Missouri is working to step up its efforts on placing additional drop-off boxes for parents to anonymously surrender their newborns. The state House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bill that would help to fund the installation of these climate-controlled incubators at more Missouri hospitals and fire stations.
Rep. Jim Murphy, R-St. Louis, is proposing to create a state fund to match up to $10,000 per installation of a drop-off box.
“We need to accelerate this program, especially after what happened in November on Amendment 3,” said Murphy. “We need to give an alternative. These boxes save babies’ lives.”
Missouri currently has two baby safe haven boxes – in Mehlville and Cedar Hill. Another one will be added this month in Eureka. Murphy told Missourinet that eight others are in the works.
Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, R-Savannah, said a baby safe haven box is being placed at a Savannah fire station this summer.
“Two young ladies from our town got up and talked about the funding they’d raised to put the baby box in, how it would work, response times within just a matter of minutes. Like the gentleman from St. Louis County, I pray that never has to be used, but if it is used, that’s there to help save a baby,” said Van Schoiack.
The drop-off boxes are climate controlled with a bassinet inside and they immediately notify emergency responders when a baby has been placed in it.
Current Missouri law allows parents to give up their newborns, up to 45 days of age, at a designated drop-off box without the fear of prosecution. House Bill 121 would change the baby age limit to 90 days of age.
Rep. Marlene Terry says she supports the bill “wholeheartedly.”
“It’s always very important when we can find safety for our children, especially newborns and loved ones,” says Terry. “Every community, every fire station possible within their city or town needs to have one of those baby incubators.”
The proposal now goes to the Senate for another look at it.
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