Assigned to HEA & JUD                                                                                                             FOR COMMITTEE

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1105

 

sudden infant death syndrome; protocols

 

Purpose

 

            Requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to establish death scene investigation protocols for suspected sudden infant deaths.

 

Background

 

            Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a postmortem diagnosis used when no known or possible cause for an infant’s death can be found following a thorough autopsy, death scene investigation and review of medical history.   According to DHS, Arizona had 35 deaths attributed to SIDS in 1999.  This is a 70.6 percent decrease in the SIDS rate over a ten-year period.

 

            Local police departments investigate cases of suspected sudden infant deaths.  Cause of death may be difficult to determine in these cases because of an infant’s size.  There is some concern that child abuse cases may be misdiagnosed as SIDS.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, cases of child abuse fatalities misdiagnosed as SIDS are uncommon.  A 1994 policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics estimated that cases of sudden infant death thought to be SIDS were correct 95-98 percent of the time.

 

            In 1996, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established standardized death scene investigation guidelines for suspected sudden infant deaths.  The guidelines are intended for coroners, medical examiners and police officers.  Using a standardized protocol ensures cases of child abuse are properly identified and can help eliminate situations of mistaken suspicion, accusations and sometimes prosecution of innocent parents or caregivers, according to the SIDS Alliance.

 

            There is no cost related to the provisions of this measure.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Requires DHS to establish death scene investigation protocols for suspected sudden infant deaths.

 

2.      Prescribes the following minimum protocol requirements:

 

  1. Requires an investigator to complete a sudden unexplained infant death investigation report form.
  2. Requires an investigator to examine the scene where the infant was found.
  3. Specifies that the infant’s caretakers be questioned in a nonaccusatory manner to elicit the most information.

 

3.      Requires DHS to submit the form to the Sudden Infant Death Advisory Council for approval.

 

4.      Directs DHS to update the form as necessary to comply with guidelines established by the National Sudden Infant Death Alliance and the National SIDS and Infant Death Program Support Center.

 

5.      Defines “sudden infant death.”

 

6.      Specifies this act is to be known as “Brandon’s Law.”

 

7.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

January 19, 2001