(March 13, 2023) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Senator Beverly Gossage (R-Eudora), held a hearing on House Bill 2024. The bill expands the legal surrender of an infant to include newborn safety devices as an option for facilities that receive newborns. The legislation previously passed the House on a vote of 94-30. The committee heard from the following conferees:
- Angie Malik, private citizen, Miami County, shared why this legislation is needed, what other states have done, and how the safe haven laws can still be confusing for mothers in crisis. The committee also received written proponent testimony from TJ Wyssmann, McPherson fire chief, and Tanya Keys, deputy secretary, Kansas Department for Children and Families.
Written-only opponent testimony was provided by Gregory Luce, attorney, Adoptee Rights Law Center.