On December 3, the House approved, by voice vote, the Sudden Unexpected Death Data Enhancement and Awareness Act (H.R. 669), as amended by the Senate. The Senate approved, by unanimous consent, the legislation on November 20. (see The Source, 11/21/14); the House approved an earlier version of the bill on September 9 (see The Source, 9/12/14). Passage of the legislation clears the measure for President Obama’s signature.
As amended, the bill will require the secretary of Health and Human Services to collect information relating to death scene investigations, clinical histories, and autopsy information on stillbirth, sudden unexpected infant death, and sudden unexplained death in childhood; disseminate information to educate the public, health care providers, and others on such deaths in childhood; and collaborate with the attorney general, state, and local departments of health, and other experts to provide consistent information to key stakeholders.
In addition, the measure will require the secretary to report to Congress a description of any activities relating to stillbirth, sudden unexpected infant death, and sudden unexplained child deaths.
