HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-024 - Approving the City's Participation in the Safe Surrender Sites Program
MJV 02-14-2005
RESOLUTION NO. 2005-024
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 2005-024
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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.
By:
Michael Vigli tta
Deputy City Attorney
AYES:
Councilmembers:
Bist, Bustamante, Christy. Garcia. Pulido. Solorio
(6)
NOES:
Councilmembers:
None (0)
None (0)
ABSTAIN:
Councilmembers:
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers: Alvarez (1)
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
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City of Santa Ana
Resolution 2005-024
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