September Legislative Report

September 2002 Legislative Report

California: "Safe Surrender" Law must be Taught in Sexuality Education

Assembly Bill 2817 requires that any sexuality education course teach students about the Safe Arms for Newborns law, a law similar to "safe surrender" laws in other states. This law allows mothers to anonymously surrender an infant up to 72 hours old at a hospital emergency room or other designated location without fear of prosecution. The bill passed both houses of the California legislature on August 27th and 28th, and became law on September 29th.

Bill that Sought to Extend Sexuality Education and Sexuality Issues to Foster Care System Vetoed by Governor

Assembly Bill 2651 would have made changes to the law regarding foster youth in the state. It was passed by both houses of the California legislature on August 14th and 19th but was vetoed by the Governor on September 30th. The bill would have allowed sexuality education and gay and lesbian topics to be addressed in the training of potential foster parents. The bill also would have required that the Department of Social Services target gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender foster parents so that gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender foster youth could be placed in "culturally competent families of the same cultural background."

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