Larry Klein
Mayor
Richard Mehlinger
Vice Mayor
Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember
Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember
Linda Sell
Councilmember
Charlsie Chang
Councilmember
Eileen Le
Councilmember
September 15, 2026
T
he Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
R
E: Assembly Bill 1628 (Rodriguez): Child protection: safe surrender –
REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE
D
ear Governor Newsom,
O
n behalf of the City of Sunnyvale, we respectfully request that you sign AB 1628 into law. AB 1628, the Keeping Infants from Danger (K.I.D.) Act, which extends California’s Safe Surrender law from 72 hours to 30 days.
C
alifornia’s Safely Surrendered Baby Law has long served as a critical, life-saving measure, providing parents in crisis with a safe, legal, and confidential option to surrender an infant without fear of prosecution. This law reflects our state’s deep commitment to protecting vulnerable newborns while recognizing the complex and often overwhelming circumstances that some parents face.
H
owever, the current 72- hour timeframe no longer reflects the realities of modern childbirth and postpartum recovery. Many parents experience significant physical and emotional challenges well beyond the first few days after birth, including postpartum depression, medical complications, and extended hospital stays following cesarean deliveries. In these circumstances, a narrow 72 -hour window can unintentionally limit access to a compassionate alternative at a time when it is most needed.
A
B 1628 thoughtfully addresses this gap by extending the safe surrender period to 30 days. This change aligns California with many other states and ensures that the law remains responsive to evolving medical knowledge and the lived experiences of families.
By providing additional time, the bill strengthens the law’s effectiveness while preserving its core protections, including confidentiality, immunity from prosecution, and the opportunity for reunification.
Attachment 10
The Honorable Gavin Newsom, Governor
September 15, 2026
Sunnyvale supports AB 1628 as it aligns with Goal SN-3 and SN-6 (Effective Emergency Response Capability) by protecting vulnerable populations and preventing avoidable emergency situations. Expanding the safe surrender window reduces risk to infants and limits crisis-driven incidents requiring public safety intervention. This reflects the City’s commitment to safeguarding life through practical, prevention-focused policies.
Compassion lies at the heart of the City of Sunnyvale’s mission. As such, we recognize the importance of policies that meet people where they are, especially during moments of crisis. AB 1628 will help prevent unsafe abandonment, save lives, and ensure tha t parents have the time and support necessary to make informed decisions in the best interest of their child.
For these reasons, the City of Sunnyvale respectfully urges you to sign AB 1628 into law.
Thank you for your consideration of the City of Sunnyvale's position on this important legislation. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Chief Daniel Pistor, Director of Public Safety at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Larry Klein
Mayor
Cc: Assembly Member Patrick Ahrens
City Council
Tim Kirby, City Manager
Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Daniel Pistor, Director of Public Safety
Attachment 10