Utah’s Safe Haven law provides a life-saving option for parents in crisis, allowing them to relinquish their newborns safely and anonymously. Now, S.B. 57 aims to improve these protections by expanding relinquishment locations, authorizing Newborn Safe Haven Baby Boxes, and ensuring parents who follow the law are not prosecuted. This bill prioritizes the safety of vulnerable infants while providing a compassionate solution for struggling parents. However, proposed changes could remove Baby Boxes from the bill—weakening these protections. Here’s why S.B. 57, with Baby Boxes included, is so important.

Key Features of S.B. 57

• Expanded Locations for Safe Relinquishment
  The bill broadens the options available for safely relinquishing a newborn. Parents can now safely surrender their child at a variety of designated facilities, including hospitals, fire stations, law enforcement stations, and emergency medical service providers. This makes it easier for parents to access a safe place no matter where they are located.

• Newborn Safety Devices (Baby Boxes)
  S.B. 57 authorizes newborn safety devices, commonly known as Baby Boxes, to be installed at designated facilities. These devices provide a secure, anonymous place for parents to leave their child, with an immediate alert function that notifies facility staff as soon as a baby is placed inside. This ensures the newborn is cared for quickly and safely.

• Protection from Criminal Charges
  Parents who use the safe relinquishment process outlined in the bill will be protected from criminal charges for abandonment or neglect, as long as the baby is not harmed. This provision removes the fear of prosecution, allowing parents to make the best decision for their child's safety without added legal concerns.

• Quick and Compassionate Adoption Process
  Once a newborn is relinquished, the bill ensures that the child will be placed in protective custody immediately, and the adoption process is expedited. This fast-tracked process helps to place the newborn in a loving, permanent home as soon as possible.

Why Baby Boxes Must Stay in the Bill

Baby Boxes provide an additional layer of safety and anonymity for parents who feel unable to surrender their child face-to-face. Installed at hospitals, fire stations, or police stations, these devices allow a parent to place their newborn in a secure, climate-controlled box that automatically locks and alerts staff. States that have implemented Baby Boxes have seen lives saved as a result. Removing them from S.B. 57 would take away an essential resource that ensures no baby is left in an unsafe environment.

How You Can Help

Senator Hinkins is considering removing Baby Boxes from the bill, which would weaken its life-saving impact. We must act now to ensure that doesn’t happen.

• Contact Senator Hinkins and urge him to keep Baby Boxes in S.B. 57.

• Share this information with your friends and family to spread awareness.

• Support organizations that advocate for newborn safety and Safe Haven laws.

Every baby deserves a safe start, and every parent in crisis deserves compassionate options. Let’s make sure S.B. 57 remains as strong as possible.