State Legislature signs Simotas’s baby box bill

The New York State Assembly and State Senate have both passed Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas’s bill to establish a “Newborn Health and Safety Pilot” program, also known as the “baby box bill.”

The goal of the legislation is to reduce infant mortality in New York by giving safe, portable sleeping spaces (literally baby boxes) for infants six months or younger, in areas in the state where infant mortality rates are high.

“This is a low-tech, inexpensive, yet highly effective way to save babies’ lives,” Simotas said.

Each baby box has a firm mattress with a fitted sheet. They are meant to discourage high-risk behaviors.

The boxes also come with essential baby care items and educational information for new parents.

“We cannot ignore the reality for some new families where sleep deprivation and exhaustion, coupled with lack of money to afford a crib, means their babies are put to sleep in risky ways,” Simotas said.

The bill now goes to the governor to be signed into law.