SB427 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Irons

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Rodger SmithermanHank SandersLinda Coleman-MadisonBobby D. SingletonVivian Davis Figures

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Infants, sudden unexplained infant death, Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Team, established, duties, coordination of county officials, law enforcement, medical or emergency personnel, immunity, Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Act

Summary

SB427 creates a state team and standardized procedures to investigate sudden unexplained infant deaths in Alabama, with mandatory training, reporting forms, and coordinated duties for law enforcement, coroners, and public health officials.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation (SUIDI) Team within the Department of Public Health as a subcommittee of the State Child Death Review Team to develop training and protocols. Investigations must use the SUIDI Team-approved protocol and reporting forms, and law enforcement and coroners must ensure their personnel are trained. The act directs the Department of Public Health to train personnel, disseminate protocols and forms, and promptly communicate changes to relevant agencies. It also outlines the process for SUID cases, including notification of the county coroner/ME, obtaining authorization to send the infant to a forensic pathologist, starting the investigation within 24 hours, and sending the investigative form to the pathologist, with an immunity provision for certain participants under specified conditions.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement agencies, and county coroners or deputy coroners: must follow the approved SUIDI protocol, ensure personnel are trained, and cooperate in SUID investigations (including timely initiation and communication of forms).
• Alabama Department of Public Health, forensic pathologists, coroners, deputy coroners, and related medical or emergency personnel: responsible for developing, disseminating, and maintaining training, protocols, and reporting forms; coordinating training and investigations across agencies.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation (SUIDI) Team within the Department of Public Health as a subcommittee of the State Child Death Review Team.
• Requires the SUIDI Team to develop, maintain, and provide training curricula; develop infant death investigation protocol; and approve standardized reporting forms.
• Investigations must use the SUIDI Team-approved protocol and forms; law enforcement agencies and coroners must ensure personnel are trained; training must address sensitivity to grieving families.
• The Alabama Department of Public Health must train personnel, disseminate protocols and forms to law enforcement and coroner associations, and promptly communicate protocol changes to agencies.
• In SUID cases, the county coroner or medical examiner must be notified and cooperate; legal authorization must be obtained to send the infant to a forensic pathologist; investigations must begin within 24 hours; a copy of the approved form must be sent to the pathologist.
• The act provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for certain persons or entities under conditions specified in the bill.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the sixth month after passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Children