Res 20-96 RESOLUTION NO. 20-96
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, ENDORSING STATE HOUSE BILL
257 AND COMPANION STATE SENATE BILL 200, MAKING IT
AN ACT OF CHILD ABUSE FOR A PERSON 21 YEARS OF AGE
OR OLDER TO IMPREGNATE A CHILD UNDER 16 YEARS OF
AGE, AND THAT SUCH CRIME WOULD CONSTITUTE A FELONY
OF THE THIRD DEGREE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES;
PROVIDINGAN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on November 16, 1995, State Representative Tom
Warner, District 82-Stuart, filed House Bill 257, which would make
it an act of child abuse pursuant to F.S. 827.04(4) for a person 21
years of age or older to impregnate a child under 16 years of age,
and that such crime would constitute a felony of the third degree;
and
WHEREAS, on November 14, 1995, State Senator Locke Burt,
16th District-Ormond Beach/Deland, pre-filed Senate Bill 200, which
is a companion bill to House Bill 257; and
WHEREAS, both HB 257 and SB 200 also require a young
mother under the age of 16 to name the child's father and to provide
a DNA sample from the baby before she can receive any financial
assistance; and
WHEREAS, both HB 257 and SB 200 would permit a young
mother who refuses to identify the father of her child to be charged
with a misdemeanor of the second degree; and
W~EREAS, both HB 257 and SB 200 are designed to close the
loopholes in the current Statutory Rape laws in that consent of a
young girl under the age of 16 to sexual relations with an adult
male, 21 years and older, or the girl's lack of chastity, will no
longer be a defense since the bills clearly state that the offense
is child abuse; and
WHEREAS, according to the 1995 Annual Report on the Impact
of Teenaqe Preqnancy in Florida, which was developed by the Florida
Education and Employment Council for Women and Girls, 3 out of every
4 teenage pregnancies can be traced back to an adult male, many 10
to 15 years older than the girl; and
WHEREAS, according to the same report cited above, adult
men father 77% of births among high school-age girls, and 51% of
births among junior high school-age girls; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that teenage pregnancies in
Florida cost taxpayers nearly 1.2 billion annually, when factoring
in regular and at-risk prenatal care, emergency room and
hospitalization, perinatal intensive care, re-hospitalization,
special education, developmental services, AFDC, Medicaid, crimes
and child abuse; and
WHEREAS, one study found that 66% of the teenagers who
become pregnant were sexually abused with histories of rape, sexual
abuse and physical abuse; and
WHEREAS, it is reported that 60% of adolescents giving
birth for the first time have their delivery fees covered by public
funds.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: That the City of Delray Beach categorically,
and without reservations, endorses House Bill 257 and its companion
bill, Senate Bill 200, and strongly urges all State Representatives
and State Senators to support these bills.
Section 2: That the City Clerk is directed to forward a
copy of this Resolution to Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, members
of the Florida Senate, members of the Florida House of
Representatives, Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners,
Florida League of Cities, Children's Services Council and Palm Beach
County School Board members.
Section 3: That this resolution shall take effect
immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session on this the 5th day
of March, 1996.
ATTEST:
City Clerk~
-2- Res. No. 20-96
Board of County Commissioners County Administrator
Ken L. Foster, Chairman Robert Weisman
Butt Aaronson, Vice Chairman
Karen T. Marcus
Carol A. Roberts
Warren H. Newell
Mary McCarty ~
Maude Ford Lee
April 8, 1996
Alison MacGregor Harty
City Clerk
City of Delray Beach
100 N. W. First Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33444
Dear Ms. Harty:
This letter acknowledges receipt of Resolution No. 20-96, of the
City Commission of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, endorsing
State House Bill 257 and companion State Senate Bill 200, making it
an act of Child Abuse for a person 21 years of age or older to
impregnate a child under 16 years of age, and that such crime would
constitute a felon of the third degree; and for other purposes;
providing an effective date.
The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners officially
received and filed your correspondence at the April 2nd Board
meeting. A copy of your Resolution 20-96 was sent to the Palm
Beach County Legislative Delegation.
