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Kentucky Revised Statutes Title XVIII. Public Health § 211.686.Authorization for coroners to establish local child fatality response teams; confidentiality of team proceedings and records

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) A local child fatality response team may be established in every county or group of contiguous counties by the coroner or coroners with jurisdiction in the county or counties. The local coroner may authorize the creation of additional local teams within the coroner's jurisdiction as needed.

(2) Membership of local teams may include representatives of the coroner, the local office of the Department for Community Based Services, law enforcement agencies with investigation responsibilities for child fatalities which occur within the jurisdiction of the local team, the Commonwealth's and county attorneys, representatives of the medical profession, and other members whose participation the local team believes is important to carry out its purpose. Each local team member shall be appointed by the agency the member is representing and shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

(3) The purpose of the local child fatality response teams shall be to:

(a) Allow each member to share specific and unique information with the local team;

(b) Generate overall investigative direction and emphasis through team coordination and sharing of specialized information;

(c) Create a body of information that will assist in the coroner's effort to accurately identify the cause and reasons for death; and

(d) Facilitate the appropriate response by each member agency to the fatality, including but not limited to, intervention on behalf of others who may be adversely affected by the situation, implementation of health services necessary for protection of other citizens, further investigation by law enforcement, or legal action by Commonwealth's or county attorneys.

(4) Local teams may:

(a) Analyze information regarding local child fatalities to identify trends, patterns, and risk factors;

(b) Recommend to the state teams established under KRS 211.684, and any other entities deemed appropriate, changes in state or local programs, legislation, administrative regulations, policies, budgets, and treatment and service standards which may facilitate strategies for prevention and reduce the number of child fatalities; and

(c) Evaluate the effectiveness of local prevention and intervention strategies.

(5) Local teams may establish a protocol for the investigation of child fatalities and may establish operating rules and procedures as deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(6) The review of a child fatality by a local team may include information from reports generated or received by agencies, organizations, or individuals that are responsible for investigation, prosecution, or treatment in the case.

(7) The proceedings, records, opinions, and deliberations of local teams shall be privileged and shall not be subject to discovery, subpoena, or introduction into evidence in any civil action in any manner that would directly or indirectly identify specific persons or cases reviewed by local teams. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to restrict or limit the right to discover or use in any civil action any evidence that is discoverable independent of the proceedings of local teams.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Kentucky Revised Statutes Title XVIII. Public Health § 211.686.Authorization for coroners to establish local child fatality response teams; confidentiality of team proceedings and records - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ky/title-xviii-public-health/ky-rev-st-sect-211-686/

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