This bill amends existing Oklahoma law regarding medicolegal investigations, specifically focusing on sudden unexplained infant deaths and related cases. 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 broadens the applicability of investigation requirements for these cases, mandating that medical examiners conduct thorough investigations within 48 hours of a sudden and unexpected death, including autopsies, toxicology studies, and reviews of medical records. Additionally, it requires documentation of immunizations and emergency countermeasures administered to the deceased within 90 days prior to death and mandates reporting to the SUID and SDY Case Registry.

Furthermore, the bill confers rights to parents or legal guardians regarding consent for investigations, allowing them to refuse consent unless a crime is suspected or the death falls under mandatory investigation categories. It also updates the list of deaths that require investigation, explicitly including those related to SIDS, SUID, SDY, and SADS. The bill will be recodified and is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 63-938