BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  ACR 136
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 12, 2012

                             ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
                                Nancy Skinner, Chair
                      ACR 136 (Ma) - As Amended:  April 9, 2012
           
          SUBJECT  :   Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week.  

           SUMMARY  :   Supports efforts to protect children through 
          education and awareness activities that enable parents to keep 
          children safe from injury and neglect; recognizes, and requests 
          that the Governor proclaim, the week of April 15 to April 21, 
          2012, as "Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week" in the State of 
          California; and, the Legislature shall undertake, and encourage 
          the Governor to undertake, all practicable efforts to educate 
          parents and  all others who care for children about Shaken Baby 
          Syndrome and ways to cope with frustration and anger.     
          Specifically,  this resolution  makes the following legislative 
          findings:

          1)The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes that babies, 
            infants, and toddlers are especially vulnerable to abuse head 
            trauma, also known as "Shaken Baby Syndrome"; and, Shaken Baby 
            Syndrome and other inflicted head trauma is now recognized as 
            a leading cause of child fatalities among children who are 
            physically abused.

          2)It is estimated that during an average year in California, up 
            to 280 children under five will require medical attention 
            because of inflicted head injuries, and two-thirds of these 
            injuries are likely to occur in babies or infants younger than 
            one year of age.

          3)Shaken Baby Syndrome and the injuries inflicted are 
            preventable; and the infliction of injuries often occurs when 
            a parent or caregiver is not prepared to cope with the 
            frustration and anger that can result from the inconsolable 
            crying of an infant.

          4)Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention programs have demonstrated 
            that educating new parents can help protect children from 
            injury and can result in a significant reduction in the number 
            of Shaken Baby Syndrome cases with minimal costs and effort.  

           FISCAL EFFECT  :   None








                                                                  ACR 136
                                                                  Page  2


           REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :   

           Support 
           
          Child Abuse Prevention Center 

           Opposition 
           
          None on file.

           
          Analysis Prepared by  :    Anna McCabe / RLS. / (916) 319-2800