Pennsylvania Statutes Title 11 P.S. Children § 877.3. Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Acknowledgment statement.”A form signed by a parent, acknowledging that the parent has received, read and has an understanding of the educational and instructional materials provided on sudden infant death syndrome and sudden unexpected death in infants.

“Birth center.”A facility not part of a hospital which provides maternity care to childbearing families not requiring hospitalization. As used in this definition, the term “maternity care” includes prenatal, labor, delivery and postpartum care related to medically uncomplicated pregnancies.

“Department.” The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

“Health care practitioner.”An individual who is authorized to practice some component of the healing arts by a license, permit, certificate or registration issued by a Commonwealth licensing agency or board.

“Hospital.” A for-profit or nonprofit hospital providing clinically related health services for obstetrical and newborn care, including those operated by the State, a local government or an agency. The term shall not include an office used primarily for private or group practice by health care practitioners where no reviewable clinically related health services are offered.

“Infant.” A child 30 days of age or older and younger than 24 months of age.

“Newborn.” A child 29 days of age or younger.

“Parent.” A natural parent, stepparent, adoptive parent, legal guardian or legal custodian of a child.

“Program.” The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Education and Prevention Program.

“Sudden infant death syndrome” or “SIDS.”The sudden, unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant that remains unexplained after the performance of a complete postmortem investigation, including an autopsy, an examination of the scene of death and a review of the medical history.

“Sudden unexpected death in infants” or “SUDI.”The sudden, unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant.