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213.161 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Program.

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213.161 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Program. (1) In order to obtain information which may be useful to research organizations studying the causes and incidence of the sudden infant death syndrome, a program <br>is hereby established in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The purpose of <br>this program shall be to obtain factual information concerning the characteristics, <br>incidence, and distribution of the sudden infant death syndrome throughout the <br>Commonwealth and to provide a means of public education concerning any <br>research findings which may lead to the possible means of prevention, early <br>identification, and treatment of children susceptible to the sudden infant death <br>syndrome. (2) In instances where an ostensibly healthy child dies suddenly and unexpectedly with no known or apparent cause as determined by a physician or a coroner, an autopsy <br>with the written approval of the parents or legal guardian of the child shall be <br>performed within forty-eight (48) hours and the results reported to the cabinet and <br>to the parents or legal guardian of the child. (3) In order to implement the provisions of this section, the secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall: <br>(a) Promulgate administrative regulations as may be necessary in order to obtain in proper form all information relating to the occurrence of sudden infant <br>deaths which is relevant and appropriate for the establishment of a reliable <br>statistical index of the incidence, distribution, and characteristics of cases of <br>the sudden infant death syndrome; (b) Collect such factual information from physicians, coroners, medical examiners, hospitals, and public health officials who have examined any child <br>known or believed to have the sudden infant death syndrome; (c) Make such factual information available to physicians, coroners, medical examiners, hospitals, public health officials, and educational and institutional <br>organizations conducting research as to the causes and incidence of the sudden <br>infant death syndrome; (d) Cause appropriate counseling services to be established and maintained for families affected by the occurrence of the sudden infant death syndrome; and (e) Conduct educational programs to inform the general public of any research findings of educational and institutional organizations which may lead to the <br>possible means of prevention, early identification, and treatment of the sudden <br>infant death syndrome. Effective: June 20, 2005 <br>History: Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 99, sec. 444, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 426, sec. 392, effective July 15, 1998. -- Created 1990 Ky. Acts <br>ch. 369, sec. 32, effective July 13, 1990.