SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - County coroners would be required to investigate and collect information when young children and teenagers die suddenly under a bill that has passed the Assembly.
AB2029 by Democratic Assemblyman Ken Cooley of Rancho Cordova comes after a 15-year-old boy in his district died in his sleep. He says it was a case of sudden unexplained death syndrome, which is similar to a syndrome that affects infants but far less known.
Cooley says investigation through more autopsies will help researchers learn more about what causes such deaths. His bill would apply to those ages 1 to 18.
The bill passed 53-0 after Cooley agreed to amend it to address concerns from the Jewish community, which worried that autopsies could interfere with their belief that bodies should be buried within 24 hours of death.
Cooley agreed to add a religious exemption.
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