GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2025

H                                                                                                                                                    1

HOUSE BILL 139

Short Title:      Baby Boxes/Newborn Safety Device.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Representatives Balkcom, Pickett, Potts, and Ward (Primary Sponsors). For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to:	Judiciary 2, if favorable, Health, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

February 18, 2025

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to allow infants to be safely surrendered at certain facilities in a newborn safety device.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 7B‑521 reads as rewritten:

"§ 7B‑521.  Persons to whom infant may be surrendered.surrendered; newborn safety device.

(a) Temporary Custody. – The following individuals shall, without a court order, take into temporary custody an infant reasonably believed to be not more than 30 days of age that is voluntarily delivered either (i) to a newborn safety device in accordance with subsection (b) of this section or (ii) to the individual by the infant's parent who does not express an intent to return for the infant:

(1)        A health care provider, as defined under G.S. 90‑21.11, who is on duty or at a hospital or at a local or district health department or at a nonprofit community health center.

(2)        A first responder who is on duty, including a law enforcement officer, a certified emergency medical services worker, or a firefighter.

(3)        A social services worker who is on duty or at a local department of social services.

(b) Newborn Safety Device. – Any individual qualified under subsection (a) of this section shall take temporary custody of an infant, without a court order, if the parent of the infant leaves the infant, without expressing an intent to return for the infant, in a newborn safety device. Each newborn safety device shall possess an adequate dual alarm system connected to the appropriate facility listed in this subsection. The facility shall test the dual alarm system monthly to ensure the system is in working order. A newborn safety device may be installed at any of the following locations if the location is staffed continuously 24 hours per day by individuals qualified under subsection (a) of this section:

(1) An emergency department attached to a hospital licensed under Chapter 131E of the General Statutes that provides emergency care to patients.

(2) An emergency facility that provides emergency services.

(3) A social services office or local department of social services."

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2025.