Section 24520 Of Article 2. Shaken Baby Syndrome From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 20. >> Chapter 4.7. >> Article 2.
24520
. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Shaken baby syndrome is a medically serious, sometimes fatal,
matter affecting newborns and very young children. Shaking an infant
or child in anger is particularly dangerous.
(b) Vigorous shaking of an infant or child can result in bleeding
inside the head, causing irreversible brain damage, blindness,
cerebral palsy, hearing loss, spinal cord injury, seizures, learning
disabilities, and even death.
(c) While doctors have long recognized that shaking an infant or
child can cause injuries, many adults remain unaware of how dangerous
this practice can be.
(d) Studies have shown that exposure to materials about the
dangers of shaking a baby improved understanding of the effects of
shaking an infant or child.
(e) Shaken baby syndrome is preventable. Knowledge about shaken
baby syndrome can be significantly raised through education and
public awareness campaigns.
(f) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage public and
private collaboration in developing instructional materials regarding
shaken baby syndrome, and to encourage that these materials be
supplied to health facilities, midwives, and to the State Department
of Social Services free of charge.