Bill filed would allow babies up to 12-months-old to be surrendered, mothers wouldn’t be prosecuted Advocates of the Baby Moses Law believe bill will decrease child abuse, neglect Tags: SAN ANTONIO – Texas was the first state in the nation to enact a Baby Moses Law allowing mothers to safely surrender their babies at hospitals, fire stations and police stations, without penalty. Now, advocates say Texas needs to follow other states like North Dakota and Missouri that have extended their laws, allowing mothers to surrender babies up to 12 months. Advocates are celebrating new legislation that was just filed in the Texas house.