New Florida Law Extends Safe Haven Period for Surrendering Infants
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Nearly 200 new laws in Florida are set to take effect Monday, and some could have significant impacts on residents. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed various bills affecting parents, property owners, employment, and healthcare. Here’s a look at a few of these new laws:
HB 775: Surrendered Infants
This law increases the age at which a baby can be surrendered under Florida’s “Safe Haven Law” from seven days to 30 days old.
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Focusing on HB 775, the Florida Infant Surrender Law will change Monday from the previous seven-day surrender period to 30 days. A Safe Haven for Newborns, a state non-profit organization, helps save newborns from abandonment by providing alternative support options.
“This is going to give the mom more time to make an important decision that will affect her for the rest of her life, and we are supportive of it,” said Nick Silverio, the founder of Safe Haven for Newborns.
Silverio connected WPTV with a family who adopted a baby girl dropped off at the Deerfield Beach Fire Department in 2003. Lori Lewis adopted baby Gloria Hope on Father’s Day 21 years ago.
“We received a call from our agency, Kids in Distress, and they said we have a baby for you, and she’s yours to keep,” said Lewis. “The firefighters named her Hope, so we kept it.”
According to the source, Gloria is now 21 years old, living in Kentucky as a college student with big dreams of helping others.
“It’s such a part of my life that I don’t really think about it as being different or being strange,” Gloria said.
Back in 2003, the surrender law was only three days. Lewis discussed the new law and its impact on future families.
“It’s not a decision made lightly. I support it,” said Lewis. “If it wasn’t for Gloria’s biological mother, I wouldn’t have her. So I am grateful.”
According to the source article, this new law aims to provide mothers with more time to make critical decisions that will significantly impact their lives and their children’s futures. The extension from seven days to 30 days is seen as a compassionate measure to support mothers in crisis.
Silverio’s organization, A Safe Haven for Newborns, has been instrumental in providing resources and support to mothers considering surrendering their infants. The extension is expected to reduce the number of abandoned babies by giving mothers more time to seek help and explore their options.
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This law change is not just about extending the timeframe but also about reinforcing the support system for mothers and babies in need. It reflects a broader effort to ensure that every child has a chance at a safe and loving home.
The story of Lori Lewis and her adopted daughter Gloria Hope is a testament to the positive outcomes that can result from the Safe Haven Law. It highlights the importance of providing mothers with the necessary time and support to make informed decisions.
With the new law in effect, families like the Lewis’s may have more opportunities to welcome children into their homes, giving these babies a chance at a better life. It’s a step forward in ensuring that no child is left without a loving home and that mothers are supported during their most challenging times.
In summary, Florida’s new law, HB 775, extends the period for surrendering an infant from seven days to 30 days, aiming to provide mothers with more time and support to make critical decisions.
This change reflects a compassionate approach to addressing the needs of mothers and babies in crisis, ensuring that every child has a chance at a safe and loving home.