North Carolina

Overview of North Carolina 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 North Carolina.
• North Carolina is a Limited Home Rule State. As of this writing Ashe County and Gates County each installed a SHBB without an amendment to the state’s Safe Haven law. Other towns are considering city ordinances.

Legislation

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

2025

• SB 91: Amends the North Carolina Safe Haven law to authorize installation of baby abandonment boxes located at ERs, fire stations, and law enforcement facilities; specs for boxes, including annual state-inspection of the box. North Carolina is a Home Rule state and 2 boxes are installed there without state law. May 8, 2025: Failed to make cross-over. Carried over to 2026
• HB139 Companion bill. Passed House; sent to Senate

Hearings/Testimony/Letters

None to date.

News & Commentary

2025

• Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc Demands North Carolina Ax Baby Box Authorization Bill. Vested Interests Threatened, SSHBBN, May 6, 2025
• One word may doom Gates County Baby Box, Roanoke-Chowan-News-Herald, May 13, 2025
• North Carolina on Verge of Banning Existing Safe Haven Baby Boxes, SHBB Inc Facebook, June 8, 2025
• NC baby box bill hits snag with organization behind it, WBTV-TV, June 25, 2025
• North Carolina v Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc, SHBBN, June 30, 2025

2023

• Ashe Sheriff’s office creates NC’s first instant surrender drop box, Winston-Salem Journal, February 10, 2023
• Funds raised for Kingston baby box, Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, September 14, 20223
• Safe Surrender! Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, September 19, 2023
• Sylva considers Safe Haven Boxes, Smoky Mountain News, September 20,, 2023
• Sylva leaders pondering a “baby box” site for town, Sylva Herald, September 20, 2023
• Opinion: A measure that could save a child’s life, Smokey Mountain News, September 27, 2023
• Safe Haven Baby Box operational in Gates County, Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, September 29, 2023
• Gates County installs baby box, second in NC, WAVY.com, September 29, 2023

2022

• Board of Commissioners adopt the Right to Life Resolution, approve Safe Haven Baby Box, Ashe Post & Times, January 11, 2022
• Sheriff’s office fundraising for Safe Haven Baby Box, Ashe Post and Times, February 3, 2022
• Baby Box dedication at the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office set for November 29, Ashe Post & Times, November 22, 2022
• A symbol of hope : Safe Haven Baby Box completed at ASCO, Ashe Post &Times, November 30, 2022

Updated June 30, 2025