N.Y. Public Health Law § 2500-b: Sudden infant death syndrome

§ 2500-b. Sudden infant death syndrome. (a) Declaration of policy.

Occurrence of sudden deaths of infants is a tragedy for the child, the

family and the community, and a matter of vital concern to the public

health. In order to provide for the protection and promotion of the

health of the inhabitants of the state, the department of health shall

have the central and comprehensive responsibility for the development

and administration of the state's policy with respect thereto.

(b) The commissioner shall establish a program to study the sudden

deaths of infants which are unexpected by medical history, and for which

adequate causes of death have not been demonstrated.

(c) Such program may initially consist of pilot projects which shall

include epidemiological investigation, family counseling and evaluation

in order to identify the major risk factors in sudden infant deaths with

the objective of preventing such deaths.