by Overview of New Mexico law, statistics, legislation, and news stories related to Safe Haven Baby Boxes in the state.
Law
- None
- Legislation Pending
- Espanola installed a SHBB without authorizing state law; other locations will probably follow. (New Mexico is not a Home Rule state)
New Mexico Statistics
Baby Boxes: 1
Cases: 0
Legislation
2022
- SB168 – Authorizes installation of Safe Haven Baby Boxes at Baby Safe Haven locations through the state; $330,000 appropriation from the General Fund to the local government division of the Department of Finance and Administration for expenditure in fiscal years 2022 through 2025 to install “surrender safety devices” at state-owned safe haven sites; ( The Associated Press reported an appropriation of $1 million.) $70,000 allocated for BSH education in schools.
- HB 157 – House companion bill
2021
- HB 18 – Amends state’s Safe Haven Law to authorize use of newborn safety devices at hospitals, fire stations, and law enforcement agencies. Location must be staffed at time of surrender. Specifically states that the law is not intended to abridge rights and obligations under ICWA. Sine Die
2020
- HB190 – Amends state’s Safe Haven Law to authorize use of newborn safety devices at hospitals, fire stations, and law enforcement agencies. Location must be staffed at time of surrender. Specifically states that the law is not intended to abridge rights and obligations under ICWA. Sine Die.
Hearings/Testimony/Letters
Monica Kelsey, founder and CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Inc commenting on raising awareness about Safe Have Baby Boxes in middle and high school curriculums in New Mexico:
When they’re in college somewhere else, they’re going to remember they can take a newborn to a fire station, or a hospital, based on the training they received in high school.
Seriously? Is this a natural progression?
News and Commentary
2023
- New Mexcico Senator reintroduces baby box bill one year after mother throws baby in dumpster, KWES-TV, January 16. 2023
2022
- Espanola approves Safe Haven “Baby Box” days after infant was thrown in dumpster, KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, January 11, 2022
- Safe Haven for Infants Law: New Mexico’s legislatinon to protect newborns, KOB-TV Albuquerque, January 11, 2022
- Sen. Leo Jaramillo and Sen. David Gallegos introduce “Baby Box” legislation, Los Alamos Reporter, Jauary 25, 2022
- Portales council declares city “safe haven.” Eastern New Mexico News, March 19, 2022
- Southern New Mexico City to Install Safe Havven “Baby Box,” Las Cruces Sun-TImes (Associated Press,l July 25, 2022
- Sertoma hears efforts to obtain Safe Haven Baby Box, Roswell Daily Record, September 18. 2022
- Press Release: DFA Local Government Division to provide $10K grants to local governments for Surrender Safety Devices, New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration Local Government Division, October 5 2022
- Carlsbad plans to install baby surrender box with $10K state grant, Carlsbad Current- Argus, October 29, 2011
2021
- Baby Box bill awaits first committee, Rio Grande Sun, February 12, 2021
2020
- Bill calls for Safe Haven “baby boxes” in New Mexico, KOB-TV Albuquerque, February 6, 2020
Updated January 13, 2023
