36-2291

36-2291. Unexplained infant death advisory council; report

A. The unexplained infant death advisory council is established consisting of the following members:

1. One county medical examiner who is appointed by the director of the department of health services.

2. One professional nurse who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 15 and who is appointed by the director of the department of health services.

3. One physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17, who has expertise in unexplained infant death and who is appointed by the director of the department of health services.

4. One person who is appointed by the Arizona peace officer standards and training board.

5. The state fire marshal or the fire marshal's designee.

6. Two persons who have expertise in unexplained infant death and who are appointed by the director of the department of health services.

7. Two representatives from an Arizona unexplained infant death organization who are appointed by the director of the department of health services.

8. The medical director of the office of emergency medical services.

9. One prosecutor who is appointed by the Arizona prosecuting attorneys' advisory council.

B. Appointed members serve three year terms.

C. The unexplained infant death advisory council shall:

1. Assist the department of health services in developing unexplained infant death training and educational programs.

2. Inform the governor and the legislature of the need for specific programs regarding unexplained infant death.

3. Approve and periodically review the infant death investigation checklist developed by the department of health services pursuant to section 36-2293. In approving and reviewing the checklist, the council shall consider guidelines endorsed by national infant death organizations.

D. For the purposes of subsection C, paragraphs 1 and 2 of this section, the unexplained infant death advisory council may also consider issues relating to stillborn infants.

E. Members of the council are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2.

F. Clerical and administrative support for the council shall be provided by the office of maternal and child health.

G. The department of health services shall submit an annual report of the incidences of stillborn infants and the reported causes of death for the previous year to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and shall provide a copy of this report to the unexplained infant death advisory council, the secretary of state and the director of the Arizona state library, archives and public records.