Support Transparency in Sudden Child Death Investigations in Louisiana

Louisiana lawmakers are considering legislation TODAY that would increase transparency and accountability in the investigation of sudden and unexplained deaths in children.

SB 29 would require coroners and forensic investigators to review vaccine records and document immunizations administered within 90 days prior to the unexplained death of a child under age 15. The bill would also require these cases to be reported to the federal Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and Sudden Death in the Young (SDY) registry.

Recent amendments further strengthened the legislation by requiring a child’s full medical records to be included in autopsy reports involving unexplained deaths.

Too often, families are left with unanswered questions after the sudden loss of a child. SB 29 helps ensure that all relevant medical information—including recent vaccination history—is reviewed as part of a complete and transparent investigation.

This bill does not prohibit vaccines or change vaccine recommendations. It simply promotes fuller investigation, improved reporting, and greater transparency surrounding sudden child deaths.

SB 29 is scheduled for concurrence in the full Senate on May 18, 2026.

Louisiana lawmakers need to hear from constituents NOW.

TAKE ACTION

Contact your Louisiana State Senator TODAY and ask them to SUPPORT SB 29.

Find your Louisiana legislators here:

Find Your Louisiana Legislator

Phone calls are most effective. Respectful emails help too.

SAMPLE SCRIPT

“Hello, my name is ___ and I’m a constituent from ___. I’m calling to urge Senator ___ to SUPPORT SB 29.

This bill helps ensure that sudden and unexplained child deaths are investigated thoroughly and transparently by requiring coroners and forensic investigators to review vaccine history and relevant medical records.

Families deserve complete and accurate investigations when a child dies unexpectedly.

SB 29 supports transparency, accountability, and better public health reporting.

Please vote YES on SB 29.

Thank you.”

TALKING POINTS

As of 4/24/2026, there were 2,718,801 adverse events and 50,531 deaths reported to the federal Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). A CDC-funded study found that as few as 1% of vaccine injuries may be reported, suggesting the true number could be significantly higher.

Recent studies provide evidence of a positive correlation between vaccines and infant mortality rates.

When medical examiners are unwilling to investigate vaccines as a possible cause of death, there is a legitimate reason for state legislators to create legislation that would require them to do so.

Vaccines are pharmaceutical products and, like all medical interventions, carry potential risks that should be openly studied and documented.

Medical examiners routinely review medications, toxic exposures, and medical history during death investigations. Recent immunizations should not be excluded from consideration.

Better reporting standards and fuller autopsy documentation can improve confidence in both death investigations and public health systems.

SB 29 supports scientific inquiry and transparency rather than assumptions or incomplete reporting.

Public trust depends on openness, accountability, and willingness to investigate all possible contributing factors in unexplained child deaths.

The inclusion of vaccine records in an autopsy report does not automatically determine causation. It simply ensures that potentially relevant medical information is preserved and available for review.