HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-25 City Council (10)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: FIRE
OCTOBER 25, 2004 CMR: 445:04
DESIGNATING FIRE STATIONS AS "SAFE CHILD SURPd~]NDER"
SITES
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
BACKGROUND
In 2001, the State of California enacted Health and Safety Code section 1255.7 and Penal
Code section 271.5, the Newborn Abandonment Law, also referred to as the "Safely
Surrendered Baby" law. The law provides that no parent or other person having lawful
custody of a newborn 72 hours old or younger may be prosecuted for child abandonment
if he or she voluntarily surrenders physical custody of a child to an employee on duty at a
public or private hospital emergency room or any other safe surrender site.
On August 3, 2004, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution
designating Santa Clara County fire stations as "Safe Surrender" sites in accordance with
the Safely Surrendered Baby law. The Board designated District fire stations as safe
surrender sites to increase awareness of the law and expand the number of safe surrender
sites within the County.
DISCUSSION
In order to improve access to places where parents may safely surrender their infants,
City owned fire stations will be designated safe surrender sites. Firefighters will be
trained to take physical custody of a surrendered newborn and otherwise comply with the
requirements of Health and Safety Code section 1255.7
Each fire station will be identified as a safe surrender site by posting the statewide logo
that has been adopted by the State Department of Social Services.
RESOURCE IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact to the City. Policy development and training for this
program is minimal and will be handled through the existing training schedule.
CMR 445:04 Page 1 of 2
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This procedure is consistent with existing City policies.
Prepared by:JUDY JEWELL, Acting Fire Chief
City Manager Approval: __
EMILY HARRISON’
Assistant City Manager
CMR 445:04 Page 2 of 2