The Georgia House agreed to the Senate substitute to House Bill 253, a measure that authorizes secure newborn surrender boxes at specified 24/7 sites (police stations, fire stations, hospitals and other designated medical facilities) and sets operational requirements including alarm checks and a required child welfare agency response within six hours.

Representative Clark explained that the language extends earlier safe‑surrender statutory frameworks and allows a “baby box” — a heated, alarmed enclosure that permits anonymous surrender without the parent making direct contact — as an additional safe‑surrender method. She and other supporters cited examples from other states and an instance in Tennessee where such a box had been used successfully.

Floor questions focused on several operational details and policy limits. Representative Cannon asked whether the bill should extend the newborn age threshold from 30 days to 60 days, noting that many states use 60 days as a limit; Clark said the bill keeps 30 days because that had been the prior standard for anonymous surrender in earlier versions of the law but said she was open to future changes.

Other lawmakers asked about location choice and liability. One question raised whether hospitals should be the default safe location (some states favor ERs) rather than a broader set of 24/7 facilities. Clark responded the bill requires designated sites to be 24/7 and defended multiple permitted locations as a means to increase safe‑surrender access.

Representative Cannon and others asked about the inspection and alarm cadence for boxes; Clark explained the statute requires a primary alarm and monthly checks plus twice‑daily physical checks to ensure no infant remains in the unit. Under the substitute, the Department of Family and Child Welfare (referred to in debate as DFAT) or the applicable child welfare agency is required to take custody within six hours of a surrender alarm.

Representative Cameron raised parliamentary inquiries and noted related family‑law concerns raised previously in hearings; the speaker directed constituents to discuss technical family‑law effects with the original author. After debate and questions, the House voted 46–15 to agree to the Senate substitute; the clerk recorded the yeas at 46 and nays at 15.

The transcript records the House’s agreement to the Senate substitute; subsequent enrollment and any implementation regulations or agency guidance were not detailed on the floor.