Training for shaken baby syndrome (new law)

Signed April 27 by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a new law will increase shaken baby syndrome training for certain providers caring for children up to age 5. The law takes effect Aug. 1, 2009.

Sponsored by Rep. Phil Sterner (DFL-Rosemount) and Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes (DFL-Winona), the law requires 30 minutes of training for both shaken baby syndrome and sudden infant death syndrome for licensed chemical dependency treatment programs that serve clients with children, licensed child care centers and providers, and child foster care providers that care for children. The training is required at least once every five years.

Current training is only required for those caring for infants.

“Most people do not know that shaken baby syndrome not only affects infants, but children up to the age of 5,” said Sterner during a House floor debate. An estimated 1,500 to 3,000 children are diagnosed with the syndrome each year, he said.

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