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Holcomb Signs Bill Legalizing Baby Boxes In Hospitals

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed into law Tuesday a measure legalizing baby boxes in hospitals while also sanctioning the state's two existing devices, both of which are in firehouses.

Baby boxes are intended to provide mothers with more anonymity when dropping off newborns. Current law gives people immunity from child abandonment charges only if the baby is delivered to another person.

But the bill imposes few safety regulations, which the Department of Child Services had balked at the legislation during session.

Tuesday's signing was part of several bills Holcomb sanctioned to wrap-up the 2017 legislative session, Holcomb's first as governor.

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