AB 620 — Coroner: sudden unexplained death in childhood.

Summary

Existing law requires the coroner to inquire into and determine the circumstances, manner, and cause of certain deaths, including, but not limited to, a sudden or unusual death. Existing law, with certain exceptions, requires the coroner to, among other things, perform an autopsy, within 24 hours or as soon thereafter as feasible, in any case where an infant under one year of age has died suddenly and unexpectedly and authorizes the coroner to take tissue samples without parental consent. This bill would, in addition, define "sudden unexplained death in childhood" as the sudden death of a child one year of age or older but under 18 years of age that is unexplained by the history of the child and for which a thorough postmortem examination fails to demonstrate an adequate cause of death. The bill would require the coroner to notify the parent or responsible adult of a child within that definition about the importance of taking tissue samples. The bill would exempt the coroner from liability for damages in a civil action for any act or omission done in compliance with these provisions. By expanding the duties of coroners, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Bill Text

• Chaptered 10/08/19 - Chaptered Current pdf October 08, 2019
• Enrolled 09/13/19 - Enrolled pdf September 13, 2019
• Amended 06/24/19 - Amended Senate pdf June 24, 2019
• Introduced 02/15/19 - Introduced pdf February 15, 2019
• AB620 View text html

Action History

1. October 08, 2019

   Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 614, Statutes of 2019.

2. October 08, 2019

   Approved by the Governor.

3. September 18, 2019

   Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.

4. September 10, 2019

   Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 71. Noes 1. Page 3314.).

5. September 05, 2019

   In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after September 7 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.

6. September 04, 2019

   Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2512.).

7. August 13, 2019

   Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

8. August 12, 2019

   From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.

9. June 24, 2019

   Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

10. June 20, 2019

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 18).

11. June 11, 2019

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 11). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

12. May 29, 2019

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

13. May 08, 2019

    Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and JUD.

14. April 25, 2019

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

15. April 25, 2019

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 70. Noes 1. Page 1348.)

16. April 04, 2019

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

17. April 03, 2019

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 3).

18. March 26, 2019

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 26). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

19. February 28, 2019

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

20. February 19, 2019

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.

21. February 15, 2019

    Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

• Cooley · Primary

Votes

Subjects