SB 1948

In the case of an infant or child who dies suddenly and unexpectedly, including cases of s udden infant death syndrome ( SIDS ) , s udden unexpected infant death ( SUID ) , or s udden death in the young ( SDY ) , this bill requires the county medical examiner to ensure that the autopsy includes microscopic and toxicology studies and a review of the child's immunization and medical records, as available through this state's vaccine registry, from the child's pediatrician or primary care healthcare provider, or fr om oth er sources. The county medical examiner must document in the autopsy report any immunizations or emergency countermeasures administered to the child within 90 days before the date of the child's death. The county medical examiner must report the case to the SUID and SDY Case Registry within 30 days after the date the county medical examiner completes the autopsy report, and in accordance with protocols established by the department of health and the federal centers for disease control and prevention. SUDDEN ARRHYTHMIC DEATH SYNDROME (SADS) In the case of a sudden death suspected to be caused by s udden arrhythmic death syndrome ( SADS ) in an individual of any age, this bill requires the county medical examiner to ensure that the autopsy includes microscopic and toxicology studies and a review of the individual's immunization and medical records, as available through state health databases or other sources. The county medical examiner must document in the autopsy report any immunizations or emergency countermeasures administered to the individ ual within 90 days before the date of death. If the individual was younger than 20 at the time of death, then the county medical examiner must report the case to the SUID and SDY Case Registry within 30 days after the date the county medical examiner completes the autopsy report, and in accordance with protocols established by the department of health and the federal centers for disease control and prevention. ENFORCEMENT – PENALTIES This bill requires the commissioner of health to enforce this bill . A person who violates this bill , or rules promulgated pursuant to this bill , is subject to a civil penalty of up to (i) $1,000 for the first unreported case in violation of this bill or (ii) $5,000 for a second or subsequent unreported case in violation of this bill. This bill requires the commissioner to notify the board of medical examiners or board of osteopathic examination, as appropriate, of a medical examiner who the commissioner determines has committed two or more violations. Multiple violations may subject a medical examiner to discipline by the medical examiner's licensing board, which may include the suspension or revocation of the medical examiner's license. PERMISSIBLE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION This bill clarifies that a healthcare provider's disclosure of relevant information in compliance with the reporting and documentation requirements of this bill , including protected health information, is deemed a permissible disclosure under the law of this state .