Florida 2025 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 5 R · 3 D cosponsors

HB 791 — Surrendered Infants

Last action — Chapter No. 2025-17

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 20, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis (Republican) on April 29, 2025.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    3 primary, 7 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (5 R · 3 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

Surrendered Infants ; Revises definition of "infant"; defines "infant safety device"; authorizes certain hospitals, EMS stations, & fire stations to use infant safety devices to accept surrendered infants if device meets specified criteria; requires such hospitals, EMS stations, & fire stations to monitor inside of device 24 hours per day & physically check & test devices at specified intervals; provides additional requirements for certain fire stations using such devices.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

242 added · 243 removed

242 line(s) added, 243 removed.

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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 791 2025 A bill to be entitled An act relating to surrendered infants;
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 791 2025 A bill to be entitled An act relating to surrendered infants;
hb791-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 791 2025 the time the child is surrendered under this section left at a hospital, an emergency medical services station, or a fire station.
hb791-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 791 2025 the time the child is surrendered under this section left at a hospital, an emergency medical services station, or a fire station.
hb791-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 791 2025 4.
hb791-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 791 2025 4.
(4)(3) Each emergency medical services station or fire station that is staffed with full-time firefighters, emergency medical technicians, or paramedics shall accept any infant surrendered to left with a firefighter, an emergency medical technician, or a paramedic, or surrendered in an infant safety device.
(4)(3) Each emergency medical services station or fire station that is staffed with full-time firefighters, emergency medical technicians, or paramedics shall accept any infant left with a firefighter, an emergency medical technician, or a paramedic or in an infant safety device.
The firefighter, emergency medical technician, or Page 3 of 12 CODING:
The firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic shall consider these Page 3 of 12 CODING:
hb791-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 791 2025 paramedic shall consider these actions as implied consent to and shall:
hb791-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 791 2025 actions as implied consent to and shall:
84 A licensee as defined in s.
83 A licensee as defined in s.
(5)(a)(4)(a) An infant may be left with medical staff or a licensed health care professional after the delivery of the an infant in a hospital, a parent of the infant may leave the infant with medical staff or a licensed health care professional at the hospital if the parent of the infant notifies such medical staff or licensed health care professional that the Page 4 of 12 CODING:
(5)(a)(4)(a) An infant may be left with medical staff or a licensed health care professional after the delivery of the an infant in a hospital, a parent of the infant may leave the infant with medical staff or a licensed health care professional at the hospital if the parent of the infant notifies such medical staff or licensed health care professional that the parent is voluntarily surrendering the infant and does not Page 4 of 12 CODING:
hb791-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 791 2025 parent is voluntarily surrendering the infant and does not intend to return.
hb791-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 791 2025 intend to return.
When an infant is born in a hospital and the mother Page 5 of 12 CODING:
When an infant is born in a hospital and the mother expresses intent to surrender leave the infant and not return, Page 5 of 12 CODING:
hb791-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 791 2025 expresses intent to surrender leave the infant and not return, upon the mother's request, the hospital or registrar must shall complete the infant's birth certificate without naming the mother thereon.
hb791-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 791 2025 upon the mother's request, the hospital or registrar must shall complete the infant's birth certificate without naming the mother thereon.
Page 6 of 12 CODING:
(9)(8) An infant admitted to a hospital in accordance with Page 6 of 12 CODING:
hb791-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 791 2025 (9)(8) An infant admitted to a hospital in accordance with this section is presumed eligible for coverage under Medicaid, subject to federal rules.
hb791-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 791 2025 this section is presumed eligible for coverage under Medicaid, subject to federal rules.
63.0423 Procedures with respect to surrendered infants.— Page 7 of 12 CODING:
63.0423 Procedures with respect to surrendered infants.— (1) Upon entry of final judgment terminating parental Page 7 of 12 CODING:
hb791-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 791 2025 (1) Upon entry of final judgment terminating parental rights, a licensed child-placing agency that takes physical custody of an infant surrendered at a hospital, emergency medical services station, or fire station pursuant to s.
hb791-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 791 2025 rights, a licensed child-placing agency that takes physical custody of an infant surrendered at a hospital, emergency medical services station, or fire station pursuant to s.
383.50, the department shall provide instruction to contact a licensed child-placing agency and may not take custody of the infant unless reasonable efforts to contact a licensed child-placing agency to accept the infant Page 8 of 12 CODING:
383.50, the department shall provide instruction to contact a licensed child-placing agency and may not take custody of the infant unless reasonable efforts to contact a licensed child-placing agency to accept the infant have not been successful.
Page 8 of 12 CODING:
hb791-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 791 2025 have not been successful.
hb791-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 791 2025 (7) If a claim of parental rights of a surrendered infant is made before the judgment to terminate parental rights is entered, the circuit court may hold the action for termination of parental rights in abeyance for a period of time not to exceed 60 days.
(7) If a claim of parental rights of a surrendered infant is made before the judgment to terminate parental rights is entered, the circuit court may hold the action for termination of parental rights in abeyance for a period of time not to exceed 60 days.
The motion must be filed within a reasonable time but not later than Page 9 of 12 CODING:
The motion must be filed within a reasonable time but not later than 1 year after the entry of the judgment terminating parental Page 9 of 12 CODING:
hb791-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 791 2025 1 year after the entry of the judgment terminating parental rights.
hb791-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 791 2025 rights.
(d) Within 45 days after the preliminary hearing, the court shall conduct a final hearing on the motion to set aside Page 10 of 12 CODING:
(d) Within 45 days after the preliminary hearing, the court shall conduct a final hearing on the motion to set aside the judgment and shall enter its written order as expeditiously Page 10 of 12 CODING:
hb791-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 791 2025 the judgment and shall enter its written order as expeditiously as possible thereafter.
hb791-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 791 2025 as possible thereafter.
identification of parent leaving infant at hospital, emergency medical services station, or fire station.—The identity of a parent who surrenders leaves an Page 11 of 12 CODING:
identification of parent leaving infant at hospital, emergency medical services station, or fire station.—The identity of a parent who surrenders leaves an infant at a hospital, an emergency medical services station, or Page 11 of 12 CODING:
hb791-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 791 2025 infant at a hospital, an emergency medical services station, or a fire station in accordance with s.
hb791-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 791 2025 a fire station in accordance with s.
hb791-02-c2
hb791-01-c1
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How this bill changes current law

