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Bill > SB2727
MS SB2727
MS SB2727Baby safety devices; provide for termination of parental rights and proceedings concerning the child.
summary
Introduced
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
In Committee
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Amend Section 43-15-201, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Clarify That Placement Of A Child In A Baby Safety Device Is A Termination Of Parental Rights And To Remove The Reference To A Person Designated By The Parent; To Amend Section 43-15-203, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require The Youth Court In The County Where A Baby Safety Device Is Located To Hold A Shelter Hearing Within 48 Hours Of The Department Of Child Protection Services Assuming The Care, Control And Custody Of The Child; To Amend Section 43-21-551, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Include A Child That Has Been Surrendered To A Baby Safety Device To The Language Requiring An Adjudicatory Hearing To Be Held Within 90 Days After The Filing Of The Petition; To Amend Section 43-21-603, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That Reasonable Efforts To Maintain A Child Within A Home Shall Not Be Required When A Child Has Been Surrendered To A Baby Safety Device; To Amend Section 43-21-451, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That Proceedings When A Child Has Been Surrendered To A Baby Safety Device Shall Be Initiated By The Filing Of A Petition In Youth Court; To Amend Section 93-15-109, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Authorize A Parent To Surrender A Child By Placing The Baby In A Baby Safety Device; To Amend Section 43-15-205, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Conform; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill clarifies that placing a child in a "baby safety device," which is a climate-controlled, secure device with an alarm system designed for anonymous surrender of an infant to an emergency medical services provider, automatically terminates parental rights. It also mandates that the youth court in the county where such a device is located must hold a shelter hearing within 48 hours after the Department of Child Protection Services (DCPS) assumes custody of the child, and that an adjudicatory hearing, which determines the legal status of the child, must be held within 90 days of filing a petition for a child surrendered to a baby safety device. Furthermore, the bill states that reasonable efforts to keep a child in their home are not required when a child has been surrendered to a baby safety device, and that proceedings for such children are initiated by filing a petition in youth court. The bill also explicitly authorizes parents to surrender a child by placing them in a baby safety device.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2727.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/SB/2700-2799/SB2727IN.htm |
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