SCS/SB 342 - This act establishes the Perinatal Advisory Council, which shall be comprised of representatives from specified community and health organizations and professions. After receiving public input, the Council shall make recommendations for the division of the state into neonatal and maternal care regions. The Council shall establish criteria for levels of birthing center care and base its levels of care designations upon evidence and best practices as identified by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. By January 1, 2016, and every year thereafter, hospital license applications shall include the appropriate level of maternal care and neonatal care designations as determined by the Council. By the same date, any hospital operated by a state university shall report to the Department of Health and Senior Services, upon the Department's request, the appropriate level of maternal care designation and neonatal care designation. The Department may partner with appropriate nationally recognized nonprofit organizations with relevant expertise to administer the provisions of this act. This act is similar to HB 735 (2015) and provisions in HCS/SCS/SB 35 (2015), HCS/SCS/SB 107 (2015), HCS/SCS/SB 146 (2015), HCS/SCS/SB 197 (2015), HCS/SCS/SB 230 (2015), HCS/SS/SCS/SB 354 (2015), and HCS/SB 533 (2015).
SARAH HASKINS