An Act Regarding the Maternal and Infant Death Review Panel

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the statute establishing the maternal and infant death review panel includes a repeal date of January 1, 2011; and

Whereas,  unless action is taken in the 124th Legislature to prevent the repeal, the panel's work, which furthers the public health and welfare, will cease; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §261, sub-§6-A  is enacted to read:

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §261, sub-§11,  as enacted by PL 2005, c. 467, §1, is repealed.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This bill requires health care providers to report to the maternal and infant death review panel all deaths of infants under one year of age and women during pregnancy and within 42 days of giving birth and to provide notice of the report, at the time of death or at the time of making the report, to the parent or parents or authorized representative of the deceased person. The bill repeals the ending date of January 1, 2011 of the maternal and infant death review panel.