HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 2005-13 RESOLUTION NO. 2 0 0 5—1 3
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH REQUESTING THE
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO
DESIGNATE ALL CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
MUNICIPAL FIRE STATIONS AS "SAFE-SURRENDER
SITE"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
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
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
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
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
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
The City Council of the City of Huntington Beach strongly supports the "Safe-Surrender
Site"program and desires that all City of Huntington Beach municipal fire stations be designated
as "Safe-Surrender Sites,"
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows:
The City Council of the City of Huntington Beach hereby formally requests that the
Orange County Board of Supervisors designate all fire stations within the City of Huntington
05reso/safe surrender 1
Resolution No. 2005-13
Beach jurisdiction as "Safe-Surrender Sites"pursuant to California Heath and Safety Code
Section 1255.7,
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach at a
regular meeting thereof held on the-92rd day of FPbruar--Y-- 200_,.,_.
REVIEWED AND APPROVED: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Administrator „I 4Cy Attorney
TIATED A PROVED:
Fire Chief
05reso/safe surrender 2
Res. No. 2005-13
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF ORANGE } ss:
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH }
I, JOAN L. FLYNN the duly elected, qualified City Clerk of the
City of Huntington Beach, and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of said City,
do hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of the
City of Huntington Beach is seven; that the foregoing resolution was passed
and adopted by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all the members of
said City Council at an regular meeting thereof held on the 22nd day of
February, 2005 by the following vote:
AYES: Hansen, Coerper, Sullivan, Hardy, Green, Bohr, Cook
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Ci Clerk and ex-offici lerk of the
City Council of the City of
Huntington Beach, California