Sec. 672.003. PURPOSE AND POWERS OF REVIEW TEAM

(a) The purpose of a review team is to decrease the incidence of preventable adult deaths by:

(1) promoting cooperation, communication, and coordination among agencies involved in responding to unexpected deaths;

(2) developing an understanding of the causes and incidence of unexpected deaths in the county or counties in which the review team is located; and

(3) advising the legislature, appropriate state agencies, and local law enforcement agencies on changes to law, policy, or practice that will reduce the number of unexpected deaths.

(b) To achieve its purpose, a review team shall:

(1) develop and implement, according to local needs and resources, appropriate protocols;

(2) meet on a regular basis to review fatality cases suspected to have resulted from suicide, family violence, or abuse and recommend methods to improve coordination of services and investigations between agencies that are represented on the team;

(3) collect and maintain data, as appropriate; and

(4) submit the report required under Section 672.008.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1486, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.