Substitute House Bill No. 7049 aims to enhance the collaboration between the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Office of the Child Advocate regarding the Infant Mortality Review Program. The bill allows the DPH commissioner to disclose confidential information and data obtained from the Infant Mortality Review Program to the Child Advocate when deemed necessary for the Advocate to fulfill their statutory duties. Additionally, the Child Advocate is permitted to share information about infant deaths (specifically those occurring within the first year of life) with the DPH commissioner for the same purpose. This exchange of information is intended to improve the effectiveness of both agencies in addressing infant mortality.

The bill also includes provisions to ensure that any data shared between the DPH and the Child Advocate remains confidential and is not subject to further disclosure or admissible as evidence in legal proceedings. The new legal language replaces existing statutes, specifically repealing subsection (f) of section 19a-59j and subsection (a) of section 46a-13n, and inserting new language that emphasizes the confidentiality of the information shared and the conditions under which it can be disclosed. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2025. Overall, the bill seeks to facilitate better data sharing to inform strategies aimed at reducing infant mortality rates without compromising the confidentiality of sensitive information.