Florida makes changes to infant surrender law. Here’s what’s different

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida parents will have more time to surrender unwanted infants under a new expansion to Florida’s Safe Haven laws.

The newly signed HB 775 increases the age at which a parent can anonymously surrender from 7 days old to 30 days old, no questions asked. The law grants the parents immunity from criminal prosecution unless there is actual or suspected child abuse or neglect.

Initially, parents had up to three days to surrender their baby to a hospital or fire station. In 2008, the limit was extended to 7-day-old babies.

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“We are pleased with how the statute is amended,” Nick Silverio, founder and director of A Safe Haven for Newborns, said in a release. “It allows the mother additional time to make this life-affirming decision”.

A Safe Haven for Newborns has saved more than 400 infants since opening the agency over 20 years ago. The Florida nonprofit launched in 2001 a year after Florida’s Safe Haven Law passed. A Safe Haven for Newborns partners with fire stations statewide to offer designated safe spaces for individuals to drop off their unharmed baby.

In January 2023, a newborn was surrendered to Florida’s first and only Safe Haven Baby Box in Ocala, marking the first time it has been used. She was later adopted by a first responder who found her.

Here is a breakdown of changes made by the expansion:

• A parent can anonymously surrender infants for up to 30 days.
• A child can be left with hospital medical staff after the child has been delivered. To do so, parents have to notify staff that they are voluntarily surrendering the child.
• A parent can call 911 and request to meet with an EMS provider so that the parent can surrender the infant. However, they must remain with the baby and “directly surrender” it to the responders who answer the call.
• “Newborn infant” is renamed “infant” to reflect the extended age.

The new law takes effect July 1.

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