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Panel advances bill to extend California's safe‑surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days
Summary
The Assembly Human Services Committee voted to send AB 1628 to appropriations after testimony from fire chiefs and child‑safety groups supporting an extension of the safe surrender window from 72 hours to 30 days to reduce risky abandonments and account for postpartum challenges.
Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez introduced AB 1628, the "Keeping Infants from Danger Act," which would extend California's safe‑surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days.
Rodriguez said the extension would provide mothers more time to recover physically and emotionally and ensure that postpartum complications or depression do not force life‑threatening decisions within an arbitrarily short window. "This is a life‑saving measure that meets mothers where they are, offering support instead of limitation and ensuring newborns have the opportunity for a safe and secure future," she said.
Witnesses including Ovet Franco of the California Fire Chiefs Association and representatives of child abuse prevention and family resource organizations testified in support, noting fire departments serve as designated safe‑surrender sites and that extra time can preserve confidentiality while improving access. The witnesses said the measure builds on two decades of California's safe surrender law and maintains existing protections.
Committee members thanked the author for the work; with committee amendments accepted, the bill was moved to the Assembly Appropriations Committee with an "aye" recommendation.
Action: The committee voted to move AB 1628 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee as amended.
What happens next: AB 1628 goes to Appropriations for fiscal review and any additional amendments before floor consideration.
