BILL ANALYSIS
By: Lucio
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, there are no laws in place to help educate parents about and prevent shaken baby syndrome (SBS). The bill seeks to prevent cases of SBS by increasing parental awareness about the issue. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is required to create an informational brochure about SBS, which would be posted on the DSHS website. The bill also requires that all hospitals, birthing centers, and midwives be required to present new parents with written or verbal information about SBS shortly after their child's birth.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
The bill requires the DSHS to create an informational pamphlet about SBS. The pamphlet is to be provided to the mother, father or another adult caregiver for the infant. The information is to now include organizations that provide assistance relating to postpartum depression and other emotional trauma associated with pregnancy and parenting, information regarding the prevention of SBS to include; how to cope with anger, prevention, dangerous effects and symptoms of SBS, a list of required childhood immunizations, and schedule for follow-up procedures for newborn screening. Documentation that the woman has received the above information is to be retained for at least five years, instead of three. A hospital, birthing center, physician, nurse midwife, or midwife may use the pamphlet or another that contains the required information.
The bill requires DSHS to make a printable version of the pamphlet available on the department's website and update the resources and required immunizations quarterly. The department is also charged with coordinate funding for the development, publication, and distribution of the informational pamphlet with other health and human services agencies, and solicit funding to carry out this Act through means other than appropriations, such as gifts, grants, and sales of sponsorship or advertising.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005.