Sir~ely, ~'i.~
S~ndra K. Seog //
Agenda Coordinator ~
cc: Legislative Delegation
"An Equal Opportunity - Affirmative Action Employer"
P.O. Box 1989 West Palm Beach, Florida 33402-1989 (407) 355-2030 FAX: (407) 355-3982
Board of County Commissioners County Administrator
Ken L. Foster, Chairman Robert Weisman
Burt Aaronson, Vice Chairman
Karen T. Marcus
Carol A. Roberts
Warren H. Newell
Mary McCarty ~
Maude Ford Lee
March 11, 1996
Ms. Alison MacGregor Harry
City Clerk
City of Delray Beach
100 N.W. 1st Avenue
Delray Beach, Florida 33444
Dear Ms. Harty:
This will acknowledge receipt of Resolution No. 20-96 adopted by
the City Commission of Delray Beach March 5, 1996.
Please be assured that I will arrange to have this document
placed on the County Commission Agenda to be officially received
and filed as soon as possible.
inc ,
K~.~,.~ t er, Chairman
Pa~l~m 'Be~ County Commission, District 6
KLF/nes
RECEIVED
CITY CLERK
"An Equal Opportunity - Affirmative Action Employer"
~printodon recycled paper P.O. Box 1989 West Palm Beach, Florida 33402-1989 (407) 355-2001 FAX: (407) 355-3990
£1TV DELIlI:IV BER£H
DELRAY BEACH 100 N.W. 15t AVENUE * DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA 33444 s 407/243-7000
~ll4~ica Ci~
1993
March 6, 1996
The Honorable Lawton Chiles
Office of the Governor
State of Florida
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Dear Governor Chiles:
Enclosed please find a copy of Resolution No. 20-96 which
endorses State House Bill 257 and companion State Senate Bill
200, making it an act of child abuse for a person 21 years of age
or older to impregnate a child under the age of 16, and that such
crime would constitute a felony of the third degree. Several
other measures as described in the resolution are also proposed
in an effort to combat this very serious problem.
This resolution was passed and adopted by the City Commission of
the City of Delray Beach, Florida, in regular session on March 5,
1996.
Your serious consideration is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Alison MacGregor Harry
City Clerk
AM/q/sm
Enclosure
THE EFFORT ALWAYS MATTERS
Pr/n~ed on Recycled Paper
MEMORANDUM
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS
FROM: CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM ~ ~'~'- MEETING OF MARCH 5, 1996
RESOLUTION NO, 20-96 IN SUPPORT OF STATE HOUSE BILL 257
AND STATE SENATE BILL 200
DATE: FEBRUARY 29, 1996
We have received a request from the Highlands County Board of
County Commissioners to adopt a resolution in support of House Bill
257 and its companion Senate Bill 200. These bills would make it
an act of child abuse for a person 21 years of age or older to
impregnate a child under 16 years of age, and that such crime would
constitute a felony of the third degree. Several other measures,
as described in the resolution, are also proposed in an effort to
combat this very serious problem.
Recommend approval of Resolution No. 20-96.
ref:agmemo4
cITY 'COMMISSION BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
....... ..... ,996'
Dear Child Advocates:
Today, in an effort to help fight the ever escalating problems associated with
teen pregnancy in our state, the Board of County Commissioners in Highlands
County took a strong proactive position by adopting the attached Resolution, which
officially endorses State House Bill 257 and its companion bill in the Senate, Senate
Bill 200. A copy of this Resolution is being sent to ail State Senators and State
Representatives.
Additionally, I am asking governmental bodies, groups, organizations, and
your constituents to take similar actions to support these bills.
For years I have had serious concerns about teenage pregnancy in our
country. This social epidemic is costing taxpayers millions of dollars annually in
Florida alone. Additionally, from a first hand experience, I am acutely aware of the
emotional, social, and economic devastation experienced by many young girls who
become pregnant by adult males.
Please consider the following startling statements contained in the 1995
Annual Report on the Impact of Teena2e Pre~nancy in Florida. This report was
developed by the Florida Education and Employment Council for Women and
Girls:
Nearly 3 out of every 4 teen age pregnancies can be traced back to an adult male~
many 10-15 years older than the girl. Adult men father 77% of births among
high school-age girls, and 51% of births among junior high school-age girls.
· Florida ranked 12th highest in the nation for births to girls ages 15-17 in 1992.
