2018 House Bill 5751

Revise surrendered newborn law details

Introduced in the House

March 22, 2018

Introduced by Rep. Daire Rendon (R-103)

To revise a “<a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/1999-2000/billanalysis/House/htm/1999-HLA-5543-B.htm">safe delivery of newborns</a>” law passed in 2000, which provides legal protections to a mother who surrenders a newborn to an emergency service provider. This and House Bill 5750 would allow a provider to install a “newborn safety device” similar in operation to a bank drive-up window or library book return slot, except it would be clean, safe, warm and designed to trigger a 911-call and a notice to staff within 30 seconds that there’s a baby inside. This is intended to let a mother surrender a baby anonymously.

Referred to the Committee on Families, Children and Seniors

May 10, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

May 16, 2018

Passed in the House 94 to 14 (details)

Received in the Senate

May 17, 2018

Referred to the Committee on Families, Seniors, and Human Services

Sept. 25, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Dec. 18, 2018

Amendment offered by Sen. Curtis Hertel (D-23)

To make a baby-box manufacturer liable if anything bad happens due to misuse or a malfunction of the device.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Steve Bieda (D-9)

To only allow a baby box to be installed at a hospital emergency services provider that has 24-hour staffing seven days a week.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 32 to 6 (details)

To revise a “<a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/1999-2000/billanalysis/House/htm/1999-HLA-5543-B.htm">safe delivery of newborns</a>” law passed in 2000, which provides legal protections to a mother who surrenders a newborn to an emergency service provider. This and House Bill 5750 would allow a provider to install a “newborn safety device” similar in operation to a bank drive-up window or library book return slot, except it would be clean, safe, warm and designed to trigger a 911-call and a notice to staff within 30 seconds that there’s a baby inside. This is intended to let a mother surrender a baby anonymously.

Received in the House

Dec. 20, 2018

Passed in the House 98 to 9 (details)

Vetoed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 27, 2018