§ 20-27-1701 - Legislative findings and purpose. - Arkansas Statutes

20-27-1701. Legislative findings and purpose.

(a) The General Assembly finds that:

(1) The unexpected death of infants and children is an important public health concern;

(2) The collection of data on the causes of unexpected deaths will enable the State of Arkansas to protect some infants and children from preventable deaths and help reduce the incidence of these deaths; and

(3) Multidisciplinary and multiagency review of infant and child deaths can assist this state in investigating infant and child deaths, developing a greater understanding of the incidence and causes of these deaths and the methods for prevention, and identifying the gaps in services to children and families.

(b) The purpose of this subchapter is to:

(1) Identify the causes of death of children under eighteen (18) years of age; and

(2) Reduce the incidence of injury and death to children by requiring a death review to be performed in all cases of unexpected deaths of children under eighteen (18) years of age.