Senator proposes 30-day reclaim window for baby-drop devices amid due-process debate

Senator Hobson offered a substitute amendment to House Bill 1616 that would allow a parent up to 30 days to provide proof (DNA or hospital records) to reclaim a child left in a baby safety device before termination of parental rights becomes final. "My amendment will be 30 days if they haven't come back to take affirmative action to claim the child," Hobson said while asking the committee to work with staff to finalize the wording.

Proponents of maintaining immediate relinquishment pointed to the statutory signage and the anonymous purpose of devices. Gregory Austin of the Attorney General's Office said anonymity and logistics would complicate efforts to restore parental rights, noting DNA testing and administrative steps would be necessary if a parent later came forward. Opponents of automatic termination, including Senator Simmons and DeBarr, argued that existing TPR procedures provide notice and due process and that sudden termination could harm children if fathers or other parents were unaware of the birth.

Hobson withdrew an earlier motion and then moved to lay the bill on the table subject to call to give members time to work on precise language. The committee recessed and will consider the refined amendment and any revised bill language when it reconvenes.