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Committee adopts amendment to allow 'safe baby box' language in Minnesota safe-haven law; bill laid over
Summary
The House Health Finance and Policy Committee adopted an A1 amendment to House File 1903 to add authority for infant safety devices ("safe baby boxes") as an option under Minnesota's safe-haven statutes and laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
The House Health Finance and Policy Committee on March 17 adopted an A1 amendment to House File 1903 and laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus package. The bill proposes allowing infant safety devices, often called safe baby boxes, to be used as a legally recognized method of surrender under Minnesota's existing safe-haven statutes.
The amendment, adopted by voice vote, cleans up language in current Minnesota surrender/newborn statutes to explicitly cover an infant safety device installed at staffed fire stations or hospitals, the bill’s author said. Representative Bodney, who introduced the bill, said the change would provide a truly anonymous option for parents in crisis and would not require state funding, noting local auxiliaries and nonprofits could fund installations.
Supporters told the committee the devices are designed to alert emergency services when a baby is placed inside and to preserve anonymity while providing basic intake information. Nicole Hoffman, a board member of the Elk River Fire Foundation, testified the devices include an informational packet that a relinquishing parent can complete anonymously and that a national hotline operated by the National Safe Haven Action Coalition has fielded thousands of calls since 2016. “This bill broadens the scope of Minnesota's law to include the most effective tool in ending infant abandonment,” Hoffman said.
Committee members asked about the scale of abandonment and data on how many safe-haven surrenders occur in Minnesota. Hoffman cited a February 5, 2025, Duluth Police Department report and said the Minnesota Department of Public Safety lists 492 locations as safe-haven drop-offs. Representative Hewitt asked whether the program can capture medical history; Hoffman replied the packet inside the box allows parents to provide as much background as they wish and can be returned anonymously.
Opposition was not recorded during the committee hearing. Representative Bodney said law enforcement and the Department of Public Safety currently list fire departments among safe-haven sites and that the amendment is intended to align statutory language with how communities already document safe-haven options.
The committee laid House File 1903, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. No roll-call vote or recorded tally was taken on the bill’s final disposition at committee; the adoption of the A1 amendment and the motion to lay the bill over were decided by voice vote.
If enacted, the change would add infant safety devices as an authorized form of surrender under Minnesota’s safe-haven statutes; the bill text and adopted amendment will determine implementation details and locations.
Votes at a glance: A1 amendment — adopted by voice vote; Motion to lay HF1903 over as amended — approved by voice vote.
