S.F. 278 Section 1. Section 135.43, subsection 4, Code 2017, is 1 amended by adding the following new paragraph: 2 NEW PARAGRAPH . 0a. The state medical examiner shall appoint 3 a child fatality review committee to review the death of a 4 child under age eighteen upon the request of a member of the 5 legislature or the governor in cases in which a report of 6 suspected child abuse had been filed with the department of 7 human services pursuant to section 232.70 within the two-year 8 period immediately preceding the child’s death. 9 EXPLANATION 10 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 11 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 12 This bill relates to the duty of the medical examiner to 13 convene a child fatality review committee. A child fatality 14 review committee is appointed by the state medical examiner 15 who appoints a medical examiner, a pediatrician, and a person 16 involved with law enforcement to the committee to immediately 17 review the child abuse assessments which involve the fatality 18 of a child under 18. The bill provides that the state medical 19 examiner shall appoint a child fatality review committee upon 20 the request of a member of the legislature or the governor 21 in cases in which a report of suspected child abuse has been 22 filed with the department of human services pursuant to Code 23 section 232.70 within the two-year period immediately preceding 24 the child’s death. Code section 232.70 provides the reporting 25 procedure for mandatory and permissive reporters of child abuse 26 and the requirements of the department upon the receipt of such 27 reports. 28 -1- LSB 2263XS (2) 87 hb/rh 1/ 1