Knoxville, Tenn. — Blount County State Representative Tom Stinnett (R-District 20) has introduced House Bill 368, a proposed piece of legislation that would mandate changes to the Tennessee high school curriculum. The bill aims to educate students in grades 9 through 12 about the state’s Safe Haven law, which allows parents to legally surrender newborns without facing criminal consequences.
According to Stinnett, the goal of the bill is to provide young people with crucial information about available options during moments of crisis. “This is about taking care of humanity and making sure people know about all the options out there and helping someone who is going through a crisis,” said Stinnett.
Stinnett is collaborating with Knox County State Senator Becky Duncan Massey in hopes of advancing the legislation through the state’s legislative process. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that students are aware of the Safe Haven law as they navigate their lives.
“This is just making sure that young people know this option is out there, you know, as they go through life,” Stinnett added.
The Safe Haven law allows parents to surrender their newborns at designated locations, such as hospitals, fire stations, or police stations, without fear of legal repercussions. Supporters of the bill believe that educating students about this law could provide an important alternative to other options, such as abortion, in times of crisis.
Monica Kelsey, the founder and CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, praised the proposed legislation. Kelsey’s organization has been instrumental in the establishment of Safe Haven Baby Boxes across the state. On Tuesday, Morristown will celebrate the installation of the 19th Safe Haven Baby Box in Tennessee.
“I think it’s a good thing for Tennessee,” Kelsey said, reflecting on the growing initiative in the state. “I hope that every state becomes as proactive as Tennessee has become in the past couple of years.”
Tennessee has quickly become one of the leading states in the country for the number of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, ranking among the top six. The legislation introduced by Stinnett seeks to further bolster Tennessee’s position as a proactive leader in supporting both parents and children in difficult situations.
The bill’s supporters hope that by educating students about the Safe Haven law, they will be better equipped to make informed decisions if faced with a crisis in the future. “The main thing is it gives them the opportunity to know they have an option in crisis situations as opposed to abortion,” Stinnett explained.
As House Bill 368 moves forward in the legislative process, its proponents are hopeful that the initiative will spark positive change for both young people and the wider community, ensuring that more lives are protected and supported during times of hardship.
