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Senate clears bill authorizing infant safety devices as an additional safe-surrender option
Summary
House Bill 1044, known as the "baby Gabriel" bill, passed the Senate to authorize the use of newborn safety devices (baby surrender boxes) as an additional option for voluntary safe surrender; sponsor said it does not change existing safe-haven statutes.
The South Dakota Senate passed House Bill 1044 to authorize the use of newborn safety devices (also called infant safety devices or baby surrender boxes) as an additional option under the state's safe-surrender framework.
Senator Grove, speaking on the House bill on the Senate floor, referenced the discovery of an infant in Sioux Falls in August 2024 that prompted constituent concerns about options for parents in crisis. "This bill does not attempt to change our current safe-haven laws, but simply adds one more option for a parent in crisis," Grove said, describing calls to Safe Haven Baby Boxes and testimony that parents wanted anonymous surrender options similar to boxes available in other states.
Grove said several nonprofit groups, including South Dakota Right to Life and nearly 40 local affiliates, offered to help fund infant devices for fire stations or hospitals. She also reported support from health systems including Sanford, Avera and Monument Health for placement of devices in some facilities. The sponsor emphasized the measure is an additional, last-resort option when face-to-face surrender is not possible.
The Senate recorded a unanimous roll-call vote of 35 yeas, 0 nays; the President declared House Bill 1044 passed and the title was deemed correct.
Ending: House Bill 1044 adds infant safety devices to the list of safe-surrender options in South Dakota; implementing agencies and facilities will decide whether to install devices and how to fund them.