7 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing laws regarding the treatment and acceptance of surrendered infants, specifically defining 'infant safety device' and establishing criteria and responsibilities for hospitals, emergency services, and fire stations.

  • Section 383.50

    the term "infant" means a child who a licensed physician reasonably believes is approximately 30 days old or younger at the time the child is surrendered under this section left at a hospital, an emergency medical services station, or a fire station. → the term "infant" means a child who a licensed physician reasonably believes is approximately 30 days old or younger at the time the child is surrendered under this section left at a hospital, an emergency medical services station, or a fire station.

    The definition of 'infant' remains the same.

  • Section 383.50

    "Infant safety device" means a device that is installed in a supporting wall of a hospital, an emergency medical services station, or a fire station and that has an exterior point of access allowing an individual to place an infant inside and an interior point of access allowing individuals inside the building to safely retrieve the infant.

    Introduces a new term, 'infant safety device', with a defined meaning.

  • Section 383.50

    A hospital, an emergency medical services station, or a fire station that is staffed 24 hours per day may use an infant safety device to accept surrendered infants under this section if the device is: → A hospital, an emergency medical services station, or a fire station that is staffed 24 hours per day may use an infant safety device to accept surrendered infants under this section if the device is:

    Reiterates conditions under which facilities can accept surrendered infants using such devices.

  • Section 383.50

    the interior point of access is in an area that is conspicuous and visible to the employees of the hospital, emergency medical services station, or fire station. → the interior point of access is in an area that is conspicuous and visible to the employees of the hospital, emergency medical services station, or fire station.

