An Act relative to supporting families dealing with sudden unexplained death in pediatrics

This bill requires the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to provide genetic testing and bereavement support to families of children who die suddenly and unexpectedly, excluding cases of homicide, suicide, or known causes. It mandates that the office refer any undetermined death of a child three years old or younger to the Massachusetts Center for Unexpected Infant and Child Death at Boston Medical Center for counseling and grief support within three days of receiving the body. The law applies to various types of sudden unexplained child deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome and other cases likely to remain unexplained after a standard autopsy.