HCS HB 278 -- SUDDEN INFANT DEATH

SPONSOR:  Ladd Stokan (Carter)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Public
Health by a vote of 13 to 0.

This substitute revises the procedure for disclosing autopsy
results of children aged one week to one year who die from
sudden infant death syndrome.  The substitute requires that a
certified child death pathologist ensure that a tangible summary
of the autopsy results is provided to the parents or guardian of
the child within one week after the autopsy is performed in
addition to providing the family with information on the subject
of sudden infant death syndrome.  The Department of Health is
required to develop a form letter informing the parents or
guardian of the right to receive the full autopsy results in
cases of suspected sudden infant death syndrome.

The substitute also requires a certified child death pathologist
to release the full autopsy report to the parents, guardian, or
family physician in cases of suspected sudden infant death
syndrome within 30 days of the request by the parents or
guardian.  The tangible summary and the full autopsy report are
provided at no cost to the parents or guardian.

Currently, the Department of Health is required to share the
results of the autopsy with the parents or guardian of the
child.  A coroner or medical examiner, a certified child death
pathologist, or family physician can release the autopsy report
to the parents or guardian in cases of suspected sudden infant
death syndrome.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the intent of this bill is to
provide families with another alternative to receiving the
autopsy results of children aged one week old to one year old
who die from sudden infant death syndrome.  Families will be
provided with a tangible summary of the autopsy results with the
option of requesting the complete autopsy report.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Carter; Missouri
Bar; Department of Health; and Missouri State Medical
Association.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that there are no
standards for the content of a summary of the autopsy report.
Further, parents and guardians should be given the option to
receive a summary and the complete autopsy report if their child
dies from sudden infant death syndrome.

Testifying against the bill were Wendy Ortwerth; and SIDS
Resources Incorporated.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

HB 278 -- Sudden Infant Death

Sponsor:  Carter

This bill revises the procedure for disclosing autopsy results
of children aged one week to one year who died from sudden
infant death syndrome.  The bill requires that the Department of
Health share a summary of the autopsy results with the parents
or guardian of the child and provide the family with information
on the subject of sudden infant death syndrome.  The bill also
requires the Department of Health to provide the parents or
guardian of the child with full autopsy results on their
request. Currently, the Department of Health is required to
share the results of the autopsy with the parents or guardian of
the child.