Panel hears emotional testimony on bill to add newborn ‘safe‑haven’ boxes; consideration tabled for more study

The committee held extended testimony and debate on House Bill 350, a measure to add newborn safety devices (sometimes called baby boxes or newborn safety cradles) and ambulance services as locations under Georgia’s safe‑haven surrender law.

What the bill would change: The sponsor said HB 350 would expand the list of entities where a parent may safely surrender a newborn (currently hospitals, police and fire departments) to include ambulance services and allow installation of newborn safety devices that enable anonymous relinquishment within a monitored container.

Testimony and claims: Advocates — including a Frontline Policy Council representative, two mothers who have worked on the issue, an adoptive parent and a faith‑group public‑affairs representative — described the devices as temperature‑controlled, UL‑certified units with an internal medical bassinet and alarms. Testimony included numerical claims that about 76 babies have been rescued in states with boxes since 2017 and that more than 400 boxes exist nationally. Witnesses said the units typically cost roughly $20,000 and are funded locally or by grassroots donations.

Legislative concerns: Committee members asked about certification, maintenance checks, alarm response times, whether boxes should be regulated and whether ambulance services (many of which are private providers) should receive the liability protections the bill contemplates. Some senators argued for expanding legally authorized adult handoffs rather than relying on an anonymous device; others said the device could save children who otherwise might be abandoned in unsafe places.

Outcome: After extended discussion and offers to prepare amendments and additional statistics, the committee voted 8–4 to table the bill to allow staff and members time to gather data and refine language on locations, vendor oversight, and liability protections.