Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Taft proclaims February 2026 as ‘Safe Surrender Baby Awareness Month’
Summary
The Taft City Council unanimously proclaimed February 2026 as Safe Surrender Baby Awareness Month and received remarks from a local Safely Surrendered Baby Coalition representative about local outreach and a Feb. 18 press conference in Bakersfield.
The Taft City Council on Feb. 3 unanimously proclaimed February 2026 as Safely Surrendered Baby Awareness Month in Kern County and outlined local outreach to educate residents about the state’s safe-surrender option for newborns.
Mayor Pro Tem Josh Bryant read the proclamation, noting the state law was first created in January 2001 and that, per coalition figures, Kern County had 105 safely surrendered babies since 2006. The proclamation also announced a Feb. 18 press conference at Adventist Health Specialty, 3001 Select Avenue, Bakersfield, at 10 a.m.
A representative of the Safely Surrendered Baby Coalition, who accepted the proclamation, thanked the council and described the coalition’s education efforts in the county, saying the coalition unites agencies for presentations and public-service announcements to reduce unsafe infant abandonment.
The council did not take a formal vote to adopt an ordinance or change city policy; the proclamation is a ceremonial recognition and the council’s action was to present the proclamation at the meeting.
The coalition representative said the county total of 105 safe surrenders was recorded as of December 2025 and expressed appreciation for first responders and community partners involved in local outreach.
