This bill amends section 406.11 of the Florida Statutes to enhance the responsibilities of medical examiners regarding autopsies for sudden and unexpected deaths, particularly in young individuals. It introduces definitions for terms such as Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS), Sudden Death in the Young (SDY), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). The bill mandates that autopsies for these cases include specific studies and a review of the deceased’s immunization and medical records. Medical examiners are required to document this information in autopsy reports and report relevant cases to the national SUID and SDY Case Registry, following protocols established by the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Additionally, the bill establishes administrative penalties for medical examiners who fail to report these cases within a specified timeframe, with fines escalating for repeated noncompliance. It also clarifies that compliance with these reporting and documentation requirements is considered a permissible disclosure under state and federal medical privacy laws. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.
https://fastdemocracy.com/bill-search/fl/2026/bills/FLB00033673/
- Senator Ileana Garcia introduced SB 188, which would make Florida the first state to mandate that medical examiners document and review recent immunization records in cases of:
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)
- Sudden Death in the Young (SDY)
- Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS)
- The bill amends Section 406.11 of the Florida Statutes, which governs autopsy procedures for unexplained or suspicious deaths.