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Adopt a resolution designating the Rio Vista Fire Station, replacing the Rio Vista Police Department, as a safe surrender site for newborns within 72 hours of birth, pursuant to Penal Code 271.5
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services recommends that the Board adopt a resolution designating the Rio Vista Fire Station, replacing the Rio Vista Police Department, as a safe surrender site for newborns within 72 hours of birth, pursuant to Penal Code Section 271.5.
SUMMARY:
First created in January 2001, the Safely Surrendered Baby (SSB) Law was signed permanently into California law on January 2006. The law’s intent is to save lives of newborn infants at risk of abandonment by encouraging parents or persons with lawful custody to safely surrender the infant within 72 hours of birth without fear of criminal prosecution for child abandonment. All public and private emergency rooms or other locations, typically fire stations that are approved by the board of supervisors or fire agency in each county are safe surrender sites. Health and Safety Code Section 1255.7(a) (1) (A) authorizes the Board of Supervisors to designate additional safe surrendered sites in their County.
On August 7, 2007, the Board designated the Rio Vista Police Department as a safe surrender site. It is the intent of this resolution and in the best interests of the City of Rio Vista, its residents and others to remove this site and designate the Rio Vista Fire Station as a safe surrender site.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this resolution to the County. Cities and/or fire departments will bear the costs for signage, information and outreach, policy development, training and any other administrative costs.
DISCUSSION:
The Safely Surrendered Baby (SSB) Law aims to prevent exposing infants to the risks of abandonment and provides a safe alternative for the surrender of a newborn baby in specified circumstances. It responds to the increasing number of infant deaths due to abandonment in unsafe locations. Data from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) indicates a generally decreasing trend of abandonments since enactment of the SSB Law.
The City of Rio Vista has requested to designate the Rio Vista Fire Station, replacing the Rio Vista Police Station as a safe surrender site. Rio Vista Fire Station is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round. The approval of this resolution will add to the previously designated safe surrender sites to include the Dixon Fire Department, the two fire stations in the Cordelia Fire District, all current and future fire stations in the City of Vacaville along with the Police Department, all fire stations in the City of Benicia, and all fire stations in the City of Fairfield.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to designate the Rio Vista Fire Department as a safe surrender site replacing the Rio Vista Police Department. This is not recommended as it is not in the best interest for the City of Rio Vista, its residents and others.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The City of Rio Vista has requested this change in designation.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION