West Virginia

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

Law

• West Virg. Stat. § 49-2-401 et seq. (may not yet include the text of the new law)

Legislation

2023

• HB3559 – Poorly written, barebones bill that amends the West Virginia Safe Haven law to allow a “newborn safety device” (baby box) to be installed at state-approved locations for the anonymous relinquishment of infants up to 30 days of age. Enacted, effective June 9, 2023.

2020

• HB4793 – Amends state’s Safe Haven Law to authorize use of newborn safety devices. Sine die.

Hearings/Testimony/Letters

None to date.

News and Commentary

2024

• MFD’s upgraded Norwood Fire Station to be a safe surrender site, Morgantown Dominion Post, January 29, 2024
• Press Release: Opening of Morgantown’s New Safe Have Baby Box Set for April 15, City of Morgantown, April 4, 2024
• Baby Box, ladder truck among new features at Norwood Fire Station, Morgantown Dominion Post, Apri 15, 2024
• Morgantown Baby Box will also serve surrounding counties WBOY-TV, April 16, 2024
• Two women try to bring Safe Haven Baby Box to Cabel County, Huntington Herald-Dispatch, April 20, ,2024
• First “baby box” opened in Wheeling, Wheelng Times Leader , May 2, 2024
• SAFD to host Safe Haven Baby Box dedication, blessing event, Charleston Gazette-Mail, July 22, 2024
• “If we save one child “: St Albans unveils “baby box funded by community, Charles Gazette-Mail, August 13, 2024
• Safe Haven: More “baby boxes” needed in state, Parkersburg News and Sentinel, August 15, 2024

2023

• “Baby Box” locations would debut under West Virginia bill, Tarentum Tribune, February 22. 2023
• West Virginia HB3559 Baby Box Bill Keeps that Train Rollin’ All Night Long, SSHBBN, February 27, 2023
• “Baby Boxes” West Virginia lawmakers should consider this option, Parkersburg News-Sentinel, February 28, 2023
• Safe Haven Baby Boxes are coming to Wheeling – BUT they need your help! WTRF-TV, September 29, 2023
• SAFD seeks to provide Safe Haven Baby Box at Central fire station, West Virginia Gazette, October 24, 2023
• St. Albans consulting firm fully funds Safe Haven Baby Box project at Central Fire Sation, WCST-TV, October 30, 2023
• Local town will have the first Safe Haven Baby Boxes in West Virginia, WTRF-TV, November 6, 2023
• Marshall County Celebrates dual grand openings: New EMS base station and West Virginia’s first Safe Haven Baby Box, MSN/WTOV-TV, November 7, 2023
• Marshall County EMS Station, Safe Haven Baby Box Blessed, Wheeling News-Register, November 8. 2023
• West Virginia University Funds Safe Haven Baby Boxes; Cuts 28 Programs from the Curriculum. SSHBBN, November 8. 2023
• WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital Donates $16K Toward Safe Haven Baby Box Effort, Intelligencer Wheeling News-Register, December 15, 2023
• Wheeling Needs 2 Safe Haven Baby Boxes Because….SSHBBN, December 20, 2023

Updated: September 9, 2024