1032 AAS 4/10/91

HB 1032 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Governmental Operations

                                                       Adopted 4/10/91 - Voice Vote

     On page 4, after line 4, insert the following:

     "NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     The legislature finds and declares that sudden and unexplained child deaths are a leading cause of death for children under age three.  The public interest is served by research and study of the potential causes and indications of such unexplained child deaths and the prevention of inaccurate and inappropriate designation of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as a cause of death.  The legislature further finds and declares that law enforcement officers, fire fighters, emergency medical technicians, and other first responders in emergency situations are not adequately informed regarding sudden, unexplained death in young children including but not limited to sudden infant death syndrome, its signs and typical history, and as a result may compound the family and child care provider's grief through conveyed suspicions of a criminal act.  Coroners, investigators, and prosecuting attorneys are also in need of updated training on the identification of unexplained death in children under the age of three, including but not limited to sudden infant death syndrome awareness and sensitivity and the establishment of a state-wide uniform protocol in cases of sudden, unexplained child death."

     "NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.  A new section is added to chapter 43.103 RCW to read as follows:

     The council shall research and develop an appropriate training component on the subject of sudden, unexplained child death, including but not limited to sudden infant death syndrome.  The training component shall include, at a minimum:

     (1) Medical information on sudden, unexplained child death for first responders, including awareness and sensitivity in dealing with families and child care providers, and the importance of forensically competent death scene investigation;

     (2) Information on community resources and support groups available to assist families who have lost a child to sudden, unexplained death, including sudden infant death syndrome;

     (3) Development and adoption of an up-to-date protocol of investigation in cases of sudden, unexplained child death, including the importance of a consistent policy of thorough death scene investigation, and an autopsy in unresolved cases as appropriate;

     (4) The value of timely communication between the county coroner or medical examiner and the public health department, when a sudden, unexplained child death occurs, in order to achieve a better understanding of such deaths, and connecting families to various community and public health support systems to enhance recovery from grief.

     The council shall work with volunteer groups with expertise in the area of sudden, unexplained child death, including but not limited to the SIDS Northwest Regional Center at Children's Hospital, the Washington chapter of the national SIDS foundation, and the Washington association of county officials.

     Upon development of an appropriate curriculum, agreed upon by the council, the training module shall be offered to first responders, coroners, medical examiners, prosecuting attorneys serving as coroners, and investigators, both voluntarily through their various associations and as a course offering at the criminal justice training center."

     Renumber the remaining section consecutively.

HB 1032 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Governmental Operations

                                                       Adopted 4/10/91 - Voice Vote

     On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "68.50 RCW;" insert "adding a new section to chapter 43.103 RCW; creating a new section;"