Bill Text: FL S2738 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

Florida Senate Resolution 2738 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Safe Haven for Newborns/February 2010

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-04-30 - Died, not introduced, companion bill(s) passed, see HR 9033 (Adopted) [S2738 Detail]

Download: Florida-2010-S2738-Introduced.html

 
Florida Senate - 2010                            (NP)    SR 2738 
 
By Senator Rich 
34-02246-10                                           20102738__ 
1                          Senate Resolution 
2         A resolution recognizing February 2010 as Safe Haven 
3         for Newborns Month in Florida and commending the 
4         Gloria M. Silverio Foundation for its efforts on 
5         behalf of newborns. 
6 
7         WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature adopted legislation in 
8  2000 establishing safe haven facilities where parents could 
9  anonymously place newborn infants, who might otherwise be 
10  abandoned, without fear of prosecution, and 
11         WHEREAS, in memory of his wife, Gloria, Nick Silverio 
12  established “A Safe Haven For Newborns” in 2001, a project of 
13  the Gloria M. Silverio Foundation, in response to the tragedy of 
14  newborn abandonment in Florida, and 
15         WHEREAS, the project that began in Miami has now spread 
16  through a grassroots effort to reach all 67 counties in Florida, 
17  partnering with the Florida Fire Chiefs Association, emergency 
18  medical services, hospitals, and other organizations and 
19  agencies in the state, to raise awareness and provide responses 
20  to mothers who ask where they might place their infants, and 
21         WHEREAS, by establishing a multilingual referral help line 
22  that is constantly staffed with a network of volunteers and 
23  providing public service announcements and a publicly accessible 
24  website of information, “A Safe Haven for Newborns” has become 
25  the primary information resource in Florida alerting parents as 
26  to how they can anonymously and safely place their newborn 
27  infants, thereby saving lives, and 
28         WHEREAS, since the inception of the safe haven law in 2000, 
29  at least 143 newborns have been placed in safe haven facilities, 
30  due in large measure to the leadership of the Gloria M. Silverio 
31  Foundation, and 
32         WHEREAS, the Gloria M. Silverio Foundation, in creating “A 
33  Safe Haven for Newborns,” has performed a unique service to 
34  communities in this state and provided vital leadership for 
35  others in our society who seek remediation to the tragedy of 
36  infant abandonment, NOW, THEREFORE, 
37 
38  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 
39 
40         That February 2010 is recognized as “Safe Haven for 
41  Newborns Month” in Florida and the Gloria M. Silverio Foundation 
42  is commended for its efforts to protect newborns through safe 
43  haven facilities and support. 
44         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with 
45  the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to Nick E. Silverio 
46  of “A Safe Haven for Newborns” as a tangible token of the 
47  sentiments of the Florida Senate.