The New Mexico House of Representatives earlier this month introduced a bill that would allow infants to be safely surrendered.
House Bill 157 (HB157) would allow for the installation and operation of surrender devices; these would allow mothers to set a child in the device, where it would be safe for up to 30 minutes, as well as set off an alarm. Additionally, the legislation protects mothers from being prosecuted for child abandonment, according to KRQE.
The station reported that the bill would fund $70,000 for public education to raise awareness among students in middle and high school.
“When they’re in college somewhere else, they’re going to remember they can take a newborn to a fire station, or a hospital, based on the training they received in high school,” Monica Kelsey from Safe Haven Baby Boxes said to KRQE. “Once they get out of high school, there’s no guarantee they’re going to get that information anywhere.”
The bill was inspired after a New Mexico resident left her newborn child in a trash container.
HB 157 was introduced by state Reps. Ambrose Castellano (D-San Miguel), James R.J. Strickler (R-Las Cruces), Kelly K. Fajaro (R-Valencia), Christine Trujillo (D-Bernallilo), and Doreen Gallegos (D-Dona Ana), KRQE said.
The station reported that the Health and Human Services Committee passed the bill in a 7-3 vote.