Indiana Bill Set to Expand Use of Baby Boxes

We’re Kathey and Rob Raskin of Las Vegas and we care about children throughout this great nation. State senators Erin Houchin and Travis Holdman of Indiana publicized the presentation of Senate Bill 123 on Wednesday. This bill would increase the accessibility of newborn safety incubators, usually called “baby boxes.”

Staying with Indiana’s Safe Haven law, Houchin united Holdman in co-authoring the bill to grow the use of baby boxes in their state by permitting fire departments with a 24-hour staff to install these boxes. Baby boxes are security incubators where people can anonymously surrender their newborn children. The padded, climate-controlled incubators are would be placed on an exterior wall of the fire station.

The boxes are armed with a security system which alerts emergency employees when a baby is placed inside. Emergency responders can be there within minutes. Right now, Indiana only has two of them. Growing this program is voluntary, so each fire department can choose whether or not to participate.

The Indiana Safe Haven Law allows an individual to anonymously give up an unwanted infant without fear of arrest or prosecution, but only if surrendered at a hospital or a site staffed with emergency medical services.

Under the law, the Indiana DCS takes these infants into custody via Child Protective Services and places them with a caregiver.

“[When] parents feel they can[‘t] care for their newborn, […] we would prefer […] the child to be placed [with] another individual, [but] these baby boxes can protect infants from […] what could otherwise be fatal circumstances,” stated Houchin. “By ensuring […] a safe, anonymous way to surrender their child, this […] will reinforce our commitment to the well-being of children.”

Holden added, “Baby boxes allow women to give their baby a chance for a better life. Encouraging fire departments that are staffed 24/7 […] to have baby boxes will positively benefit more infants […] by increasing the number of locations [they] can be installed.”

Children must be kept safe and these boxes, while a not perfect, could give abandoned infants a better chance.

If you’ve seen a child care concern, please report it on our Kathey and Rob Raskin Stop DHR webpage. Do so now, and do your part to inspire your state officials to give our children at chance for a better life.

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