SB 2607

This bill requires the county medical examiner to ensure that an autopsy performed in the case of an infant or child who dies suddenly and unexpectedly to include microscopic and toxicology studies and a review of the child's immunization and medical rec ords. This includes cases of s udden infant death syndrome (SIDS), s udden u nexpected i nfant d eath (SUID), or s udden death in the young (SDY) . The county medical examiner must document in the autopsy report any immunizations or emergency countermeasures adm inistered to the child in the 90 days before the date of the child's death. The case must be reported to the SUID or SDY case registry within 30 days after the completion of the autopsy report. If a sudden death is suspected to be caused by s udden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) in an individual of any age, then this bill requires the county medical examiner to ensure the autopsy includes microscopic and toxicology studies and a review of the individual's immunization and medical records. The county medical examiner must docume nt in the autopsy report any immunizations or emergency countermeasures administered to the individual within 90 days before the date of the individual's death. If the i ndividual is younger than 20, then the county medical examiner must report the case to the SUID or SDY case registry within 30 days after the completion of the autopsy report. ENFORCEMENT This bill must be enforced by the commissioner of health. A person who violates its provisions is subject to a civil penalty of up to (i) $1,000 for the first unreported case in violation or (ii) $5,000 for a second or subsequent unreported case in viol ation. The commissioner must notify the board of medical examiners or board of osteopathic examination of a medical examiner who has committed two or more violations. Multiple violations may subject a medical examiner to discipline by the medical examin er 's licensing board. PERMISSIBLE DISCLOSURE This bill clarifies that a healthcare provider's disclosure of relevant information in compliance with its provisions is a permissible disclosure under the laws of this state.