Bill > S2193

Introduced Session

This bill mandates that the Department of Children and Families (DCF) prepare and make available on its Internet website, in an easily printable format, information on the program providing "baby boxes" and safe sleep education to expecting and new parents. DCF would update the information whenever new information on the program becomes available. DCF would also be required to post a website link to the program providing the "baby boxes" and safe sleep education on its website, and ensure that the link is easily accessible to the public, prominently displayed on the website, and updated as necessary. As used in bill, "baby box" means a box made of durable cardboard, filled with essential items for newborns and expecting and new parents, such as diapers, baby wipes, and information on safe sleep techniques, that can serve as a safe sleep environment for the first few months of an infant's life, and meets all applicable tenets of the bassinet standard established by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. The bill stipulates that DCF would ensure, in consultation with all other State departments, that the information posted on its website is made available, and the website link to the program providing the "baby boxes" and safe sleep education is posted on the website of every State department, and is updated as necessary. "Baby boxes" are made of durable cardboard, filled with essential items for newborns, such as diapers and baby wipes, and are large enough to serve as a crib for the first few months of an infant's life. New Jersey's program, a partnership between the State's Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board and The Baby Box Company, provides all expecting and new parents with a free "baby box" after the parents complete an online parenting education course. The program is anticipated to distribute approximately 105,000 "baby boxes" throughout the State in 2017.

Committee Categories

Teresa Ruiz (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document