Committee hears bill to authorize ‘baby boxes’ as safe-haven drop-off locations

Senator Rick Holdcroft (Legislative District 36) told the Health and Human Services Committee that LB214 would add newborn safety devices — commonly called baby boxes — to the list of authorized drop-off locations under Nebraska’s Newborn Safe Haven Act, providing an additional option for parents to surrender newborns without fear of criminal prosecution. "This bill would amend Nebraska's Newborn Safe Haven Act to add newborn safety devices, affectionately referred to as baby boxes, to the list of authorized drop off locations under the Newborn Safe Haven Act," Holdcroft said in his opening.

Proponents said the devices provide anonymity that some parents seek and, they argued, can prevent dangerous abandonments. Jessie Gitros, executive assistant to Monica Kelsey of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, said national data collected by her organization show continued unsafe disposals and strong demand…