SAFE HAVEN INFANT BOXES

SB 499 adds "safe haven baby boxes" to New Mexico's existing safe haven system, allowing parents to anonymously surrender newborns (up to 90 days old) at designated sites like hospitals or fire stations. The bill requires sites to provide information about adoption services and informs parents that they have 90 days to contact the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) to seek reunification; if they don't, CYFD must file a motion to terminate parental rights. It also mandates sites to immediately notify CYFD when an infant is left and provides guidelines for medical care and permanency planning. The bill directly affects parents seeking anonymous surrender options, safe haven sites, and CYFD's procedures. (Note: The bill was referred to committees but postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.)