Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout55A -SAFE SURRENDER SITE REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION ~ ~ CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: FEBRUARY 22, 2005 APPROVED TITLE: RESOLUTION FOR SAFE SURRENDER SITE PROGRAM o As Recommended o As Amended o Ordinance on 151 Reading o Ordinance on 2nd Reading o Implementing Resolution o Set Public Hearing For - / / I i - ( ... I:. ./'7 ../)-.. , ,~ .-, ..-'/ . (~:'Vl-'-_ v"'" J <J L ",~-- CITY MANAGER CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt a resolution requesting the Orange County Board of Supervisors to include all fire stations within the City of Santa Ana as designated safe surrender sites for newborns. DISCUSSION Since 1999, over 40 states have passed legislation designating safe surrender conditions for parents to relinquish infants they are unable to care for. The California Safely Surrendered Baby Law, also known as the Safe Haven Law or Newborn Abandonment Law, went into effect on January 1, 2001. 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. Current State law allows a parent or legal guardian to anonymously surrender an infant, three days old or younger, to any hospital emergency room or other site designated by the County Board of Supervisors. Each County Board of Supervisors designates the safe surrender sites within their jurisdiction. To date, the Orange County Board of Supervisors has designated Orangewood Children's Home and all hospital emergency rooms. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, however, has included all county and municipal fire stations as safe surrender sites. Information generated by radio and print media originating in Los Angeles may create confusion for Orange County residents by announcing that all fire stations are safe surrender sites. Orange County fire officials are now concerned that infants may be abandoned at Orange County fire stations. In order to ensure the safety of newborns, it is important that the Orange County Board of Supervisors designate all municipal and county fire stations are safe 55A-1 Resolution for Safe Surrender Site Program February 22, 2005 Page 2 surrender sites and implement procedures for accepting infants. Additionally, the Health & Safety Code confers civil, criminal, and administrative immunity upon the safe surrender site and their personnel. FISCAL IMPACT If included, the program would require the purchase of mother and child identification wrist bands and the posting of signs to identify Santa Ana fire stations as safe surrender sites at a cost of approximately $800. The Orange County Fire Authority, representing 22 cities, will be seeking Proposition 10 funds to cover the expenses related to this program. However, if required, funds are available in the Fire Department's Suppression/EMS, Other Materials & Supplies account (account no. 011-323- 6391) . (/ , APPROVED AS TO FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS: ip M. Gar" . Chief Department ':\-~~t' ~~(' l.2) 1\ ~~..: ~ Francisco Gutierrez Executive Director Finance & Mgmt. Services Agency '-./ 55A-2 RESOLUTION NO. 2005-024 MJV 02-14-2005 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING THE CITY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE SAFE SURRENDER SITES PROGRAM AND REQUESTING THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO DESIGNATE ALL MUNICIPAL FIRE STATIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF SANTA ANA JURISDICTION AS "SAFE- SURRENDER SITES" FOR NEWBORNS BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby, finds, determines and declares as follows: A. 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. B. 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. C. 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. D. 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. E. 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. F. 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. Resolution No. Page 1 of 2 55A-3 G. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana strongly supports the "Safe- Surrender Site" program and desires that all City of Santa Ana fire stations be designated as "Safe-Surrender Sites. Section 2. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana approves City's participation in the Safe Surrender Sites program and hereby formally requests that the Orange County Board of Supervisors designate all fire stations within the City of Santa Ana jurisdiction as "Safe-Surrender Sites" pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 1255.7. ADOPTED this day of ,2005. Miguel A. Pulido Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: Joseph W. Fletcher, City Attorney By: Michael Vigliotta Deputy City Attorney AYES: Council members: NOES: Council members: ABSTAIN: Council members: NOT PRESENT: Council members: CERTIFICATION OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY I, PATRICIA E. HEALY, Clerk of Council, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No. 2005-024 to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana on Date: Clerk of Council City of Santa Ana Resolution No. Page 2 of 2 55A-4