Some cities in Alabama are planning to install safety devices at fire stations that will allow parents to securely and anonymously surrender infants into the custody of the state.
Jun. 30, 2023, 7:00 a.m.
The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Donna Givens, a Republican from Loxley and a first-year lawmaker, said she got the idea from a similar bill that passed this year in Mississippi. Givens’ bill, HB473, passed the House and Senate without a dissenting vote and was signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey. It takes effect Sept. 1.
“Number one and most important, saving baby’s lives,” Givens said. “Number two, it’s saving the mother from making the mistake of her life that she will regret for the rest of her life. And number three, it’s putting a baby in these loving couple’s arms that desperately wants a baby.” The emergency staff will take the infant to a hospital for evaluation and notify the Alabama Department of Human Resources , which will take custody of the child. DHR will contact law enforcement to determine if the child has been reported missing. The child will be placed in foster care as a first step toward a permanent home.
Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby said he hopes to have a Safe Haven Baby Box installed at the city’s fire station just off Alabama 59, the busy highway to the state’s beaches. The station is near the South Baldwin Regional Medical Center. Foley said he will have to seek approval from the city council. But he said he has always considered the fire department a safe haven, and the new law creates another important way it can serve that purpose.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
From inmate to student: Yale, University of New Haven program graduates first classSeven men from a Connecticut prison crossed the stage at a ceremony in June, celebrating the major accomplishment. Here's more.
Read more »
Drag Bans Aren’t New — and Laws Haven’t Changed Much Since 1887OpEd: 'Despite every legislative attempt to silence queer voices in rural places, there has been and will continue to be a voice for justice, hope, and joy.'
Read more »
What's New in the New Jaundice Guidelines?AAP's revised guideline, more than 15 years in the making, expands on monitoring and treatment of newborns 35 or more weeks' gestation to prevent bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus.
Read more »
A brand new atomic nucleus has just been discovered, claims new studyBy harnessing the power of an accelerator, scientists have successfully observed the lightest known isotope of astatine.
Read more »
New and Improved Auto-Invest: Learn More About the New Features | Binance BlogBinance Earn has updated our Auto-Invest feature with a new and improved look. We’ve also made it even easier to manage your plans and DCA strategies, with personalised plan recommendations. Learn more here ⤵️
Read more »
'Sweet Magnolias' Season 3 Trailer: New Relationships, New Challenges'New challenges and new relationships are good for the soul.' SweetMagnolias
Read more »