AB 2073
CFC SupportsChild protection: safe surrender
CFC Says
CFC supports AB 2073.
This bill would allow designated safe surrender locations in California to optionally install a secure drop-box style device where a parent can safely and anonymously leave a newborn baby.
Currently at Committee, having cleared 1 stage.
Legislative Progress
CFC's Position Letter
Assemblywoman Natasha Johnson
Bill Author
1021 O Street, Suite 4520
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: Support AB 2073
Dear Assemblywoman Johnson,
On behalf of tens of thousands of constituents, allied organizations, and more than 2,000 churches across California, the California Family Council proudly supports AB 2073, legislation that strengthens California’s commitment to protecting vulnerable newborns.
California’s Safe Surrender law was established to provide a compassionate, life-affirming option for women in crisis. AB 2073 builds on that foundation by helping ensure safe surrender is as safe, accessible, and effective as possible for mothers facing overwhelming circumstances.
AB 2073 allows designated Safe Surrender locations to install regulated infant safety devices commonly known in other states as “baby boxes.” These devices place surrendered infants in a secure, climate-controlled environment and immediately alert on-site staff to respond. This rapid notification system increases response speed, ensuring that trained personnel attend to the infant within minutes. These devices are designed to work in tandem with, not replace, in-person Safe Surrender options.
According to Safe Haven Baby Boxes, over 300 boxes have been installed across 20 states as of January 2025, each equipped with cutting-edge technology to ensure the safety and immediate care of surrendered infants.
For some parents overwhelmed by fear, trauma, or stigma, directly approaching personnel may feel unthinkable. Infant safety devices provide a critical last resort alternative for those in desperate situations who might otherwise abandon a child in an unsafe location. AB 2073 upholds and reinforces the intent of California’s Safe Surrender law: to protect life, reduce unsafe abandonment, and give every newborn the opportunity for safety and care. For these reasons, California Family Council respectfully urges a yes vote on AB 2073.
Sincerely,
Greg Burt
Vice President
California Family Council
Official Description
Existing law defines a safe-surrender site to mean a location designated by the board of supervisors of a county or by a local fire agency, or a location within a public or private hospital that is designated by that hospital, to be responsible for accepting physical custody of a minor child who is 72 hours old or younger from a parent or individual who has lawful custody of that child and who surrenders the child. Existing law requires personnel on duty at a safe-surrender site to accept physical custody of the minor child, and to notify child protective services or a county agency providing child welfare services as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours of accepting custody of the child. Existing law makes a violation of these provisions a crime. This bill would authorize, but not require, a safe-surrender site to install an infant safety device, as defined. The bill would require that an infant safety device be climate controlled, equipped with a dual alarm system, as described, and provide for a process or mechanism that maintains the anonymity of an individual who is surrendering a minor child. The bill would require a safe-surrender site that does install an infant safety device to visually check the device and test the above-described alarm system at specified intervals. Because a violation of the provisions relating to safe-surrender sites is a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Under existing law, a parent or other individual with lawful custody of a minor child 72 hours old or younger who voluntarily surrenders physical custody of the child to personnel on duty at a safe-surrender site cannot be prosecuted for child abandonment. This bill would additionally prevent a parent or other above-described individual from being prosecuted for child abandonment if the parent or individual voluntarily places the minor child in an infant safety device at a safe-surrender site. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.