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Nichols’ bill to Help Prevent Child Fatalities Set to Become Law
Austin—Today, the Texas House unanimously approved SB 802 by Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) to help the state better understand and prevent child fatalities. SB 802, which was previously approved by the Senate, adds a member from the Texas Department of Transportation and a member from the Department of Public Safety to the State Child Fatality Review Team Committee.
Nichols, a former Commissioner of the Texas Department of Transportation, stressed the importance
The Child Fatality Review Team was established in 1995 to:
• develop an understanding of the causes and incidences of child deaths in Texas;
• identify procedures within the agencies represented to reduce preventable child deaths;
• promote public awareness; and
• make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature for changes in law, policy and practice to prevent child deaths.
“Every child fatality is a tragedy,” said Nichols. “The review board does important work to prevent such tragedies, and its membership should come from all major fields related to child protection.”
House Rep. Susan King (R-Abilene) sponsored the legislation in the House.
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