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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,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §261, sub-§6-A  is enacted to read:
 
6-A.  Duty to report; notification.   A physician, physician assistant or nurse who was the primary care provider for a woman who died during pregnancy or within 42 days of giving birth or a child who died within 1 year of birth shall within 30 days after the death of that person report the death to the panel in the manner specified by rule adopted by the panel. A person who reports a death to the panel under this subsection shall, at the time of death or of making the report, provide notice to the parent or parents or other authorized representative of the deceased person of the report to the panel.
Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §261, sub-§11, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 467, §1, is repealed.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.