HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-18 - Designate all Municipal Fire Stations within the City Jurisdiction as "Safe-Surrender Sites" for NewbornsRESOLUTION NO. 05-18
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THE
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO
DESIGNATE ALL MUNICIPAL FIRE STATIONS WITHIN
THE CITY OF COSTA MESA JURISDICTION AS "SAFE -
SURRENDER SITES" FOR NEWBORNS.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA HEREBY RESOLVES
AS FOLLOWS:
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 Laud' 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 Costa Mesa strongly supports the
"Safe -Surrender Site" program and desires that all City of Costa Mesa fire stations
be designated as "Safe -Surrender Sites;"
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City Council of the City of
Costa Mesa hereby formally requests that the Orange County Board of Supervisors
designate all fire stations within the City of Costa Mesa jurisdiction as "Safe -Surrender
Sites" pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 1255.7.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5" day of April, 2005.
ATTEST:
Depu ity Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa
APPROVED AS TO FORM
City Attorney
2
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF ORANGE) as
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, JULIE FOLCIK, Deputy City Clerk and ex -officio Clerk of the City Council of the
City of Costa Mesa, hereby certify that the above and foregoing Resolution No. 05 -la
was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City Council at a regular
meeting thereof held on the 5"' day of April, 2005, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Mansoor, Monahan, Bever, Dixon, Foley
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of
the City of Costa Mesa this 6"' day of April, 2005.
DeputKCity Clerk and ex -officio Clerk of
the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa