Sec. 674.002. REVIEW TEAM. (a) A fetal and infant mortality review team may be established only:

(1) by a local health authority or other local health official or by the Department of State Health Services; or

(2) under a contract or in accordance with a memorandum of agreement with a local health authority or other local health official or the Department of State Health Services.

(b) Local health authorities or other local health officials for two or more adjacent counties or municipalities may join to establish a joint review team.

(c) A review team must be composed of culturally diverse members representing multiple disciplines, including professionals and representatives of agencies that provide services or community resources for families in the community and community representatives. The review team may include:

(1) a physician, including a pediatrician, an obstetrician, or a physician practicing in another relevant specialty;

(2) a registered nurse;

(3) a certified nurse-midwife or licensed midwife;

(4) a county attorney or a designee of a county attorney;

(5) a representative of a school district;

(6) a representative of the local health department;

(7) a forensic pathologist;

(8) a mental health professional;

(9) a representative from a local hospital;

(10) a local registrar of births and deaths;

(11) a person working in a supervisory position in local administration of the state Medicaid program;

(12) a person working with local implementation of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children;

(13) an educator;

(14) a pastoral counselor;

(15) a member of the health committee of a chamber of commerce; and

(16) other community representatives.

(d) Members of a review team may select additional members according to the resources of the review team and its needs.

(e) The review team shall select a presiding officer from its members.

(f) A local health authority or other local health official or the Department of State Health Services is not required to establish a review team for a particular municipality or county.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 488 (S.B. 143), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.