Committee advances GBI-sponsored bill to modernize child fatality review, extends reporting timelines and adds school-system representation

A committee approved Senate Bill 383, an agency bill presented by Representative Kirkpatrick on behalf of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, after sponsors said the changes would modernize the state’s child fatality review structure and emphasize prevention.

Representative Kirkpatrick told the committee the Georgia Child Fatality Review Panel, housed at the GBI, seeks to reduce child fatalities by identifying preventable factors and recommending interventions. SB 383 clarifies duties and functions of local review committees (present in every county), modernizes outdated technology, adds a local school-system representative to local committees, and revises reporting timelines to produce more realistic review schedules.

Sponsor and GBI staff described specific timeline edits: preliminary reporting that was previously tied to a 48-hour window was adjusted to allow up to seven days for a coroner or examiner to provide a preliminary report to the committee chair—sponsors said this allows time to gather medical records and determine whether autopsy or additional examinations are required. The bill also sets a 90-day window for final committee reports, replacing an earlier 20-day final-report requirement the sponsors said was unrealistic.

In questioning, Representative Taylor pressed whether a preliminary report should take seven days; GBI staff replied that the change is intended to accommodate time needed to collect records and does not delay death certificates or family processes. Representative Sharper asked whether daycare operators would have standing representation; GBI staff said local committees can invite daycare or other representatives on a case-by-case basis when relevant, rather than adding a standing daycare seat.

After discussion the committee approved SB 383 by voice vote; the transcript records a motion and a second but does not include a roll-call tally. The sponsor was instructed to file a rules form to advance the bill.

Next steps: sponsor to submit rules form; bill proceeds to the chamber rules/floor scheduling process.