Section 211.686 - [Effective Until 7/15/2024] Authorization for coroners to establish local child and maternal fatality response teams - Confidentiality of team proceedings and records(1) A local child and maternal fatality response team may be established in every county or group of contiguous counties by the 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 the local team may include representatives of the coroner, the local office of the Department for Community Based Services, law enforcement agencies with investigation responsibilities for child and maternal 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 and maternal fatality response team 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) The local team may: (a) Analyze information regarding local child and maternal fatalities to identify trends, patterns, and risk factors;(b) Recommend to the state team, and any other entities deemed appropriate, 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 and maternal fatalities; and(c) Evaluate the effectiveness of local prevention and intervention strategies.(5) The local team may establish a protocol for the investigation of child and maternal fatalities and may establish operating rules and procedures as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.(6) The review of a child and maternal 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 proceedings, records, opinions, and deliberations of the local team 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 the local team. 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 the local team.Amended by 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 152,§ 4, eff. 7/14/2018.Effective:7/14/2000
Amended 2000, Ky. Acts ch. 14, sec. 43, effective7/14/2000. -- Created 1996, Ky. Acts ch. 347, sec. 4, effective 7/15/1996.This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.