§ 2508. Newborn health and safe sleep study. There shall be established in the department, by the commissioner, a newborn health and safe sleep study designed to reduce infant mortality rates across the state and enhance existing strategies to improve safe sleep practices. The department, in consultation with health care providers, hospitals, safe sleep product manufacturers, provider groups, the New York state office of children and family services, and any other person or entity the commissioner deems necessary, shall conduct a study on the effectiveness of existing safe sleep practices and identify additional safe sleep practices that reduce infant mortality rates. The study shall include a review of baby boxes and other products aimed at encouraging safe and healthy sleep practices. The department shall report to the legislature within twelve months of the effective date of this section on the results of this study. Within twelve months after the completion of the study, the department shall conduct a pilot program aimed at improving caregiver education and continued safe sleep practices in counties or areas with high infant mortality rates, and also shall pursue available funding options and make efforts to establish a public-private partnership with organizations that promote such causes or manufacture such products in order to seek to obtain donations for these purposes.