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Safely Surrendered Baby Law
The Safely Surrendered Baby Law (SSB) was implemented on January 1, 2001, in response to the increasing number of abandoned baby deaths in California, as reported by media accounts. The law is intended to spare the life of an infant by encouraging parents or persons with lawful custody to safely surrender an infant at a "safe surrender site" within 72 hours of the child's birth rather than abandoning them in an unsafe location. In October 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation extending the SSB Law permanently, effective January 1, 2006.
Fact Sheets
Safely Surrendered Baby Law Fast Facts
Safely Surrendered Baby Law Fast Facts - Spanish
Safely Surrendered Baby Campaign Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | FAQ in Spanish
Related Legislation
Text of Senate Bill 1368 - Safe Haven Law - Established the Safely Surrendered Baby Law.
Text of Senate Bill 116 - SSB Law Amendment - Makes the SSB Law permanent.
Text of Senate Bill 139 - SSB Law Amendment - Redefines "safe-surrender sites."
Text of Assembly Bill 2817 Sex Education Course Content and the SSB Law - Requires that students be advised of the SSB Law in public schools.
Reports and Notices
2003 Safely Surrendered Baby Law (SSB) Report the the Legislature
2005 Safely Surrendered Baby Law (SSB) Report To The Legislature
CDSS ACL regarding Safely Surrendered Baby Law
Contacts
For more information, please call the Office of Child Abuse Prevention at (916) 651-6960.
For media inquiries, please call the Office of Public Affairs at (916) 657-2268.
Safely Surrendered Baby Publications
- PUB 400 - Brochure
- PUB 400 - Brochure (Spanish)
- PUB 401 - Poster (poster size is 2MB)
- PUB 401 - Poster (Spanish) (poster size is 2MB)
