State Reps. William Bruck, Jennifer Wortz and Mai Xiong this week introduced a bipartisan plan to give struggling parents more options to safely surrender a baby without fear or shame.

Since 2001, Michigan’s Safe Delivery law has provided parents with a legal and secure way to surrender newborns to personnel at hospitals, fire stations, police departments, or by calling 9-1-1. More than 360 babies have been safely placed for adoption under this program.

The new legislation, House Bills 4067-4069, would enhance this initiative by allowing newborn safety devices to be installed at emergency service provider locations in Michigan.

“Our goal is to protect the most vulnerable among us,” said Bruck, R-Erie. “By expanding access to newborn safety devices, we are giving parents in crisis a secure, legal, and anonymous option to ensure their child’s well-being. Every baby deserves a chance at life, and this legislation makes that possible.”

Newborn safety devices are temperature-controlled, secure enclosures installed in the exterior walls of designated safe locations, such as fire stations. These devices notify emergency responders within seconds of an infant being placed inside, ensuring immediate medical attention and care. Under the proposed plan, emergency responders would promptly transport surrendered newborns to hospitals for evaluation.

“We understand that some parents may feel they have no other choice, and we want to provide them with an option that guarantees their baby’s safety,” said Wortz, R-Quincy. “These devices are already saving lives in other states. It’s time Michigan makes them available, as well.”

The plan includes key safeguards, such as requiring monthly inspections to ensure devices are functioning properly. Newborn safety devices would also be installed in locations that are secure and visible to staff to prevent tampering or unauthorized access. If no staff member is present in the building, the device must remain locked and inaccessible.

“Every newborn deserves a safe place to be cared for,” said Xiong, D-Warren. “I am proud to support legislation that provides new parents in crisis a secure, anonymous option to surrender their newborns safely. Protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring that every child has the opportunity for a future is my priority.”

House Bills 4067-4069 were referred to the House Families and Veterans Committee for consideration.

###