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1/24/2005 <br />ORIGINAL <br />RESOLUTION NO. 14623 <br />A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD <br />CITY AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ALLOW THE CITY TO <br />PARTICIPATE IN THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO SAFE HAVEN <br />PROGRAM BY DESIGNATING CITY FIRE STATIONS AS "SAFE <br />HAVEN' SITES FOR THE SURRENDER OF NEWBORN INFANTS <br />PURSUANT TO STATE OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY <br />CODE SECTION 1255.7 AND TO EXECUTE ANY AGREEMENTS <br />IMPLEMENTING SAME <br />WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Redwood City is concerned with the <br />occurrence of newborn infants being abandoned in San Mateo County; and <br />WHEREAS, the State has enacted Health and Safety Code section 1255.7, the <br />"Newborn Abandonment Law," that provides no parent or person having lawful custody <br />of a newborn 72 hours old or younger may be prosecuted for child abandonment if he or <br />she voluntarily surrenders physical custody of the child to any employee on duty at a <br />hospital emergency room or other safe surrender site that may be designated by a <br />county board of supervisors; and <br />WHEREAS, desiring to improve access to places where infants may be safely <br />surrendered, the San Mateo County Health Services Department ( "County Health <br />Services ") will propose to the County Board of Supervisors that all fire stations within <br />the County become "Safe Havens" under the Newborn Abandonment Law due to ease <br />of accessibility and a low level of intimidation; and <br />WHEREAS, County Health Services has requested that each City /District in the <br />County determine if its fire stations may be utilized as "Safe Haven" sites for the <br />surrender of newborns; and <br />WHEREAS, the Fire Chief and City Manager have determined that it is feasible <br />and desirable to participate in the "Safe Haven" program should the County Board of <br />Supervises request that all fire stations located in the County serve as "Safe Haven" <br />sites; and <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY <br />OF REDWOOD CITY THAT: <br />The City Manager is authorized to have the City participate in the County of San <br />Mateo "Safe Haven" program by designating City Fire Stations as "Safe Haven" <br />sites for the surrender of newborn infants pursuant to State of California Health <br />and Safety Code section 1255.7 and to execute any agreements implementing <br />same. <br />2. This resolution will go into effect upon adoption. <br />Atty /Reso /Reso.1512 14623 <br />011805 * Muff # 301 <br />