    Maintains existing requirement for the placement of the interior access point for safety.

  • Section 383.50

    A hospital, an emergency medical services station, or a fire station that uses an infant safety device to accept surrendered infants shall use the device's surveillance system to monitor the inside of the infant safety device 24 hours per day and shall physically check the device at least twice daily and test the device at least weekly to ensure that the alarm system is in working order. → A hospital, an emergency medical services station, or a fire station that uses an infant safety device to accept surrendered infants shall use the device's surveillance system to monitor the inside of the infant safety device 24 hours per day and shall physically check the device at least twice daily and test the device at least weekly to ensure that the alarm system is in working order.

    Reinforces the requirement for monitoring and testing of the infant safety device.

  • Section 383.50

    A parent of the infant may leave the infant with medical staff or a licensed health care professional after the delivery of the an infant in a hospital, a parent of the infant may leave the infant with medical staff or a licensed health care professional at the hospital if the parent of the infant notifies such medical staff or licensed health care professional that the parent is voluntarily surrendering the infant and does not intend to return. → A parent of the infant may leave the infant with medical staff or a licensed health care professional at the hospital if the parent of the infant notifies such medical staff or licensed health care professional that the parent is voluntarily surrendering the infant and does not intend to return.

    Clarifies and streamlines the language regarding voluntary surrender of an infant at a hospital.

  • Section 63.0423

    Upon entry of final judgment terminating parental rights, a licensed child-placing agency that takes physical custody of an infant surrendered at a hospital, emergency medical services station, or fire station pursuant to s. 383.50 assumes responsibility for the medical and other costs associated with the emergency services and care of the surrendered infant from the time the licensed child-placing agency takes physical cust → Upon entry of final judgment terminating parental rights, a licensed child-placing agency that takes physical custody of an infant surrendered at a hospital, emergency medical services station, or fire station pursuant to s. 383.50 assumes responsibility for the medical and other costs associated with the emergency services and care of the surrendered infant from the time the licensed child-placing agency takes physical custody.

    Confirms that child-placing agencies are responsible for medical costs after they take custody of surrendered infants.

Action History

  1. Chapter No. 2025-17

  2. Approved by Governor

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

  4. Ordered enrolled

  5. In Messages

  6. Immediately certified

  7. CS passed; YEAS 33 NAYS 4

  8. Read 3rd time

  9. Read 2nd time

  10. Substituted for SB 1690

  11. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

  12. Withdrawn from Rules

  13. Received

  14. Referred to Rules

  15. In Messages

  16. CS passed; YEAS 106, NAYS 0

  17. Read 3rd time

  18. Added to Third Reading Calendar

  19. Placed on 3rd reading

  20. Read 2nd time

  21. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (4/3/2025)

  22. Added to Second Reading Calendar

  23. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)

  24. Bill referred to House Calendar

  25. CS Filed

  26. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

  27. Reported out of Health & Human Services Committee

  28. Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Committee

  29. Added to Health & Human Services Committee agenda

  30. Now in Health & Human Services Committee

  31. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee

  32. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)

  33. CS Filed

  34. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

  35. Reported out of Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee

  36. Favorable with CS by Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee

  37. PCS added to Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee agenda

  38. 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)

  39. Now in Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee

  40. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee

  41. Referred to Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee

  42. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

3 sponsors · 7 co-sponsors · 154 not signed on · 4 voted No

Sponsors (3)

  • Cobb, Nan Republican
  • Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee
  • Health & Human Services Committee

Co-sponsors (7)

Not signed on (154)

154 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 154 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Third Reading

Passed 33 Yea · 4 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 5401
Republican 25000
Unaffiliated 2000
No Party Affiliation 1000
Total 33401
% of votes cast 87%11%0%3%
How each member voted (38)
Member Party Vote
Ingoglia — Yea
Collins — Yea
Arrington, Kristen Aston Democrat Yea
Berman, Lori Democrat Nay
Bernard, Mack Democrat Yea
Davis, Tracie Democrat Nay
Jones, Shevrin D. "Shev" Democrat Not Voting
Osgood, Rosalind Democrat Yea
Polsky, Tina Scott Democrat Nay
Rouson, Darryl Ervin Democrat Yea
Sharief, Barbara Democrat Yea
Smith, Carlos Guillermo Democrat Nay
Pizzo, Jason W. B. No Party Affiliation Yea
Albritton, Ben Republican Yea
Boyd, Jim Republican Yea
Bradley, Jennifer Republican Yea
Brodeur, Jason Republican Yea
Burgess, Danny Republican Yea
Burton, Colleen Republican Yea
Calatayud, Alexis Republican Yea
DiCeglie, Nick Republican Yea
Gaetz, Don Republican Yea
Garcia, Ileana Republican Yea
Grall, Erin Republican Yea
Gruters, Joe Republican Yea
Harrell, Gayle Republican Yea
Hooper, Ed Republican Yea
Leek, Thomas J. "Tom" Republican Yea
Martin, Jonathan Republican Yea
McClain, Stan Republican Yea
Passidomo, Kathleen Republican Yea
Rodriguez, Ana Maria Republican Yea
Simon, Corey Republican Yea
Truenow, Keith L. Republican Yea
Trumbull, Jay Republican Yea
Vacant Republican Yea
Wright, Tom A. Republican Yea
Yarborough, Clay Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passage, Third Reading

