At the Tuesday, January 29th Board of Supervisors meeting, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe will call for more rigorous zoning restrictions to combat the rise in maternity hotels in LA County, particularly in the San Gabriel Valley.
“Across the United States, the recent trend in “birthing tourism” has led to money- making schemes that put the health and safety of mothers and babies in jeopardy,” said Supervisor Knabe. “We have had an increase in complaints from neighboring residents, concerned about the well-being of those in these homes, as well as concern about the quality-of-life in residential neighborhoods when these facilities are allowed to operate.”
In response to the January 14, 2013 Status Report on Knabe’s Board Motion Regarding Postpartum Recovery Homes, he will ask for the Board’s support to direct County Counsel to draft a proposed ordinance to regulate these boarding houses, while also calling for the CEO to lead multi-agency inspection teams. He will also request funding to assist the inspectors with additional staff and Mandarin/Cantonese translators to communicate with occupants.
“These maternity hotels have grown beyond the scope of a zoning issue. The conditions inside some of these houses are putting the lives of the mothers and babies at risk and we must do what we can to protect them and stop this illegal activity,” said Knabe.