§ 3-3016

Sudden unexpected infant death and sudden infant death syndrome. Where an infant under one year of age has died suddenly and unexpectedly and the circumstances concerning the death are unexplained following investigation, an autopsy shall be performed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches who has special training in pathology. When an autopsy is conducted under this Section, the parents or guardian of the child shall receive a preliminary report of the autopsy within 5 days of the infant's death. All suspected sudden unexpected infant death and sudden infant death syndrome cases shall be reported to the Statewide Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Program within 72 hours. Death certificates shall list the cause of death as sudden unexpected infant death or sudden infant death syndrome where this finding is medically justified pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Department of Public Health. Copies of death certificates which list the cause of death of infants under one year of age as sudden unexpected infant death or sudden infant death syndrome shall be forwarded to the Department of Public Health within 30 days of the death with a report which shall include an autopsy report, epidemiological data required by the Department and other pertinent data.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 101-338, eff. 1-1-20 .)