Florida House passes bill increasing time parents have to voluntarily surrender their infants

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida House of Representatives approved a bill on Thursday that would increase the maximum age of an infant that can be voluntarily surrendered by his or her parents.

The change would mean infants may be surrendered to hospitals, fire stations, and emergency medical service stations for up to 30 days. Current law set the time range at seven days.

Reps. Jennifer Canady, R-Lakeland, and Mike Beltran, R-Riverview, filed the legislation, 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 on the House floor.

The House floor approved the measure unanimously 117-0.

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

Moreover, 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 a similar bill to HB 775.

HB 775 will take effect if fully passed by the Senate and signed by the governor July 1.