Much controversy has been swirling around about the question of protecting babies and limiting abortion. Most recently, however, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that protects infants, expanding the original Safe Haven bill that was previously passed. The current law allows parents to surrender their babies within seven days, no questions asked. Here is a summary of SB790/HB 775, which were passed simultaneously:
- ‘Newborn infant’ is renamed ‘infant’ throughout.
- Parents will be able to anonymously surrender up to 30 days, rather than 7.
- Parents without transportation to a Safe Haven location may call 911 and arrange for an EMS professional to come accept the infant.
- A parent who has just given birth may surrender the child to medical staff at the hospital.
- The definition of which healthcare professionals may accept a surrendered baby at a
hospital has been increased.
When some women are faced with a pregnancy, they may find the potential outcomes traumatic and overwhelming. They may or may not consider abortion, which can be performed in Florida within a six-week window, and they may also struggle with a decision to keep the baby, especially if they must decide within seven days whether to keep the baby or release it for adoption. This new law simplifies parts of that decision-making, by giving more time to those who are facing this decision. The law also simplifies the arrangement of relinquishing the baby to professionals.
Although parents are giving up claims to the baby, they may also reclaim the infant until the court enters a judgment to terminate their parental rights.
For those wondering how serious infant abandonment is, the numbers are concerning:
In Florida, eighteen newborns were surrendered and two were abandoned in 2023, the report said. Police in Hollywood, Florida, arrested and charged two people in March this year after a construction worker found an infant dead in a dumpster in January. Last month, a dead baby was found in a trash can near a University of Tampa dorm.
Nationwide, 4,524 babies were surrendered since 1999, according to the National Safe Haven Alliance 1,610 were abandoned illegally and only 608 of those survived.
There is one other option available to Florida for handling newborns, when parents decline to accept them. They are called Safe Haven Baby Boxes. This option is more costly, running about $20,000, with a $500 annual service fee. These boxes have not been approved by the state, so the cities that install them are responsible for paying the costs. To date, only two boxes have been installed, in Ocala and Newberry, and two others have been approved for installation by Crestview City Council and the Manatee County commissioners, both at local fire stations. They simply increase the options for parents who feel they are not able to care for their babies.
Convention of States
At COS, we want our citizens to be fully informed about the most current legislation, particularly when it is related to children. On this November's ballot is a proposed state constitution amendment titled "To Limit Government Interference with Abortion." We work to provide citizens with information that goes below the surface. We hope that you will stay abreast of legislation and be prepared to vote your values this fall.
For those who want to support our goals, consider signing the petition below.
