BILL NUMBER: SR 18	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senators Romero and Maldonado

                        JULY 5, 2005

   Relative to the Baby Bill of Rights.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
             HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST





   WHEREAS, There is hereby recognized the Baby Bill of Rights; and

   WHEREAS, Fulfillment of these rights requires a commitment of
adults on behalf of children; and

   WHEREAS, It is established that babies' brains grow most rapidly
and are the most vulnerable during the first months and years of
life, and that babies are fully dependent on their caregivers for all
aspects of nourishment and security:  their rights arise from this
inherent dependency. As adults, we believe that to secure these
rights is the responsibility of parents, family, community, business,
and elected representatives of our youngest citizens; now,
therefore, be it

   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, As persons
charged with and dedicated to upholding the rights of all babies, we
hereby pledge:
   (a) To make sense of our own lives so that we can recognize,
understand, and respond to our babies' signals and help them form
secure attachments;
   (b) To protect their health and well-being by providing nutritious
food, consistent and safe shelter, and protective clothing;
   (c) To protect them from exposure to harmful diseases and
substances, potential injury, and all violence;
   (d) To create and maintain nurturing environments and experiences
that promote physical, cognitive, social, and emotional stability and
growth;
   (e) To teach and model for them, as they grow, how to discern
right from wrong, how to make meaningful choices, and to obey the
law;
   (f) To teach them of their duty to their coinhabitants of the
earth and their responsibility to protect the earth for future
generations;
   (g) To make it the first priority of a parent or parents to
establish and maintain a healthy and stable family to ensure the baby'
s development for today, tomorrow, and the future;
   (h) To establish daily family rituals of time together for meals,
play, conversation, and reflection;
   (i) To hold them close and tell them they are loved;
   (j) To walk with them, show them, and tell them about the world
beyond;
   (k) To read or engage in preliteracy activities to model and
prepare them for lifelong learning;
    (l) To expect that community services for children are
individualized, coordinated, relationship-based, culturally
responsive, and family-centered;
   (m) To expect and maintain the highest standards for all
professionals and paraprofessionals whose occupations are
child-related; and
    (n) To expect local, state, and federal officials to instill
models of public generosity and to acknowledge excellence in group
efforts to uphold this Baby Bill of Rights; and be it further

   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.