New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S07904

Introduced
5/13/25  

Caption

Enacts the "safe haven baby box act" to provide a defense to endangering the welfare of a child; defines "safe haven baby box" to mean a secure, climate-controlled device installed at a facility staffed twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, including but not limited to hospitals, police stations, fire stations, and emergency medical service facilities.

Impact

If enacted, S07904 would amend the social services law and the penal law, thereby formalizing the use of safe haven baby boxes in New York. This legislative move is seen as a potential enhancement to existing safe haven laws, facilitating a more secure method for parents to surrender their newborns without facing legal repercussions for abandonment. The proposed regulations would ensure that the boxes have safety features including automatic locking, temperature control, and alarms to alert personnel upon use. The implications for state law primarily revolve around establishing clear guidelines and protections for infants surrendered in this manner, reinforcing child protection mechanisms across the state.

Summary

Bill S07904, known as the 'Safe Haven Baby Box Act', seeks to establish a legal framework for the use of secure, climate-controlled devices for the anonymous surrender of infants. It mandates that these devices, referred to as 'safe haven baby boxes', must be installed at facilities that are continuously staffed, which include hospitals, police stations, fire stations, and emergency medical service facilities. The bill aims to provide a safe alternative for parents who are unable or unwilling to care for their infants, ultimately prioritizing child welfare and safety. The law also modifies existing provisions under the Penal Law regarding endangering the welfare of a child, providing a defense mechanism for parents who leave an infant in one of these designated boxes.

Contention

The act has sparked discussions regarding the balance between parental rights and child welfare. Proponents argue that the implementation of safe haven baby boxes can help prevent instances of abandonment and the potential harm to infants, providing a compassionate option for parents in distress. On the other hand, critics may express concerns over the adequacy of this solution, fearing it may encourage easier abandonments rather than addressing the underlying issues that lead parents to such decisions. Moreover, the establishment of uniform regulations around these devices raises questions about the funding, operation, and oversight necessary for their successful implementation.

Companion Bills

NY A08649

Same As Enacts the "safe haven baby box act" to provide a defense to endangering the welfare of a child; defines "safe haven baby box" to mean a secure, climate-controlled device installed at a facility staffed twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, including but not limited to hospitals, police stations, fire stations, and emergency medical service facilities.

Previously Filed As

NY S06227

Repeals provisions relating to affirmative defenses to the charge of endangering the welfare of a child.

NY A02117

Requires video communication devices for patients or residents in nursing homes, hospitals or facilities providing health related services when visitor access is limited; requires that as part of a disaster preparedness plan that nursing homes, adult homes, enriched housing programs, and assisted living facilities provide video communication devices to patients for use when visitor access is limited, including, but not limited to during a designated state of emergency or a state disaster emergency.

NY A09630

Establishes the New York state school safety and security act; establishes the office of school safety and security to perform assessments of educational facilities for safety and security and provide safety and security training; establishes the school safety and security advisory board to establish school safety and security best practices and resources; imposes a one percent tax on mobile sports wagering to fund such office.

NY S01479

Requires electric vehicle charging stations to be installed at gasoline stations when new gas dispensing motor fuel pumps are being installed at such gasoline station; prohibits building permits from being issued when there is not at least one electric vehicle charging station being installed at such gas station.

NY S01535

Requires certain state owned and operated parking facilities to install and maintain charging stations for plug-in electric vehicles.

NY A04871

Requires certain state owned and operated parking facilities to install and maintain charging stations for plug-in electric vehicles.

NY A08517

Prohibits the installation of certain security devices used to control access to common areas of a residential building without the written permission of the owners, board of managers, board of directors, or authorized party of such property; requires notice to occupants of a residential building prior to the installation of keyless security devices; prohibits increasing rent for the purpose of installing keyless security devices.

NY S08036

Prohibits the installation of certain security devices used to control access to common areas of a residential building without the written permission of the owners, board of managers, board of directors, or authorized party of such property; requires notice to occupants of a residential building prior to the installation of keyless security devices; prohibits increasing rent for the purpose of installing keyless security devices.

NY S05210

Exempts railroad rolling stock from sales and compensating use taxes; defines "railroad rolling stock" as a device, which is used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks to transport goods, commodities, or equipment, including, but not limited to, flat cars, box cars, gondolas, hopper cars, or other freight railroad cars.

NY A05823

Exempts railroad rolling stock from sales and compensating use taxes; defines "railroad rolling stock" as a device, which is used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks to transport goods, commodities, or equipment, including, but not limited to, flat cars, box cars, gondolas, hopper cars, or other freight railroad cars.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.