Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.) testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in support of the Baby Observation Act, legislation aimed at expanding research into infant monitoring technology that could help prevent sudden infant deaths.

Yakym spoke during a Member Day hearing on H.R. 2168, also known as the Baby Observation Act, which seeks to increase awareness of and access to medical devices that monitor an infant’s breathing and heart rate during sleep.

“As a father, I know how overwhelming and frightening those first weeks with a newborn can be,” Yakym told the committee. He said the advocacy of the Newton family has helped bring national attention to the potential life-saving benefits of infant monitoring technology and the need for further study. Yakym also noted the legislation was championed by his late predecessor, Rep. Jackie Walorski, calling it a cause close to her heart.

The bill is named after Bo Newton, a Lakeville, Indiana native who benefited from infant monitoring technology. Supporters of the measure say additional research could help determine how such devices might reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.

According to federal data, approximately 2,500 sudden infant deaths occur each year in the United States. Sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, remains the leading cause of death among babies between one month and one year old.

If enacted, the Baby Observation Act would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to study the use of home cardiorespiratory monitors and their potential role in reducing or preventing sleep-related sudden infant death syndrome and sudden unexpected infant death.