Safe Haven Baby Box bill signed into law

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed several bills into law on April 24, including one (House Bill 1318) known as the Safe Haven Baby Box bill, legislation driven greatly in part by Caitlin Kelly, a South Mississippi nurse who has adopted and fostered children herself. Kelly was among dozens on hand for the signing ceremony held at the State Capitol in Jackson.

The legislation helps clear the way for Long Beach to install the state’s first Safe Haven Baby Box (SHBB), which is used to provide a safe place for people to anonymously surrender newborns they are unable to care for. The box will be installed at Central Fire Station on Klondyke Road once funding is complete. This new legislation extends the length of time for newborns to be surrendered from just seven days to forty-five days without prosecution.

The local SHBB fundraising goal of $20,000 has already been halfway met, and the baby box is expected to be installed and available for use by the end of this year. To make a donation, visit: secure.qgiv.com/for/ftpashbbihnm/?fbclid=IwAR10c0W1Yi3zdT1lrkPxTu7eON0h7Pq63WUnT3Zw3_UoatrsVmP6ACCT33o.