survived an attempted abortion” or was placed in a baby abandonment box and later died, to report the death as any other death is reported

2024

2023 bills carried over to 2024. No action. Sine die

2023

SB627: Amends state safe haven law to include use of “newborn safety devices. Box sites must be open 24/7; Dept. of Health and Human Service. 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.

SB 629 introduced at the same time only adds baby boxes to the current safe haven law.

Hayes Township Resolution in support SHBB installation passed, June 16, 2023 (Home Rule)

2022 (all filed late in 2021 session)

SB0708. Authorizes use of “newborn safety devices” in Safe Haven surrenders. Pending
SB0709. Extends state laws regarding deaths to include death of an infant born alive and surrended under “safety device law.” Deceased infant shall be listed as “Baby Doe” and no information that would directly ID infant or parents will be reported. Pending.
SB0710. Modifies definition of newborn and allows surrender by baby box. Pending
SB0711.Authorizes use of baby box to be used in Safe Haven surrenders; extends age of legal surrender from 72 hours to 10 days. Pending

2020

HB4524 HB 4526 Sine Die

2019

HB4524 HB4526 – Authorizes use of newborn safety device at hospitals. Held over to 2020

Monica Kelsey, Founder and CEO of SHBB Inc commenting on Gov. Rick Snyder’s veto of HB5750/5751, Facebook, “Tumber Tuesday,” June 13, 2023 : “total douche.” (49:42)

However, I do not believe it is appropriate to allow for parents to surrender a baby by simply depositing the baby into a device ,l rather than physically handing the baby to a uniformed police, fire or hospital employee. Gov. Rick Snyder, Veto Letter, December 27,l2018