HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-12; City Council; 19317; Implementation of Safe Haven SitesCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL
AB# 19,317
MTG. 02/12/08
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BABY PROGRAM AT ALL CITY FIRE STATIONS
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RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt Resolution No. 2008-040 designating all fire stations as Safe Haven Sites under
the Safely Surrendered Baby Law.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
To ensure continued safety and protection for children, Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation
October 7, 2005, extending the Safely Surrendered Baby Law (SSB) permanently beginning January
1, 2006. The (SSB) program encourages a parent, or a person with legal custody, to surrender a
newborn up to three days old, to reception centers such as hospitals or fire stations, rather than
abandon them in untenable environments with minimal chance for survival. Initially implemented on
January 1, 2001, the SSB Law established hospitals as safe haven sites and allowed the counties to
designate other facilities, such as fire stations, as safe haven sites. On December 11, 2007, the San
Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the designation of fire stations that are staffed full-time
as safe haven sites recognizing that fire stations have always been thought of as places where people
can go to get help and a fire station can be less intimidating than a hospital.
No names are required and the parent(s) will not be subject to prosecution for child abandonment.
The baby will receive needed medical treatment and be placed in an adoptive home. There is a
mechanism for parents to reclaim the infant within 14 days if deemed appropriate by the County Child
Welfare Services.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines section1537B, this action
does not constitute a "project" within the meaning of CEQA and therefore, does not require an
environmental review.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Training and materials to implement the program in the City fire stations will cost the Fire Department
under $300. Sufficient funds are available in the General Fund, Fire Department Emergency
Operations Budget. There are no annual fees or cost associated with the program.
EXHIBITS:
1.Resolution No. 2008-040 designating City fire stations as safe surrender sites.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Kevin Crawford, Fire Chief, 760-931-2141. kcraw@ci.carlsbad.ca.us
FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONLY
COUNCIL ACTION: APPROVED
DENIED
CONTINUED
WITHDRAWN
AMENDED
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CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC
CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN
RETURNED TO STAFF
OTHER - SEE MINUTES
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RESOLUTION NO. 2008-040
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
3 CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING CITY FIRE
STATIONS AS SAFE SURRENDER SITES ._
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WHEREAS, SB1368, Safely Surrendered Baby Program, became California State Law
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in 2001; and
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WHEREAS, Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation October 7, 2005 extending the
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Safely Surrendered Baby Law permanently beginning January 1, 2006; and
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WHEREAS, the Safely Surrendered Baby Program allows parents to surrender unwanted
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infants that are less than three days old to employees at designated facilities safely, confidentially,
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and without fear of prosecution; and
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WHEREAS, the County of San Diego has authorized fire stations that are staffed full time
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to be designated as Safe Surrender Sites; and
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WHEREAS, the Safely Surrendered Baby law provides a safe alternative to desperate
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mothers who are unwilling or unable to keep their babies; and
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WHEREAS, a parent or person with lawful custody has up to 14 days from the time of
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surrender to reclaim their baby; and
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WHEREAS, as of January 2007, 182 newborns have been safely surrendered in
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California; and19
WHEREAS, an infant abandoned in untenable environments has a low probability of
survival; and
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WHEREAS, a local fire station may provide a less intimidating alternative than a hospital
for a frightened and desperate parent and offers an endangered infant a chance for survival.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that:
1. The Fire Chief or his designee is hereby authorized and directed to engage in the25
above-described program for the Carlsbad Fire Department.2o
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council
of the City of Carlsbad on the 12th day of February, 2008, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Council Members Lewis, Kulchin, Hall, Packard and Nygaard.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ATTEST:
L0RRAIN
(SEAL)
IF THIS FIRE STATION IS UNATTENDEDPICK UP THE EMERGENCY PHONE AND ASK FOR ASSISTANCE