SB 703 – Strengthen Child Fatality Prevention System
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania); Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee)
Summary
This bill makes a series of changes to the current child fatality prevention system. Specifically, this bill:
- Establishes the State Office of Child Fatality Prevention and specifies the Office’s purpose, powers, and duties.
- Appropriates $389,998 in recurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and $551,861 in recurring funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to the Division of Public Health to establish and operate the Office.
- Requires DHHS to establish a transition plan to shift support to the Office, create a centralized data and reporting system, and restructure and train existing child death review teams.
- Modifies the organization, procedures, and duties, of the NC Child Fatality Task Force.
- Specifies the duties of the medical examiner child fatality staff.
- Requires participation in the National Child Death Review Case Reporting System.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021