KRS 211.686: Authorization for coroners to establish local child fatality response teams -

- Confidentiality of team proceedings and records.

(1) A local child fatality response team may be established in every county or group of

contiguous counties by t he 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 appr opriate, 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 p roceedings, 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.