Michigan legislators introduce House Bill 4069 to amend child abandonment laws

A new legislative proposal, Michigan House Bill 4069, aims to strengthen protections for vulnerable children by amending existing laws related to child abandonment. Introduced on February 12, 2025, by a bipartisan group of representatives, the bill seeks to clarify the legal framework surrounding the surrender of newborns and the consequences for parents who abandon their children.

The primary focus of House Bill 4069 is to amend Section 135 of the Michigan Penal Code, which currently penalizes parents who expose their children under the age of six with the intent to injure or abandon them. Under the proposed changes, parents who surrender a newborn—defined as a child not more than 72 hours old—to an emergency service provider or a designated newborn safety device will not face criminal charges, provided there are no allegations of child abuse or neglect. This provision is designed to encourage safe surrenders and reduce the number of infants left in unsafe situations.

The bill also clarifies that mothers surrendering newborns under the Born Alive Infant Protection Act will not be prosecuted under the abandonment statute. This amendment aims to provide a clear legal pathway for parents to safely relinquish their newborns without fear of criminal repercussions, thereby promoting the welfare of infants and addressing the issue of child abandonment in Michigan.

While the bill has garnered support from various lawmakers, it has sparked discussions regarding its implications. Advocates argue that it could significantly reduce the number of abandoned infants and provide a compassionate alternative for parents in crisis. However, some critics express concerns about the potential for misuse of the law, fearing it may inadvertently encourage abandonment rather than safe surrender.

As the bill moves to the Committee on Families and Veterans for further consideration, its proponents emphasize the importance of protecting children and providing parents with safe options. If passed, House Bill 4069 could reshape the landscape of child welfare in Michigan, offering a more supportive framework for families in distress while ensuring the safety of the youngest members of the community. The ongoing discussions surrounding this legislation highlight the delicate balance between protecting children and supporting parents in challenging situations.