HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdopt Resolution No. 2005-13 Requesting the Orange County Bo Dom . C-)L'S()
Council/Agency Meeting Held: b
Deferred/Continued to:
Approved ❑ Conditionally Approved ❑ Denied City QV-1rkl S' natu
Council Meeting Date: February 22, 2005 Department ID Number: FD 05-004
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: HONORABLE MAY
,9R AND CITY C UNCIL MEMBERS
SUBMITTED BY: PEN�O�CLBRETH-GRAFT, Cit Administrator
PREPARED BY: DUANE OLSON, Fire C iefe�oj
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING ALL CITY OF HUNTH Gib' Nk =-
BEACH MUNICIPAL FIRE STATIONS AS "SAFE-SURRENMW� ,
SITES FOR NEWBORNS
Statement of Issue,Funding Source,Recommended Action,Alternative Action(s),Analysis,Environmental Status,kttachihent(s)
Statement of Issue: This resolution designating all Huntington Beach fire stations as "safe-
surrender" sites for newborns is being proposed for adoption.
Funding Source: None required.
Recommended Action: MOTION TO:
Adopt the attached resolution designating all Huntington Beach fire stations as "safe-
surrender" sites for newborns.
Alternative Action(s): Do not approve the attached resolution.
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
MEETING DATE: February 22, 2005 DEPARTMENT ID NUMBER: FD 05-004
Analysis: Since 1999, over 40 states have passed legislation designating safe surrender
conditions for parents who wish to relinquish infants they are unable to care for. Governor
Davis signed the California Safely Surrendered Baby Law in September 2000. The purpose of
the law is to protect babies from being hurt or killed when they are abandoned in unsafe areas,
such as trash bins or dumpsters.
This law allows a parent or legal guardian to confidentially surrender an infant, who is three
days old or younger, to any hospital emergency room or other site designated by the County
Board of Supervisors. As long as the baby has not been abused or neglected, the person may
surrender the baby to the designated site without fear of arrest or prosecution. It also provides
immunity for the safe surrender site and the personnel of the safe surrender site from civil,
criminal, and administrative liability.
The Orange County Fire Authority, representing 22 cities, and the other Orange County cities,
are in the process of adopting it. If the City of Huntington Beach adopts it, it would provide the
same level of service in our City as is offered in the rest of the County with respect to the
safety of newborns.
Environmental Status., Not applicable.
Attachment(s):
City Clerk's
Page Number No. Description
1. Resolution designating all City of Huntington Beach municipal
fire stations as "safe-surrender" sites for newborns aoos 3
RCA Author: Olson/Justen
FD05 004 Fire Stations as Safe Havens -2- 2/3/2005 2:51 PM
ATTACHMENT # 1
RESOLUTION NO_ 2005-13
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 Califomia 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 2 9 n d day of F Y„ y 200__c, .
REVIEWED AND APPROVED: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Adnnmistrator I C y Attorney
ti
_MU
IATED 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
CV Clerk and ex-offici Jerk of the
City Council of the City of
Huntington Beach, California
RCA GSHEET
RO TIN
U
INITIATING DEPARTMENT: FIRE
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING ALL CITY OF
HUNTINGTON BEACH MUNICIPAL FIRE STATIONS AS
"SAFE-SURRENDER" SITES FOR NEWBORNS
COUNCIL MEETING DATE: February 22, 2005
RCA ATTACHMENTS STATUS
Ordinance (wlexhibits & legislative draft if applicable) Not Applicable
Resolution (wlexhibits & legislative draft if applicable) Attached
Tract Map, Location Map and/or other Exhibits Not Applicable
Contract/Agreement (wlexhibits if applicable)
(Signed in full by the City Attorne Not Applicable
Subleases, Third Party Agreements, etc.
(Approved as to form by City Attorney) Not Applicable
Certificates of Insurance (Approved by the City Attorney) Not Applicable
Financial Impact Statement (Unbudget, over $5,000) Not Applicable
Bonds (If applicable) Not Applicable
Staff Report (If applicable) Not Applicable
Commission, Board or Committee Report (If applicable) Not Applicable
Findings/Conditions for Approval and/or Denial Not Applicable
EXPLANATION FOR MISSING ATTACHMENTS
REVIEWED RETURNED FOR ARD
Administrative Staff
Assistant City Administrator (initial) { )
City Administrator Initial
City Clerk { )
EXPLANATION FOR RETURN OF ITEM:
Only)(Below Space For City Clerk's Use
RCA Author: Olson/Justen