AL HB497

Creates the Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Act to establish protocols for investigating suspected sudden unexplained infant deaths (SUID) in infants less than one year of age.

Establishes the Alabama Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation (SUIDI) Team as a subcommittee of the State Child Death Review Team within the Department of Public Health to develop and maintain investigation training curricula and approve standardized reporting forms.

Requires all law enforcement agencies and elected/appointed coroners to obtain SUIDI Team training on investigation protocol and complete reporting forms for infant deaths, with training to emphasize sensitivity to family grief.

Mandates coordination between county coroners or medical examiners, law enforcement, and forensic pathologists in SUID investigations, with investigations to be initiated within 24 hours of notification and forensic pathologists to receive copies of approved investigative forms.

Becomes effective on the first day of the sixth month following passage and approval by the Governor.