Minnesota Session Laws - 1984, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1984 

                        CHAPTER 637-S.F.No. 2102 
           An act relating to health; providing counseling and 
          educational services for sudden infant death syndrome 
          families; encouraging autopsies on victims of sudden 
          infant death syndrome; requiring the report of sudden 
          infant death to the registrar of vital statistics; 
          amending Minnesota Statutes 1982, sections 144.07; 
          144.222; and 390.11. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1982, section 144.07, is 
amended to read: 
    144.07 [POWERS OF COMMISSIONER.] 
    The commissioner may: 
    (1) make all reasonable rules and regulations necessary to 
carry into effect the provisions of sections 144.06, 144.07, and 
144.09, and may amend, alter, or repeal such rules or 
regulations; 
    (2) accept private gifts for the purpose of carrying out 
the provisions of those sections; 
    (3) cooperate with agencies, whether city, state, federal, 
or private, which carry on work for maternal and infant hygiene; 
and 
    (4) make investigations and recommendations for the purpose 
of improving maternity care;  
    (5) promote programs and services available in Minnesota 
for parents and families of victims of sudden infant death 
syndrome; and 
    (6) collect and report to the legislature the most current 
information regarding the frequency and causes of sudden infant 
death syndrome. 
    The commissioner shall include in his report to the 
legislature a statement of the operation of those sections. 
    Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1982, section 144.222, is 
amended to read: 
    144.222 [REPORTS OF FETAL OR INFANT DEATH.] 
    Subdivision 1.  Each fetal death which occurs in this state 
shall be reported within five days to the state registrar as 
prescribed by rule by the commissioner.  
    Subd. 2.  Each infant death which is diagnosed as sudden 
infant death syndrome shall be reported promptly to the state 
registrar.  
    Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1982, section 390.11, is 
amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
    Subd. 10.  If a child under the age of two years dies 
suddenly and unexpectedly under circumstances indicating that 
the death may have been caused by sudden infant death syndrome, 
the coroner, medical examiner, or personal physician shall 
notify the child's parents or guardian that an autopsy is 
essential to establish the cause of death as sudden infant death 
syndrome.  If an autopsy reveals that sudden infant death 
syndrome is the cause of death, that fact must be stated in the 
autopsy report.  The parents or guardian of the child shall be 
promptly notified of the cause of death and of the availability 
of counseling services. 
    Approved May 2, 1984