An overview of Nebraska law, statistics, legislation, and news stories related to Safe Haven Baby Boxes in the state.
Law
- No law authorizing installation of baby boxes
Legislation
2024
- LB876 – Amends Nebraska’s safe haven law to include use of Safe Haven Baby Boxes/newborn safety devices by biological (parents) or their authorized agent. Extends age of baby to 90 days. (1) Subject to available funding the state Department of Health and Human Services shall award grants to be used for the installation of a newborn safety device, but not for the purchase or ongoing operation of a box, unless the lack of funding jeopardizes the use of an installed box. The legislature will set aside $15,000 for this. (2) $50,000 will be appropriated for HHS for FY 2024-25 and $10,000 each year thereafter, to develop, implement, and maintain a public information program to inform the general public about the SH law.
Hearings/Testimony/Letters
- Nebraska LB876: Bastard Nation, SSHBBN Letter of Opposition to Judiciary Committee, Bastard Nation/SSHBBN, February 7, 2024
News and Commentary
Read Children of the Corn: Reporting, Theory,and Opinion on Legalized Child Dumping in Nebraska. An extensive blog and daily accounting that documents the chaos that ensued when the Nebraska legislature passed a law to allow parents to safe haven their children up to the age of 18.(Photo: Feyza Yildrim)
2024
- Nebraska lawmakers propose changes in state’s Safe Haven Law, WOWT-TV, January 3,l 2024
- Bellevue woman advocates for change in Nebraska safe haven law, KETV-TV, January 29, 2024
- Safe haven expansion considered, Unicameral Update, February 7, 2024
- Nebraska lawmakers advance bill to expand safe haven options for babies, Omaha World-Herald, March 20, 2024
- Facing a filibuster, sponsor of “Newborn Safe Haven” bill agrees to drop use of “baby boxes,” Nebraska Examiner, March 20, 2024
- Anonymous surrender option removed from Newborn Safe Haven Act bill, KETV-TV, March 24 2024
- LB876: The baby box dilemma, Omaha World-Herald, March 30, 2024
- Nebraska Safe Haven Law expansion sent to goveronor’s desk, WOTW-TV, Aprl 11, 2024
- Abandoned baby in Omaha sparks changes to state’s Safe Have Law, WOWT-TV, April 24, 2024 (box related)
Updated: April 24, 2024