The General Assembly has approved legislation to ensure Tennessee high schoolers are aware of the state’s protections for parents in crisis to legally surrender their newborn.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The General Assembly has approved legislation to ensure Tennessee high schoolers are aware of the state’s protections for parents in crisis to legally surrender their newborn.
House Bill 368, sponsored by State Rep. Tom Stinnett, R-Friendsville, requires Tennessee public and charter schools serving grades 9-12 to educate students about the Safe Haven Law, which allows mothers to safely surrender their newborn without facing penalties for abandonment.
“This legislation will raise awareness of Tennessee’s Safe Haven Law, ensuring young people understand the vital protections it provides to parents in crisis,” Stinnett said. “I’m proud to pass my first bill in the House of Representatives and I look forward to advancing several more in the next few weeks.”
Through the Tennessee Safe Haven Law, mothers are able to surrender their infant within 14 days of birth to staff at any Safe Haven facility or newborn safety device, commonly known as a Safe Haven Baby Box.
The legislation requires the Tennessee Board of Education, with the guidance of the Department of Education to develop guidelines for the instruction, and encourages a partnership with A Secret Safe Place for Newborns of Tennessee to create the educational materials.
The guidelines and educational materials must be distributed to school districts and charter schools before the start of the 2026-27 school year.
House Bill 368 now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature.
Tom Stinnett represents House District 20 which includes part of Blount County.