Section 1275.7 Of Article 3. Regulations From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 3.
1275.7
. (a) The Legislature makes the following findings and
declarations:
(1) The theft of newborn babies from hospitals is a serious
societal problem that must be addressed.
(2) There is no statutory requirement that hospitals offering
maternity services establish policies and procedures that protect
newborns and their parents from physical harm and emotional distress
resulting from baby thefts.
(3) Societal change has popularized a more open and natural
birthing process, which, unfortunately, increases the risk of thefts
of newborns from hospitals and other health facilities offering
maternity services.
(4) Baby thefts detrimentally affect the emotional and physical
health of newborns and their families.
(5) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter
to take reasonable steps toward reducing baby thefts.
(b) On or before July 1, 1991, the state department shall adopt
regulations requiring any hospital or other health facility offering
maternity services to establish written policies and procedures
designed to promote the protection of babies and the reduction of
baby thefts from hospitals or other health facilities offering
maternity services. Those hospitals and facilities shall establish
the policies and procedures no later than 60 days after the
regulations become effective.
(c) The state department shall review the policies and procedures
established by the hospitals and other health facilities, as required
by subdivision (b), to determine compliance with the regulations
adopted by the state department, pursuant to subdivision (b).
(d) Hospitals and other health facilities offering maternity
services shall periodically review their policies and procedures
established pursuant to this section. The review need not occur more
frequently than every two years.