Committee passes bill increasing the age parents can voluntarily surrender their infants

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The House Committee on Health and Human Services unanimously approved a bill 20-0 on Tuesday that would change the age parents can voluntarily surrender their infants.

The change would mean infants could be surrendered to hospitals, fire stations, and emergency medical service stations for up to 30 days.

According to HB 775, parents are exempt from criminal prosecution if they choose to surrender their infant. However, the exemption would not apply if wrongdoing is suspected and involves child abuse or neglect.

Rep. Jennifer Canady, R-Lakeland, and Rep. Mike Beltran, R-Riverview, filed HB 775.

The bill is an expansion of current Florida law, known as the “Safe Haven Law”, which requires specific surrender to the emergency room.

“HB 775 expands the safe haven law by allowing the use of 911 to surrender a baby which protects those without access to transportation by extending the age a newborn can be surrendered from seven days to 30 days,” Canady said to the committee.

Furthermore, under the bill, medical staff must be notified by the parent if they do not intend to return to the child. It also requires a parent meet a provider at a specific location for the surrender.

Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, filed an identical companion bill to HB 775.

The full House will now take up the legislation.