2005 Texas Health & Safety Code CHAPTER 673. SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME

HEALTH & SAFETY CODE

CHAPTER 673. SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.                    


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.  Amended 
by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 785, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.                    


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.