Passed 106 Yea · 0 Nay · 13 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 710010
Democrat 31002
Unaffiliated 4001
Total 1060013
% of votes cast 89%0%0%11%
How each member voted (119)
Member Party Vote
Caruso — Yea
Temple — Yea
Tomkow — Yea
Casello — Not Voting
Lopez, V. — Yea
Alvarez, Jose Democrat Yea
Antone, Bruce Hadley Democrat Not Voting
Aristide, Wallace Democrat Yea
Bartleman, Robin Democrat Yea
Bracy Davis, LaVon Democrat Yea
Campbell, Daryl Democrat Yea
Chambliss, Kevin D. Democrat Yea
Cross, Lindsay Democrat Yea
Daley, Dan Democrat Yea
Daniels, Kimberly Democrat Yea
Driskell, Fentrice Democrat Yea
Dunkley, Lisa Democrat Yea
Edmonds, Jervonte "Tae" Democrat Not Voting
Eskamani, Dr. Anna V. Democrat Yea
Franklin II, Gallop Democrat Yea
Gantt, Ashley Viola Democrat Yea
Gottlieb, Michael "Mike" Democrat Yea
Harris, Jennifer "Rita" Democrat Yea
Hart-Lowman, Dianne "Ms Dee" Democrat Yea
Hinson, Yvonne Hayes Democrat Yea
Hunschofsky, Christine Democrat Yea
Joseph, Dotie Democrat Yea
López, Johanna Democrat Yea
Nixon, Angela "Angie" Democrat Yea
Rayner, Michele K. Democrat Yea
Robinson, Felicia Simone Democrat Yea
Rosenwald, Mitch Democrat Yea
Skidmore, Kelly Democrat Yea
Smith, Carlos Guillermo Democrat Yea
Spencer, Leonard Democrat Yea
Tant, Allison Democrat Yea
Tendrich, Debra Democrat Yea
Woodson, Marie Paule Democrat Yea
Abbott, Shane G. Republican Yea
Albert, Jon Republican Yea
Alvarez, Daniel Antonio "Danny" Republican Yea
Anderson, Adam Republican Yea
Andrade, Robert Alexander "Alex" Republican Yea
Baker, Jessica Republican Yea
Bankson, Douglas Michael "Doug" Republican Yea
Barnaby, Webster Republican Yea
Basabe, Fabián Republican Yea
Benarroch, Yvette Republican Yea
Berfield, Kimberly Republican Yea
Black, Dean Republican Yea
Blanco, Omar Republican Yea
Booth, Erika Republican Yea
Borrero, David Republican Yea
Botana, Adam Republican Yea
Brackett, Robert A. "Robbie" Republican Yea
Brannan III, Robert Charles "Chuck" Republican Not Voting
Buchanan, James Republican Yea
Busatta, Demi Republican Yea
Canady, Jennifer Republican Yea
Cassel, Hillary Republican Not Voting
Chamberlin, Ryan Republican Yea
Chaney, Linda Republican Yea
Cobb, Nan Republican Yea
Conerly, William "Bill" Republican Yea
Duggan, Wyman Republican Not Voting
Esposito, Tiffany Republican Yea
Fabricio, Tom Republican Yea
Garrison, Sam Republican Yea
Gentry, Richard Republican Yea
Gerwig, Anne Republican Yea
Giallombardo, Mike Republican Yea
Gonzalez Pittman, Karen Republican Yea
Gossett-Seidman, Peggy Republican Yea
Greco, Sam Republican Yea
Griffitts Jr., Philip Wayne "Griff" Republican Yea
Grow, J.J. Republican Yea
Holcomb, Jeff Republican Not Voting
Jacques, Berny Republican Yea
Johnson, Chad Republican Yea
Kendall, Kim Republican Yea
Kincart Jonsson, Jennifer Republican Yea
Koster, Traci Republican Yea
LaMarca, Chip Republican Yea
Maggard, Randall Scott "Randy" Republican Yea
Maney, Patt Republican Yea
Mayfield, Debbie Republican Yea
McClure, Lawrence Republican Not Voting
McFarland, Fiona Republican Yea
Melo, Lauren Republican Yea
Michael, Kiyan Republican Yea
Miller, Monique Republican Not Voting
Mooney Jr., James Vernon "Jim" Republican Yea
Nix Jr., Danny Republican Yea
Oliver, Vanessa Republican Yea
Overdorf, Tobin Rogers "Toby" Republican Yea
Owen, Michael Republican Yea
Partington, Bill Republican Yea
Perez, Daniel Republican Yea
Persons-Mulicka, Jenna Republican Yea
Plakon, Rachel Saunders Republican Yea
Plasencia, Susan Republican Not Voting
Porras, Juan Carlos Republican Yea
Redondo, Mike Republican Yea
Rizo, Alex Republican Yea
Robinson Jr., William Cloud "Will" Republican Yea
Salzman, Michelle Republican Yea
Sapp, Judson Republican Yea
Shoaf, Jason Republican Yea
Sirois, Tyler I. Republican Yea
Snyder, John Republican Not Voting
Stark, Paula A. Republican Not Voting
Steele, Kevin M. Republican Not Voting
Trabulsy, Dana Republican Yea
Tramont, Chase Republican Yea
Tuck, Kaylee Republican Yea
Valdés, Susan L. Republican Yea
Weinberger, Meg Republican Yea
Yarkosky, Taylor Michael Republican Yea
Yeager, Bradford Troy "Brad" Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 791 do?
Surrendered Infants ; Revises definition of "infant"; defines "infant safety device"; authorizes certain hospitals, EMS stations, & fire stations to use infant safety devices to accept surrendered infants if device meets specified criteria; requires such hospitals, EMS stations, & fire stations to monitor inside of device 24 hours per day & physically check & test devices at specified intervals; provides additional requirements for certain fire stations using such devices.
Who sponsors HB 791?
HB 791 is sponsored by Trabulsy, Dana (Republican), Rosenwald, Mitch (Democrat), Plakon, Rachel Saunders (Republican), López, Johanna (Democrat), Kincart Jonsson, Jennifer (Republican), Bartleman, Robin (Democrat), Barnaby, Webster (Republican), Cobb, Nan (Republican), Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee, and Health & Human Services Committee.
What is the current status of HB 791?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 20, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 791?
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