FINAL BILL REPORT

                           ESB 5205

                           C 41 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Modifying review of infant and child mortality rates.

SPONSORS: Senators Wojahn, Moyer, Sheldon, Erwin, Fraser, Winsley, Prentice, Niemi and Talmadge

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

BACKGROUND:

Due to a high rate of infant mortality in this state the Legislature authorized local health departments to create infant mortality review teams.  The teams review infant deaths to identify and address the preventable causes of infant mortality.

All records, reports, and statements procured or used by the review teams are confidential.  This material is protected from discovery in all legal proceedings.  Local health department officials and employees, and review team members are immune from any legal proceedings which concern the mortality review.

It has been suggested that the process used in examining infant mortality cases may also be useful in examining and addressing the causes of death for children 18 years of age and younger.

SUMMARY:

Local health departments are authorized to conduct child mortality reviews for all deaths of children under age 18.  The records and reports used for the reviews remain confidential and may not be discovered in any legal proceedings.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    45   2

House     97   0

EFFECTIVE:July 25, 1993