(a) There is established a Child Fatality Review Committee. Facilities and other administrative support shall be provided by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
(b) The Committee shall:
(1) Identify and characterize the scope and nature of all child deaths in the District, particularly those that are violent, accidental, unexpected, or unexplained;
(2) In an effort to reduce the number of preventable child fatalities, examine past events and circumstances surrounding child deaths in the District by reviewing the records, files, and other pertinent documents of public and private agencies responsible for serving families and children, investigating deaths, or treating children, giving special attention to child deaths that may have been caused by abuse, negligence, or other forms of maltreatment;
(3) Develop and revise, as necessary, operating rules and procedures for the review of child deaths, including identification of cases to be reviewed, coordination among the agencies and professionals involved, and improvement of the identification, data collection, and record keeping of the causes of child death;
(4) Recommend specific and systemic improvements to promote improved and integrated public and private systems serving families and children;
(5) Recommend components for prevention and education programs; and
(6) Recommend training to improve the investigation of child deaths.
(Oct. 3, 2001, D.C. Law 14-28, § 4603, 48 DCR 6981; Nov. 13, 2021, D.C. Law 24-45, § 3073(a), 68 DCR 010163.)
This section is referenced in § 4-1303.06.
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3073(a) of Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-159, Aug. 23, 2021, 68 DCR 008602).
For temporary (90 day) addition of section, see § 3 of Child Fatality Review Committee Establishment Emergency Act of 2001 (D.C. Act 14-40, April 25, 2001, 48 DCR 5917).
For temporary (90 day) addition of section, see § 3 of Child Fatality Review Committee Establishment Legislative Review Emergency Act of 2001 (D.C. Act 14-82, July 9, 2001, 48 DCR 6355).
For temporary (225 day) addition of section, see § 2 of Child Fatality Review Committee Establishment Temporary Act of 2001 (D.C. Law 14-20, September 6, 2001, law notification 48 DCR 9090).
Delegation of Authority Pursuant to DC Act 14-40, the Child Fatality Review Committee Establishment Emergency Act of 2001, see Mayor’s Order 2001-119, August 9, 2001 ( 48 DCR 7810).
Structure District of Columbia Code
Chapter 13 - Child Abuse and Neglect
Subchapter V - Child Fatality Review Committee
§ 4–1371.03. Establishment and purpose
§ 4–1371.04. Composition of the Child Fatality Review Committee
§ 4–1371.05. Criteria for case review
§ 4–1371.06. Access to information
§ 4–1371.08. Confidentiality of proceedings
§ 4–1371.09. Confidentiality of information
§ 4–1371.10. Immunity from liability for providing information to Committee
§ 4–1371.11. Unlawful disclosure of information; penalties
§ 4–1371.12. Persons required to make reports; procedure