By Van de Putte                                       H.B. No. 2061
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-1                                AN ACT
    1-2  relating to the collection and preservation of information and
    1-3  evidence in cases of sudden and unexpected child deaths.
    1-4        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-5        SECTION 1.  Chapter 44, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
    1-6  adding Subchapter C to read as follows:
    1-7        SUBCHAPTER C.  COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE
    1-8                            OF CHILD DEATH
    1-9        Sec 44.041.  EVIDENCE COLLECTION PROTOCOL.  (a)  The service
   1-10  shall develop a child death investigation protocol relating to
   1-11  cases of sudden and unexpected child death that shall include
   1-12  indications and procedures for autopsy and criminal investigation.
   1-13        (b)  In developing a child death investigation protocol, the
   1-14  service shall consult with individuals and organizations having
   1-15  knowledge and experience in the issues of child abuse and child
   1-16  deaths.
   1-17        SECTION 2.  The Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Service
   1-18  shall develop the protocol required by this Act within one year
   1-19  after the effective date of this Act.  Implementation shall begin
   1-20  immediately.
   1-21        SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
   1-22  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   1-23  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
    2-1  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
    2-2  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
    2-3  and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
    2-4  passage, and it is so enacted.