LINCOLN — In a move to push forward the “Newborn Safe Haven Act,” State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue agreed to remove the contentious provision allowing the use of “baby boxes” for newborn surrenders, following a filibuster during the first-round debate on Wednesday.
The bill proposed by Holdcroft aimed to broaden the options for parents in crisis to safely surrender custody of their newborns without facing criminal abandonment charges. Presently, Nebraska law permits such surrenders only at hospitals, resulting in two newborns being surrendered under this provision last year.
Expanding Surrender Locations and Age Limit
Legislative Bill 876 sought to widen the scope of surrender locations to include fire and police stations operating round the clock. Additionally, it proposed an increase in the maximum age of newborns that could be surrendered, extending it from 30 days old to 90 days.
Holdcroft emphasized the bill’s objective to deter the abandonment of newborns in perilous conditions, potentially preventing fatalities. He noted that last year alone, six newborns were abandoned in the state, with a total of approximately 200 cases since 2008.
“We are asking women to carry their babies to term, so what are we doing to help them?” Holdcroft questioned.
Controversy Over Baby Boxes
However, LB 876 faced controversy when discussions turned to the provision allowing drop-off locations to install “baby boxes” — padded, climate-controlled devices permitting anonymous infant surrenders, utilized in 14 other states.
Bellevue Sen. Carol Blood initiated a filibuster against the bill, arguing that baby boxes lacked safety inspections, bypassed necessary counseling for parents, and could inadvertently facilitate concealment from crimes such as rape, incest, or human trafficking.
“Babies aren’t bank deposits. They don’t belong in a box,” Blood remarked, likening the devices to “pizza boxes.” She further raised concerns about potential financial gain for advocates of baby boxes, who stood to profit from their sale.
Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne, head of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, voiced legal concerns regarding the bill and the use of baby boxes. He highlighted the requirement for face-to-face newborn surrenders at hospitals and questioned the implications of allowing surrenders via boxes, particularly regarding parental consent and awareness.
Resolution and Next Steps
Following extensive debate, Holdcroft conceded to collaborate with Blood and Wayne to eliminate the baby box provision during the second-round debate. Consequently, the measure progressed with a unanimous vote of 38-0.
The withdrawal of the contentious provision marks a significant step forward for the Newborn Safe Haven Act, signaling broader bipartisan support for measures aimed at safeguarding newborns and supporting parents in crisis.
