CHAPTER 673. SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME - Texas Statutes

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE

TITLE 8. DEATH AND DISPOSITION OF THE BODY

SUBTITLE A. DEATH

CHAPTER 673. SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME

Sec. 673.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of health.

(2) "Department" means the Texas Department of Health.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.

Sec. 673.002. AUTOPSY. (a) The death in this state of a child

12 months old or younger shall be immediately reported to the

justice of the peace, medical examiner, or other proper official

as prescribed by law if the child dies suddenly or is found dead

and if the cause of death is unknown.

(b) The justice of the peace or medical examiner shall inform

the child's legal guardian or parents that an autopsy shall be

performed on the child. The state shall reimburse a county $500

for the cost of the autopsy if the primary cause of death of the

child is sudden infant death syndrome. The department shall adopt

rules that:

(1) define sudden infant death syndrome; and

(2) describe the method for obtaining reimbursement for the cost

of an autopsy.

(c) Reimbursement required by Subsection (b) of this section is

subject to the availability of funds.

(d) After the autopsy is completed, the child's parents or legal

guardian shall be notified of the autopsy results.

(e) This section does not affect the duties of the justice of

the peace or medical examiner prescribed by other laws.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.

Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 785, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1999.

Sec. 673.003. DESIGNATION OF SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME AS

PRIMARY CAUSE OF DEATH. Sudden infant death syndrome may be used

as a primary cause of death on a death certificate required by

Chapter 193.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.

Sec. 673.004. MODEL PROGRAM. (a) The department shall develop

a model program that can be used to provide information and

follow-up consultation about sudden infant death syndrome and its

characteristic grief-guilt reaction. The program should humanize

and maximize understanding and the handling of sudden infant

death syndrome in this state.

(b) The department shall distribute the program to proper

agencies, governmental bodies, officials, physicians, nurses,

health professionals, and citizens.

(c) The department may appoint an advisory committee to provide

assistance in developing the program.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.