Rep. Noble supports plan to protect newborns

May 8, 2018

Contact: Amanda Matelonek (517) 373-3597

State Rep. Jeff Noble, vice chair of the Families, Children and Seniors Committee, today said he supports a plan to protect newborns surrendered by their birth parents.

Noble said the solution gives parents up to 30 days to safely, legally and anonymously surrender their child to the care of professionals.

Parents will also have the option to use a newborn safety device and surrender their newborn child to an employee who is inside the premises of a hospital, fire station or police station.

The device is a box that has heating and cooling features to keep newborns safe and comfortable. Sensors are attached that notify emergency personnel within seconds of an infant being left.

“This legislation protects newborns and provides a safe alternative to parents who surrender their child,” said Noble, of Northville. “Protecting the child and ensuring their safety is a top priority.”

More than 200 newborns have been surrendered in Michigan through the state’s safe delivery program since 2001.

The plan also describes the requirements a “newborn safety device” must meet to ensure the care of a newborn that parents surrender to professionals.

Requirements include meeting sanitation and manufacturing standards, and that only emergency service providers may take custody of the newborn placed in the device.

“Meeting these requirements will protect the child placed in a newborn safety device,” said Noble.

House Bills 5750 and 5751 remain under consideration by the House Families, Children, and Seniors Committee.