ASSEMBLY, No. 2615

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 16, 1996

By Assemblymen ZISA, FELICE and Assemblywoman Weinberg

An Act concerning Sudden Infant Death Syndrome training for law enforcement officers and supplementing P.L.1961, c.56 (C.52:17B-66 et seq.).

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. The Police Training Commission, in conjunction with the Department of Health, shall develop and approve a training course and curriculum to educate law enforcement officers about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The course and curriculum shall be designed to inform law enforcement officers about the nature of SIDS; to develop appropriate response and investigative procedures for law enforcement officers when handling what may be SIDS fatalities; to provide suitable sensitivity and psychological training to assist law enforcement officers in dealing with the trauma and shock which devastates the parents and families of apparent victims of SIDS; and to acquaint law enforcement officers with the various counseling and support services available to the parents and families of victims of SIDS.

    The SIDS training course and curriculum developed under the provisions of this sections shall be:

    (1) Included among the courses and curriculums prescribed by the Police Training Commission as part of the compulsory training program required of all law enforcement officers under the provisions of P.L.1961, c.56 (C.52:17B-66 et seq.); and

    (2) Offered from time to time, as the Police Training Commission shall deem appropriate and necessary, as an in service training program.

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill directs the Police Training Commission, in conjunction with the Department of Health, to develop a training course and curriculum on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) for law enforcement officers.

    The course and curriculum would become part of the mandatory training program for all new law enforcement officers and, in addition, would be offered periodically as an in service training program.

    The course and curriculum are to include information on the nature of SIDS; appropriate response and investigative procedures; sensitivity and psychological training; and the availability of counseling and support services for the parents and families of SIDS victims.

    Law enforcement officers are often the first responders to a SIDS tragedy. A training program designed to educate officers about SIDS and methods and procedures for handling and responding to the trauma and shock that devastates the parents and families of SIDS victims is appropriate and within the public interest.

Requires SIDS education for law enforcement officers.