Bill would provide anonymous infant surrender options under Nebraska Safe Haven Law

A Nebraska state senator is looking to expand where parents can legally surrender their newborns.

Under the state's current Safe Haven law, parents can drop off infants younger than 90 days old to staff at any hospital, fire station or police station that is monitored 24 hours a day without legal consequence.

A bill from Sen. Rick Holdcroft would also let parents utilize padded and temperature-controlled boxes, known as newborn safety devices, at those locations as an alternative to in-person surrenders.

Jessi Getrost, who works for Safe Haven Baby Boxes, the leading manufacturer of the devices, said the added anonymity could result in fewer unsafe abandonments.

"We still have babies being thrown away like garbage. And you know the main reason why? Because women want anonymity, and they're telling us how important that is for them by where they're leaving them," she said.

Representatives from several pro-life organizations also testified in favor of the bill. Nebraska Family Alliance Executive Director Nate Grasz said that baby boxes offer parents in need a last resort option.

"We don't want to see any child abandoned, but tragically, we know this does and has happened, and we want to instead provide a safe alternative that prevents abandonment," Grasz said.

Nebraska Right to Life director Sandy Danek said baby boxes can give a child a chance at a better life.

"No mother wants to be faced with such a difficult decision placing her child because of her inability to provide," she said. "However, when there are no other options and it is found to be in the best interest of the child, providing this positive resource can help to save lives."

However, the bill’s only in-person opponent, Scott Thomas, said it would undermine pro-life values by encouraging parents to surrender infants.

“We believe that life is valuable. We believe that life begins at conception. You don't undermine those values and principles by saying, ‘We can stuff the baby in a metal box when it's inconvenient,’ or ‘What if you don't want to look somebody in the face when you're doing it?” he said.

The Health and Human Services Committee will later determine whether the bill advances to debate from the full Legislature.

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