A. With respect to shaken baby syndrome, the legislature finds that this condition occurs when an infant or child is violently shaken as part of a pattern of abuse, or because an adult has momentarily succumbed to the frustration of responding to a crying infant or child. The legislature further finds that the effects of shaken baby syndrome can include brain swelling and damage, subdural hemorrhage, intellectual disability, and death.
B. With respect to sudden infant death syndrome, which is a form of sudden unexpected infant death, the legislature finds all of the following:
(1) Sudden infant death syndrome was the leading cause of postneonatal death in each year of the most recent ten-year period for which complete child mortality data is available (2002 through 2012).
(2) Even after a thorough investigation, it is difficult to distinguish sudden infant death syndrome from other sleep-related infant deaths such as from overlay or suffocation in soft bedding.
(3) Parents and caregivers can take simple steps to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant deaths.
C. The legislature hereby declares that prevention of shaken baby syndrome and prevention of sudden unexpected infant death are major public health priorities of this state.