California's "Safely Surrender Babies Law" went into effect on January 1, 2001. This law allows a birth parent, or any adult with legal custody of the child, who is either unwilling or unable to care for their newborn the option to legally, confidentially, and safely surrender that child to a hospital emergency room or other designated location within 3 days of birth. This law protects the parent or guardian from arrest or prosecution for abandonment as long as the baby is not abused or neglected.

In August 2002, Supervisor Tony Hall sponsored a resolution (PDF)  to establish the Safely Surrender Babies for Newborns Task Force that would be in charge of determining how San Francisco should continue to implement this law.

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Task Force Minutes and Agendas