3-18-2023 6:43pm

Mathews along with Schmidt Introduce Legislation to Ease Access to Newborn Safety Incubators

Beth Callahan Editor

Jean Schmidt, 62nd District, and Adam Mathews, 56th District, introduced legislation that is awaiting its official committee assignment.

COLUMBUS – This week State Representatives Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) introduced legislation that will make it easier for parents to surrender newborn babies recognizing they are incapable of caring for them.

Schmidt and Mathews’ legislation will reorganize existing statutes, clarifying and simplifying the way in which a newborn can be safely surrendered.

“Every child has right to life,” Schmidt said. “This bill ensures these babies have their rights to life.”

The bill seeks to ensure that babies will be surrendered instead of abandoned by their parents by making incubators at fire departments and police stations more accessible.

“Many of our communities in the state have stepped up to help mothers in tough situations,” Mathews said. “We trust our police and fire to help protect the most vulnerable.”

The measure now awaits its official committee assignment.