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Minutes for HB2024 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Expanding legal surrender of an infant to include newborn safety devices.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 13, 2023
Jenna Moyer, Staff Revisor gave an overview of the bill. She took questions from committee members.
Angie Malik spoke in support of HB2024. She shared how Safe Haven Baby Boxes were founded in 2015 by Monica Kelsey, after a trip to South Africa. Safe Haven Baby Boxes provide an anonymous option for parents to safely surrender their infant. Illegal abandonment shows that mothers are seeking to keep their identity secret. The infant will go through a closed adoption and the parents are free from prosecution. The Safe Haven Baby Box is a state of the art device. It is a climate controlled safety device provided for under a state's Safe Haven Law. The installation of the box occurs on the exterior wall of a firehouse or hospital. It features multiple alarms in the device which alert first responders if there has been a baby surrendered.After the infant is placed into the medical bassinet, a silent alarm is triggered to 911 dispatch. A second 911 call is triggered by a sensor in the inside of the box. Within five minutes the infant will be rescued by first responders. Evaluation of the infant occurs including medical examination at the hospital. The initial fees for Safe Haven Baby Boxes range from $11,000-$16,000 depending on installation and location. There is an annual fee of $300 for recertification of the box, maintenance of box and unlimited repairs and parts replacement as a result of a malfunction. Other fees not included in initial fee are estimated at $5,000-7,500 include delivery, installation, electrical and alarm, annual alarm service, transportation and permits. (Attachment 1)
She answered questions from committee members.
Proponent, written only testimony was submitted by:
T.J. Wyssman,City of McPherson Fire Department (Attachment 2)
Tanya Keys, Department of Children and Families (Attachment 3)
Opponent, written only testimony was submitted by:
Gregory Luce, Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC (Attachment 4)
Chairperson Gossage closed the hearing on HB2024.
Chairperson Gossage adjourned the meeting at 9:00 a.m. The next scheduled meeting is March 14, 2023.
