HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10 - Safe Surrender Sites for NewbornsRESOLUTION NO. 2005- to
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH REQUESTING THE
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO DESIGNATE ALL MUNICIPAL
FIRE STATIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH AS "SAFE -
SURRENDER SITES" FOR NEWBORNS
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code section 1255.7, known as the "Safe
Haven Law," was enacted in 2000 in response to widespread reports of babies being abandoned
in trash bins and restrooms, and on the highways, and being discovered dead or in life -
threatening medical and physical condition; and
WHEREAS, the "Safe Haven Law" encourages persons with custody of unwanted
newborn children to anonymously surrender the newborn so that it may receive immediate
medical attention; and
WHEREAS, according to the California Department of Social Services, in the first two
years that the "Safe Haven Law" was in effect, 20 babies were safely- surrendered; but 88 babies
were still illegally abandoned, 20 of whom died; and
WHEREAS, the "Safe Haven Law" provides that (a) a parent or person having lawful
custody of a child 72 hours old or younger, who delivers the child to a designated "Safe -
Surrender Site," would be immune from criminal prosecution, (b) a person accepting custody of
a newborn at a "Safe- Surrender Site" must notify the County Child Protective Services Agency
within 48 hours, and (c) permits the person surrendering a newborn to anonymously provide
medical information to the person accepting custody; and
WHEREAS, the "Safe Haven Law" defines a "Safe- Surrender Site as a location
"designated by the board of supervisors of a county" to be responsible for accepting physical
custody of a newborn; and
WHEREAS, the Safe Haven Law provides immunity for the safe surrender site and the
personnel of the safe surrender site from civil, criminal, and administrative liability, and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach strongly supports the "Safe -
Surrender Site" program and desires that all City of Newport Beach fire stations be designated as
"Safe- Surrender Sites;"
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Newport Beach hereby declares,
finds, and determines as follows:
The City Council of the City of Newport Beach hereby formally requests that the Oran ge
County Board of Supervisors designate all fire stations within the City of Newport Beach as
"Safe- Surrender Sites" pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 1255.7.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 22nd day of February, 2005.
AYES: Heffernan, Rosansky, Webb, Daigle, Nichols, Mayor Bromberg
NOES:
ABSENT: Ridgeway
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH i
I, LaVonne M. Harkless, City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do
hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council is seven; that the foregoing
resolution, being Resolution No. 2005 -10 was duly and regularly introduced before and adopted by
the Citv Council of said City at a regular meeting of said Council, duly and regularly held on the
22nd day of February 2005, and that the same was so passed and adopted by the following vote, to
wit:
Ayes: Heffernan, Rosansky, Webb, Daigle, -Nichols, Mayor Bromberg
Noes: None
Absent: Ridgeway
Abstain: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the
official seal of said Citv this 23rd day of February 2005.
(Seal)
Citv Clerk
Newport Beach, California