· Figures from 1994 show that Florida had one of the highest teen pregnancy rates
in the country with over 17,487 babies born to teenage mothers.
· ' One study found that 66% of the teenagers who became pregnant were sexual~
abused with histories of rape, sexual abuse and physical abuse.
· Nearly 60% of adolescents giving birth for the first time have their delivery fees
covered by public funds.
Please actively and visibly support HB257/SB200.
Sincerely,
Doris Gentry, Chairman ] ~ ]~o I q &
Board of County Commissioners L~.~C_ITY CLERK
Highlands County, Florida -- r ...........
P.O. BOX 1926 Sebring, Florida 33871 - 1926
FAX (941) 386-6507
RESOLUTION NOr96-
Resolution Endorsing State House Bill 257 and
companion State Senate Bill 200
Whereas, on November 16, 1995, State Representative Tom Warner,
District 82 - Smart, filed House Bill 257, which would make it an act of child
abuse pursuant to F.S. 827.04 (4) for a person 21 years of age or older to
impregnate a child under 16 years of age, and that such crime would constitute a
felony of the third degree; and
Whereas, on November 14, 1995, State Senator Locke Burt, 16th District
- Ormond Beach/Deland, pre-filed Senate Bill 200, which is a companion bill to
HB 257; and
Whereas, both HB 257 and SB 200 also requires a young mother under the
age of 16 to name the child's father and to provide a DNA sample from the baby
before she can receive any £mancial assistance; and
Whereas, both HB 257 and SB 200 would permit a young mother who
refuses to identify the father of her child to be charged with a misdemeanor of the
second degree; and
Whereas, both HB 257 and SB 200 is designed to close the loopholes in
the current Statutory Rape laws in that consent of a young girl under the age of 16
to sexual relations with an adult male, 21 years of age and older, or the girl's lack
of a chastity, will no longer be a defense since the bills clearly state that the
offense is child abuse; and
Whereas, according to the 1995 Annual Report on the Impact of Teenage
Pregnancy in Florida, which was developed by the Florida Education and
Employment Council for Women and Girl~ 3 out of every 4 teen age
pregnancies can be traced back to an adult male, many 10-15 years older than the
girl; and
Whereas, according to the same report cited above, adult men father 77%
of births among high school-age girls, and 51% of births among junior high
school-age girls; and
Whereas, it is estimated that teenage pregnancies in Florida cost taxpayers
nearly 1.2 billion annually, when factoring in regular and at-risk prenatal care,
emergency room and hospitalization, perinatal intensive care, re-hospitalization,
special education, developmental services, AFDC, Medicaid, crimes and child
abuse; and
Whereas, one study found that 66% of the teenagers who become pregnant
were sexually abused with histories of rape, sexual abuse and physical abuse; and
Whereas, it is reported that 60% of adolescents giving birth for the first
time have their delivery fees covered by public funds; and
Whereas, it is recognized that in Highlands County alone over the past 5
years, that 307 girls, ages 16 years of age and younger, have given birth, and that
this startling statistic reflects actual births to young teen residents in Highlands
County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HIGHLANDS
COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS categorically, and
without reservations, endorses House Bill 257 and its companion bill, Senate
Bill 200~ and that all State Representatives and State Senators are strongly
urged to support these bills.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE HIGHLANDS COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS hereby directs that a copy of this
Resolution be forwarded to Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, members of the
Florida Senate, members of the Florida House of Representatives, County
Commission Chairs throughout the State of Florida, Executive Director - Florida
Association of Counties, Florida Association of County Social Service Executives,
all Mayors in the State of Florida, Florida League of Cities, Children'~.$er~Ces ..
Councils of Florida, State Health & Human Services Board Chairs~ an"d. th6
Highlands County School Board Members.
ATTEST .-'.'.": ............... :~t5 '?..
.,-"r~' ~' ." '.o'~:.. -~ -=.':'-~ ~ .r~r~:,,~q ~ - .~-
~..~,, ~r-,= ,::'~ ' Doris Gentry, Chairman
. ~-_~... ...'~g . .
Clerk of Court ~ o2... ...",.:~g Board of County Cornnuss~oners
~'>o~ ............... .,~','~ Highlands County, Florida