Bipartisan revision to Safe Haven Act would allow for infants to be legally surrendered anonymously in secure “Baby Box”
SANTA FE – Senator David Gallegos (R-Lea and Eddy) and Senator Leo Jaramillo (D-Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, And Santa Fe) today introduced bipartisan legislation amending the Safe Haven Act to allow for the installation of baby boxes in all 33 counties. A baby box, as used around the country, is a safety drawer at a firehouse where an infant can be surrendered safely and anonymously for any reason. The boxes are equipped with ventilation and heat regulation, and a silent alarm to alert the rescue team. As it stands currently, the use of baby boxes is not permitted in New Mexico under the Safe Haven Act which specifies that infants can only be surrendered to a healthcare provider, law enforcement officer, or first responder within 90 days of birth to remove liability of abandonment from the parent.
