Bill Would Expand Florida's Surrendered Infant Laws

Current Florida law allows the surrender of newborn infants up to seven days old at EMS stations, hospitals, and fire stations. Even with the existence of this good law, however, illegal abandonment of newborns continue to occur, sometimes leading to the child's death. SB 122 (Baxley)/HB 133 (Harding/Beltran), supported by the FCCB, would authorize the installation of newborn safety devices or "baby boxes" to accept surrendered newborn infants at the same locations where newborns may now be surrendered. The boxes would be installed through an exterior wall, with an access door on the inside of the building. An alarm notifies emergency personnel that someone has placed an infant inside the box. The bill also increases the allowable age of surrender to 30 days. The Senate bill passed its first committee of reference on January 27. The House bill has yet to be scheduled for its first committee hearing.